Blog Post 3

       In class we discussed communication as ‘social action’. In the beginning of lecture, the first slide opened with a quote, “if we can change a system we are immersed in, how can we hold onto enough of ourselves that we are able to discern the status quo and challenge it when we should.” I think this is a simple way of looking at people’s positions on social norms, opinions, and worldly view points. This quote opens up the idea on how to act on what they believe. How to action on your own social action. This opened up class discussion, lecture, questions, and different terms like, simulacra, difference, and cynicism. Simulacra is the representation or imitation of a person or thing. In class, for example, we discussed pumpkin spice; how it affects our culture during the winter time and fall, and how it affects the people and companies. Pumpkin spice is a huge phenomena that Starbucks and other companies have marketed and made money off of. Pumpkin spice has become a drink, a way of living, and feeling cozy in the fall and winter time. People followed this and took there social action stance. I think this idea is really interesting and got me thinking of my own social action. I realized this idea is important to study; and, it is important to have your own beliefs and morals. In today’s society, so many people are getting caught up in social norms they forget about what their own social action. Are people following along because it is easy, it truly is what they believe, or because they are scared to challenge it. To put it in perspective, do people like pumpkin spice or are they bandwagoning. People need to have their own opinions, their own stance, otherwise it is fake. To repeat, “if we can’t change a system we are immersed in, how can we hold onto enough of ourselves that we are able to discern the status quo and challenge it when we should.” I think it is so easy to get caught up what is cool, and the thing to do; but how do people challenge a social norm if you can’t even manage your own opinion. This lecture was important to me and taught so much about what it means have social action.