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Overview of modernity and postmodernity 

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Overview of modernity and postmodernity 

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Two key processes which underpin the move from 'Modernity' to 'Postmodernity' are technological changes and globalisation. The development of satellite communications and transport technologies seem to be the main causes of globalisation, or the increasing interconnectedness of people across the world. Today we live in a truly global economy with many products in the UK produced in other parts of the world, and many British products being exported to other countries. Cultural globalisation has also taken place - with more people moving and communicating with each other across the world. We also face a number of shared global problems - such as new risky technologies and ecological problems. There are many different perspectives on Globalisation, but it is hard to argue that it is happening and that we have moved into a post-modern era as a result

Unfortunately grids don't cut and past that well into WordPress. A much neater version of the above grid can be found in my Theory and Methods Revision Notes, along with summaries of all the other perspectives too...

The notes cover the following sub-topics:

1. Functionalism

2. Marxism

3. Feminism

4. Social Action Theory

5. Postmodernism

6. Late Modernism

7. Sociology and Social Policy

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Technological changes, globalisation and the move from Modernity to Postmodernity Two key processes which underpin the move from 'Modernity' to 'Postmodernity' are technological changes and globalisation. The development of satellite communications and transport technologies seem to be the main causes of globalisation, or the increasing interconnectedness of people across the world.

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Sociology Factsheet - extended reading

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Extended reading

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Liar, liar: Four genuine fake news headlines which were shared on Facebook this year.

'Post-truth' could be 'one of the defining words of our time', says Oxford Dictionaries. The announcement comes as Facebook continues defending itself from criticism over fake news stories.

Last year Oxford Dictionaries declared that the word which best described 'the ethos, mood, and preoccupations of 2015' was in fact an emoji - specifically the 'face with tears of joy emoji'.

But 2016 has been a very different year. After a divisive referendum in Britain and an explosive election in America, this year's top word is 'post-truth'. According to Oxford, its usage rose by 2000% as people tried to understand the new political landscape. The trend has been fuelled by 'social media as a news source' and a 'growing distrust of facts offered up by the establishment.'

Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg has spent all week fighting off criticisms over this very subject. Since Donald Trump's victory, his shocked opponents have been searching for answers. How could a man who so frequently lies be elected president?

One possible explanation? Fake news on Facebook.

Almost half of American adults get their news from the site. The problem with this is that its algorithm promotes the stories with the most 'engagement' without checking if they are true. During the election, hundreds of fake news sites exploited this by writing outlandish stories about the candidates. Buzzfeed found that 38% of stories shared on three popular right-wing Facebook groups were fake, plus 19% of stories on three left-wing groups.

Our brains are wired to believe stories which confirm our own opinions - and so thousands shared stories about Pope Francis endorsing Trump (which never happened), or Trump calling Republicans the 'dumbest group of voters' in 1998 (which he did not do).

The result of all this, say some, is that voters do not just disagree about politics any more - they disagree on truth itself.

Welcome to the 'post-truth' world.

Mark Zuckerberg says it is 'a pretty crazy idea' to say that Facebook influenced the election. But 'dozens' of his employees have anonymously admitted that they are concerned. Meanwhile, Google has announced that it will try to curb the profit that can be earned from fake news.

Pants on fire

This can't go on, say some. Facebook must stop fake news stories from spreading so quickly. The rest of us must try to heal society's divisions and break out of our own echo chambers. Facts are the lifeblood of democracy. But in the post-truth age, all that matters is what you feel to be the truth. That will not end well.

Calm down, say others. The losers of the election are hysterically declaring a 'post-truth' age because they cannot possibly understand how anyone could disagree with them. To dismiss half the population as uninformed, emotional conspiracy theorists with no grip on reality is extremely patronising - and it does nothing to 'heal divisions'.

Activities

1. The shortlist for word of the year comprised Adulting, Alt-right, Brexiteer, Chatbot, Coulrophobia, Glass cliff, Hygge, Latinx, Post-truth and Woke. As a class, look up the definitions and then vote on which you think best represents 2016.

2. Write a satirical fake news story about the US election.

Word watch

Referendum

In June, 52% of British voters chose to leave the EU. The Remain campaign accused the Leave side of misleading voters, not least by promising to spend £350 million a week extra on the NHS.

Election

Last week, the Republican Donald Trump was elected president with 290 electoral college votes (in the American system, candidates need 270 of these to win).

Frequently lies

The fact-checking website Politifact rates 70% of Trump's statements as mostly false, false, or 'pants on fire' - a label given to the most outrageous lies. Hillary Clinton received similar ratings 31% of the time.

Half

According to Pew Research Center in May 2016, 44% got their news from Facebook. In total, 62% get news on social media.

38%

To reach this figure Buzzfeed analysed and fact-checked the posts from three 'hyperpartisan' groups from each end of the political spectrum over the course of seven weekdays in September.

Wired

Psychologists call this 'self-confirmation bias' - the tendency to consume stories that fit with our idea of the world, and dismiss anything that challenges it.

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Facebook's fake news: 'post-truth' is the word

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'Post-truth' could be 'one of the defining words of our time', says Oxford Dictionaries. The announcement comes as Facebook continues defending itself from criticism over fake news stories. Last year Oxford Dictionaries declared that the word which best described 'the ethos, mood, and preoccupations of 2015' was in fact an emoji - specifically the 'face with tears of joy emoji'.

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YouTube video