Pre-class 10/23 blog-Renee Sang

In the introduction to Ideology, it is simply stated that "every sign is ideological" (p. 33). Ideology has become impossibly entangled with politics and symbolizes power. In order to maintain power in our current political economy (not necessarily always the government), control of ideas and thought is crucial. Marx and Engels also touch on this concept.

I think this can also relate to our last class discussion of Zizek's idea of the spectacle. Zizek is saying that the image of something can create a spectacular effect that captures our fear and awe. This is one way in which terrorism has more effectively been able to disseminate fear from afar. In this digital and social media age, a physical act does not even need to be completed by the group to be "effective." The group can simply rely on the easy spread of information and take credit for everyday occurrences of violence or havoc to spread their influence.

The author in this section of ideology is also stating that all signs are ingrained with ideas tied to power systems, and all things are also ingrained with signs that contain these associations. Especially in modern society, control of thought and ideas is key to obtaining power, and it can be most effectively maintained if it becomes unconscious as the author notes. This naturalizing process can also be known as hegemony. The author therefore makes a good point by likening ideology to "a gigantic masquerade" (p. 34). 

I agree with the author's point that "every sign is ideological," and in fact this quote gives me some perspective on the definition and role of ideology. All things are engrained with associations, messages, and implications that are also influenced by systems and sources of power. It's important perhaps to recognize this dynamic is the reason why we strive for a critical lens in Critical Media and Cultural Studies.


Noted quotes/notes:

• "Every sign is ideological" p. 33
• ideology is "so deeply bound up with politics, domination, and issues of power" p. 33
• Marx and Engels working in the context where control of ideas isn't necessarily as significant to maintaining power
• social control of thought now is of importance for power and politics p. 33
• ideology ingrained with systems of power
• Neo-classicism 
• Intellectual and material control =ultimate power/supreme control
• Ideological State Apparatuses (ISAs)

On my honor, I have not given, nor received, nor witnessed any unauthorized assistance on this work. -Renee Sang