Marcuse and Mickey Mouse
I'm toying with the idea of writing an article about Marcuse and Mickey Mouse. Why? Well, after living in the homogenized central Florida area for a time and seeing something of the influence of Disney on the community, it struck me that there might be something to Marcuse's thesis about certain negative aspects of technology and capitalism after all. Of course, I wouldn't swallow it all hook line and sinker because I'm not a Marxist. And yes, I know Habermas' critique of the all-too-simplistic equation of technological rationality with instrumental reason, but I think Marcuse has something more to offer us ... And isn't it true that the mass production of entertainment by Disney does, at least, pander to a "lowest common kitch" denominator? (Yes, I know. There are those who are offended by calling Disney kitch, but I enjoy the occasional sojourn to Las Vegas in all its kitch glory as much as the next philistine.) And perhaps this does have something to do with, at least, the distraction of our critical faculties from other, let's say, politcally urgent matters. Of course, this isn't the "false consciousness" of Marx's critique, but that itself has always been a fiction. I mean, I at least have enough faith in consumers to suppose they know full well what they like and what they don't, and it isn't someone else doing the deciding for them, though advertising might help to manufacture that "articifical desire" for products. By the way, after how many years should I update my cell phone? I welcome some input on the topic as I've hit a bit of a writer's block.