Chapter 31

This chapter discusses the ideas of author Frederic Jameson. He describes a change in culture that has taken place since about 1960, when postmodernism started to replace modernism within American society. Berger uses the differing styles in architecture to compare the two ideas. Modernist architecture is very formal, unified and simple, while postmodernist buildings are made up of many different architectural styles. The chapter also includes a chart that compares some of the ideas between the two different cultures. Modernism is made up of a unified style, it is hierarchical, harmonious, separates high culture from pop culture and also includes "serious" art, as well as a classical music style. Postmodernism, on the other hand, has a fragmented style, is very eclectic, anarchical, combines high culture with pop culture, and includes a "punk" music style along with Schlock art. Jameson believes that as the world has progressed, anything goes because there is no difference between high culture art and popular culture anymore. He also argues that the world is now made up of a "degraded" postmodernism landscape dominated by television series, motel design and advertising. I believe he is referring to the power of media in today's society. Television and advertising are very powerful and have the ability to control the world's view on society.