Douglas Kellner ist ein führender kritischer Theoretiker der dritten Generation, der sich intensiv mit den Auswirkungen der Medienkultur auf die Gesellschaft auseinandersetzt. Er ist ein Pionier der kritischen Medienkompetenz und analysiert, wie die heutige Medienlandschaft zunehmend von Spektakel und Mega-Spektakel geprägt wird. Seine Arbeit befasst sich auch mit den Dynamiken der Alternativglobalisierung und setzt sich für gegenhegemoniale Bewegungen und alternative kulturelle Ausdrucksformen im Streben nach einer demokratischeren Gesellschaft ein. Kellner erforscht das politische Potenzial neuer Medien und befürwortet das Konzept der „vielfältigen Technologiekompetenzen“ als Alternative zu standardisierten Formen der Computerkompetenz.
Cultural Studies, Identity, and Politics in the Contemporary Moment
Kellner examines the pervasive influence of mediated culture as the primary force shaping socialization and impacting various aspects of life, including the economy and politics. This updated edition of a classic text in media and cultural studies delves into how media serves as a crucial player in contemporary society, highlighting its significance in cultural and social interactions.
Focusing on a metatheory for educational philosophy, this book emphasizes the need for democratization, reconstruction, and decolonization of education. It addresses the challenges posed by a global and technological society, advocating for transformative approaches that reshape educational practices and theories to better serve diverse communities and foster critical engagement among learners.
The book explores the profound impact of the ongoing technological revolution on society as we enter the new millennium. It highlights how advancements in computer, information, communication, and multimedia technologies are reshaping work, communication, politics, and leisure. This transformation challenges critical theorists, citizens, and educators to reevaluate their foundational ideas and adapt social institutions and education to effectively respond to these changes. The emphasis is on creatively utilizing media and restructuring systems to foster progressive societal development.
Focusing on the interplay between culture and globalization, this collection of essays offers fresh perspectives that challenge traditional political and economic analyses. It examines local, national, and transnational contexts, emphasizing how race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality reshape our understanding of globalization. By providing models for cultural studies, the work encourages a re-evaluation of these dynamics, highlighting the complex relationship between global and local influences.
Kellner writes, "As we move into the 1990s critical theory might help produce theoretical and political perspectives which could be part of a Left Turn that could reanimate the political hopes of the 1960s, while helping overcome and reverse the losses and regression of the 1980s."
Terrorism, War, and Election Battles
The book delves into the transformative impact of media on democracy post-9/11, highlighting how corporate ownership and a shift in media bias have favored Republicans while sidelining Democrats. It critiques the prevalence of "media spectacles," which overshadow substantive public issues, particularly in the context of the 9/11 attacks and the ensuing wars. By analyzing the 2004 election and various political forces, the author advocates for a multilateral approach to globalization and emphasizes the necessity of democratic media to address the ongoing democratic crisis.
One of the most important texts of modern times, Herbert Marcuse's analysis and image of a one-dimensional man in a one-dimensional society has shaped many young radicals' way of seeing and experiencing life. Published in 1964, it fast became an ideological bible for the emergent New Left. As Douglas Kellner notes in his introduction, Marcuse's greatest work was a 'damning indictment of contemporary Western societies, capitalist and communist.' Yet it also expressed the hopes of a radical philosopher that human freedom and happiness could be greatly expanded beyond the regimented thought and behaviour prevalent in established society. For those who held the reigns of power Marcuse's call to arms threatened civilization to its very core. For many others however, it represented a freedom hitherto unimaginable.
First published in 1995. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.
Focusing on the political and institutional dynamics of television, this comprehensive study examines its dual role in society. It highlights how television has both reflected and dramatized social conflicts while occasionally serving as a platform for meaningful social critique. The book provides a critical analysis of the medium's impact, showcasing its complexities and contradictions in shaping public discourse and opinion.
Domestic Terrorism and School Shootings from the Oklahoma City Bombing to the Virginia Tech Massacre
Focusing on the troubling patterns in domestic terrorism, Douglas Kellner analyzes incidents like the Virginia Tech and Columbine shootings through the lens of male socialization and American gun culture. He highlights the influence of media and popular culture in shaping violent identities, presenting a critical examination of the societal factors contributing to these tragedies. Kellner's work serves as a cautionary message, urging awareness and action to prevent future acts of violence in schools.