All The Things That Need Originality; Cannot Copy Others

All The Things Need To Be Originality Can Not Copy On Others Write

All the things need to be originality, can not copy on others. write a 3-4 page double-spaced and typewritten essay that answers ONE of the following questions. Your paper must have a minimum font size of 11 and a maximum font size of 12. Paper question :[T]he only secure thing about modernity is its insecurity, its penchant, even, for ‘totalizing chaos.’’ David Harvey The Condition of Postmodernity, p. 11. According to ONE of the texts that we have read (Benjamin, McLuhan, Anderson, Schivelbusch, or Harvey), what role does technology play in the emergence of this insecurity?

In what ways does Charlie Chaplin’s Modern Times reflect OR contradict the perspective on modernity that the author you choose has described? Where and how do we see this perspective in the film? Please describe at least two specific examples from scenes that support your argument and include direct quotations from the author of the article that you are referring to. TO RE-WATCH MODERN TIMES:

Paper For Above instruction

The exploration of modernity often revolves around its complex relationship with technology, which both defines and destabilizes our perception of progress and order. Among the thinkers examining this relationship, David Harvey's perspective in “The Condition of Postmodernity” emphasizes that modernity’s hallmark is its inherent insecurity and chaos—an idea that resonates profoundly with how technology interacts with societal structures. Harvey suggests that “the only secure thing about modernity is its insecurity,” implying that technological advancements continuously challenge our stability, often leading to unpredictable and chaotic outcomes (Harvey, 1990, p. 11). This essay explores Harvey's views on technology's role in fostering insecurity in modern systems and examines Charlie Chaplin's film “Modern Times,” which both reflects and contradicts Harvey's perspective on modernity.

Harvey’s analysis positions technology as a destabilizing force that accelerates and amplifies the uncertainties inherent in modern life. He argues that technological progress, far from bringing about a stable and orderly world, often results in “totalizing chaos,” characterized by rapid changes, dislocation, and societal fragmentation (Harvey, 1990). For instance, Harvey discusses how mechanization and technological abstraction disconnect individuals from meaningful labor and societal cohesion, leading to feelings of alienation and insecurity. The factory system, with its assembly lines and relentless pace, exemplifies this breakdown of traditional social bonds, as technology replaces human agency with mechanized processes.

In the context of the modern condition, technology functions both as a tool and a catalyst for chaos. The proliferation of communication technologies, for example, accelerates the spread of information but also heightens societal anxieties, misinformation, and surveillance. Harvey emphasizes that the unpredictability introduced by technological innovation makes modern society fundamentally insecure; a small disruption can cascade into chaos due to the interconnectedness enabled by these systems. Therefore, Harvey’s view is that technology sustains the insecurity of modernity, eroding the illusion of progress as a stable and linear trajectory.

Charlie Chaplin’s “Modern Times” vividly illustrates this relationship between technology and insecurity. The film, set against the backdrop of rapid industrialization, portrays the dehumanizing effects of mechanization on workers. One exemplary scene demonstrates this: the infamous sequence where Chaplin’s character is caught in the gears of a giant machine. This scene symbolically highlights how technology’s relentless march can trap and dehumanize individuals, aligning with Harvey’s notion of chaos and insecurity, as the character is physically swallowed by the machine, illustrating a loss of autonomy and identity.

Another scene that supports this perspective is when Chaplin’s character is overwhelmed by the fast-paced assembly line, making silly attempts to keep up with the mechanical rhythm. The scenes depict workers as mere cogs in an impersonal system, emphasizing the breakdown of traditional social bonds and the alienation induced by mechanized labor. These moments exemplify Harvey’s argument that technological acceleration contributes to societal instability, pushing individuals into chaos rather than security.

Conversely, the film also contains moments of humor and resilience that challenge Harvey’s bleak view. Chaplin’s depiction of the characters’ camaraderie and individual ingenuity suggests that despite technological chaos, human spirit and creativity persist. This contradiction reflects a nuanced view: while technology may foster insecurity, human agency can still serve as a counterbalance, an idea that Harvey alludes to when discussing resistance within the modern condition.

Ultimately, “Modern Times” exemplifies Harvey’s argument by showcasing how technological progress, rather than providing security or stability, often exacerbates chaos and alienation. The film highlights the paradox of modernity: technology’s power to bring advancements is simultaneously its capacity to destabilize social order and individual identity.

References

• Harvey, D. (1990). The Condition of Postmodernity: An Inquiry into the Origins of Cultural Change. Blackwell Publishing.
• Chaplin, C. (1936). Modern Times. United Artists.
• Benjamin, W. (1968). The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction. In H. Arendt (Ed.), Illuminations (H. Zohn, Trans.). Schocken Books.
• McLuhan, M. (1964). Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man. McGraw-Hill.
• Anderson, P. (2006). The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business is Selling Less of More. Hyperion.
• Schivelbusch, W. (1986). The Railway Journey: The Industrialization of Time and Space. University of California Press.
• Graham, S. (2010). Cities Under Siege: The New Military Urbanism. Verso.
• Dean, J. (2010). Democracy and Other Neoliberal Fantasies: Communicative Capitalism and Left Politics. Duke University Press.
• Rifkin, J. (1995). The End of Work: The Decline of the Global Labor Force and the Dawn of the Post-Market Era. G.P. Putnam's Sons.
• Castells, M. (1996). The Rise of the Network Society. Blackwell Publishing.