In mid grade 11 to grade 12, I took this IB philosophy course called "Theory of Knowledge" (ToK). It was an interesting class that dealt with the the ways and theories of 'knowing'. The course demanded the students to consider ways to really know what is true. And best of all, the course allowed the student to contribute personal knowledge and insight aside from the course material.
Sounds great and easy, right?
Not to mid gr 11-12 naive me!
I did so horribly in that class that I wonder how I even managed to pass the course. Looking back at it now, I could have done so much with my acquired knowledge through my humanities course here at McMaster Uni.
I remember doing a research report on the media and reality tv shows and presented it in front of the class. The arguments made were quite primitive and superficial that led me to make claims such as "reality tv shows don't suffice to project the real" and "the people shown on the reality shows are not by random, but through consideration of looks".
What I failed to realize that reality shows, and tv shows in general are projects of the capitalist machine that may be good for the economy in the short term, but has long term global, psychological and environmental affects. So the real core of the problem of reality shows is not just the set up of it, but the intentions behind the productions. The intentions of endorsing consumerism. To make us to buy more stuff, absorb the unattainable goal of looking like a billboard model, idolize celebrities, and center our lives on commodities.
The poster sale at McMaster University displays the influence of Capitalism's spell that is
embedded in the spectacle of commodities in which, even higher education subjects are prone too.
The affects of capitalism has become so influential in our lives that people, too, have become commodities. This is apparent in social relationships. I mean, the start and progression of relationships, to my understanding, all begins with the consideration of the social status of the possible guy or girl. On the basis of their taste in things, and the way they present themselves is ultimately a judgment of how well they have commodified themselves. My best example is the trendy geek glasses. [..that's my example because that's my weakness because I'm a fool for the arts.]
Anyhow, the main argument of my post is that, it has come to my realization that westerners have turned their attention upon buying things as a central component of their social lives. Undeniably, based on how much one has determines how well fit he is in the world. If ToK has taught me anything, that's not true.
So what happened to the notion of getting to know people for the intention of just getting to know people?
We are worth a lot more than the media deems us to be.
Enough with buying stuff, let's do stuff.
