This document discusses post-modernism and its relationship with television. It outlines some key aspects of post-modernism, including the rejection of grand narratives, hyperreality, and a focus on surface level meanings over depth. It then examines how television has embraced post-modern concepts by blurring reality and fiction, prioritizing constant entertainment over substance, and promoting pastiche and spectacle. The document also notes that Pakistani television is increasingly demonstrating post-modern influences but could potentially apply its concepts in a healthier manner that does not undermine societal values.

1. Post Modernism and Television
Presented to: Mr Inamurahman
Presented by: M Zamir Asadi
MS 1 Fall Semester 2014
International Islamic University Islamabad

2. Postmodernism is a late-20th-century
movement in the arts, architecture, and
criticism that was a departure from modernism
Postmodernism includes skeptical
interpretations of culture, literature, art,
philosophy, history, economics, architecture,
fiction, and literary criticism.
It is often associated with deconstruction and
post-structuralism because its usage as a term
gained significant popularity at the same time
as twentieth-century post-structural thought.

3. The term postmodern was first used around the
1870s
John Watkins Chapman suggested "a Postmodern
style of painting" as a way to move beyond French
Impressionism
J. M. Thompson, in his 1914 article in The Hibbert
Journal, used it to describe changes in attitudes
and beliefs in the critique of religion
In 1921 and 1925, postmodernism had been used
to describe new forms of art and music

4. Rejection of Grand Meta Narratives
These are large-scale theories and philosophies of
the world, such as the progress of history, the
know ability of everything by science , and the
possibility of absolute freedom
Therefore all grand narratives should be viewed

5. There is no longer a distinction between reality
and its representing image or simulacrum
Hyper reality- There is only surface meaning :
there is no longer any original thing for the sign to
represent: the sign is the meaning

6. Post modernism is a development of modernism
Post modernism works are often characterized by
lack of depth, which has been replaced by surfeit
of surface
Jameson catalogs key features of postmodern
culture, as self referentiality , irony, pastiche and
parody

7. Post modern media rejects the idea that any media
product or text is of any greater value than other.
Anything can be art , anything can deserve to reach
the audience and culture “eat itself” as there is no
longer anything new to produce and distribute
The distinction between media and reality has
collapsed, and we now live in a reality defined by
images and representations

8. TV is one of the wonders of the age of technology
Concorde, Alpha Romeo, Mobile, windows,
computers and TV
Under the dominion of those who promote post
modern culture and especially under the influence
of Gays

9. Entertainment industry spreads post modernism
philosophy into every home
Violence, murder, obscenity, adultery, blasphemy,
mockery of Christ and form of sexual perversion is
depicted without restraint
Absolutes have been stripped away
TV producers promote sexual scenes explicitly

10. Modesty is abandoned
With TV there is no sense of shame
Sadly restraint comes only after disaster
Competitive Industry
Moral and spiritual values are decayed by TV
Apart from news, most of what we see is not
anchored in real world as this world is not like Hollywood

11. From Oprah to Jerrry Springer show the range of
topics for discussion were broadcasted featuring from
alien abduction to teenage pregnancy, racism to
vampirism
Airing out dirty laundry on national TV has enormously
become popular
Post modernism states that great imperative in TV is
incessant entertainment

14. We think that images of TV and rest of mass
media is reality
Soap Operas simulate real life while real life
people create themselves by identifying with
celebrity
Individuals consumes life style commodities
that are commensurate with the identification

15. The Simpsons
Futurama
Family Guy
Charmed
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Xena: Warrior Princess
Dark Angel
Drawn Together
Reno 911
The Real World
Cops
Survivor
Married with Children
The Tom Green Show
South Park
Family Guy
MTV Jackass
Seinfeld
The Office
Extras

16. Health TV
Sports TV
Religious Channels
Food TV
Entertainment TV
News TV
Women oriented channels
Kids TV
Cartoon channels
Youth channels

18. Pastiche: Tongue-in-cheek rehashes and tributes
to classic pop culture
Spectacle: In the ever competitive battle for
viewers, television caters to the basest and
shallowest impulses to get attention
Faux TV: Self-referential documentaries, shows
about shows, and fake news
Mystery: Bizarre, eclectic searches for the
unknown involving spirituality, philosophy and
technology
The Anti-Hero: Postmodern realities blur the lines
between good and evil, black and white, for both
characters and viewers

21. Pakistani TV is also moving towards Post
Modernism
TV dramas are showing popular culture of west
The social and cultural values are ending in
Pakistani society
No difference in gender prevails in Pakistani TV

22. Pakistani TV managers can use the post modern
concept in a healthy way
TV must not detract from the core societal values
TV must be the source of infotainment instead of
only entertainment and hype