Modernity- New Changes and Their Impact Modernism Term Paper

Modernity- NEW CHANGES AND THEIR IMPACT

Modernism commonly refers to early 20th century when industrialization had given way to new cultural and social values. But this is not exactly the kind of modernity that we shall be discussing in this paper. Instead we will be focusing on the new changes in the concept of modernity, which defines our current cultural views, social forces and self-identity. These changes took place somewhere in 1970s after the demise of the Beat generation. In fact almost every change that defines the modern world, has its roots in the changes that took place during 1970s and 80s. These decades have had a profound impact on modern worldview thus completing reformulating and redefining various aspects of our lives.

How we see ourselves in this massive Universe is typical related to the values that culture and society instill in us. With changes in basic cultural and social fabric of the world, its inhabitants experience a change in their views too. This transformation in views leads to the development of new attitude and a different outlook, which eventually affects everything around us including family structure, institution of marriage, significance of work, definition of job, gender and race etc.

Norman F. Cantor (1988) in his book, Twentieth-Century Culture: Modernism to Deconstruction, sheds light on the birth of new changes in modern world and explains what can they be attributed to. He writes, "In the 1970's a new age emerged without fanfare and almost imperceptibly. By the beginning of the eighties, the manifestations of a new era were in place. The coming of a new age was not announced by dramatic events like a war or depression, although the ending of the Vietnam War was a salutary and necessary preparation... But by the mid-eighties it was obvious to more intelligent journalistic commentators and to cultural critics that a new time was rapidly developing."(337) Cantor further adds, "Three technological innovations comprised a material and scientific infrastructure for the new era: biotechnology, computer applications, and instantaneous world information distribution through communication satellites." (337)

The concept of self has undergone a dramatic transformation too which has made sociologists and culture analysts take notice of modernity that emerged after 1970s and made us redefine and reformulate previously valid definitions of various concepts. For example impact of technological modernization and globalization can be felt in all areas of life and has made us believe in far-fetched possibilities. Who could have thought half a century go that you could work from home using a machine that would bring you customers from all over the globe. Everyone thought that job meant a 9-5 duty, which required you to leave home and follow a proper dress code. But all that has changed now. There are many people worldwide who have established their businesses from home and can communicate with millions of potential customer through the Internet. This has resulted in redefinition of job and work. Similarly present form of modernization has affected all other important areas of our…