Secular humanism: A radical reading of “culture industry” productions

Abstract

This essay argues that the critical theory of mass communication should focus less on critical paraphernalia than on descriptions of the “group consciousness” of consumers of culture industry productions. The technique of “radical reflection” is discussed as a means to address the problem of describing the consciousness of particular groups. An example is offered in the form of a detailed analysis of the consciousness of those fundamentalist Christians who lately have acted politically to “purify” the symbolic environment created by culture industry productions. The argument proceeds as an analysis of Jerry Falwell's use of scriptural narratives as evidence in political discourse about the quality of culture industry productions.