The term "elite" carries multiple and complex connotations, reflecting a historical evolution from positive to negative associations.
New elites are often misunderstood and oversimplified, leading to challenges in addressing the broader issues they represent.
The new elite class navigates complex dynamics of power, ethics, and cultural influence, reshaping corporate and institutional landscapes in response to societal demands.
There has been a resurgence of interest in the Professional Managerial Class (PMC) and their impact on society, especially in relation to economic foundations and cultural dignity.
The PMC is seen as converting economic issues into moral or cultural problems, focusing on symbolic recognition rather than material redistribution.
The rise of radical bureaucracies within institutions has shifted towards a language of Critical Social Justice, emphasizing ethical values like equity and inclusion over technocratic principles.
In the 1970s, American and European social critics discussed the rise of a 'New Class' made up of educated elites in academia, media, and more, with unique values and sensibilities.
The term 'New Class' had historical roots, often linked to the idea of a technocratic ruling class, as well as critiques of communist systems.
Critiques of the 'New Class' included concerns about elitism, adversarial cultures, and the potential for totalitarianism, shaping both conservative and liberal perspectives in the 1970s.
Slavoj Žižek suggested a rise in a new Communist prospect during the early months of the pandemic, emphasizing the need for a solidarity-based response to crises.
Mark Featherstone endorsed Žižek's ideas, presenting three potential paths for nation states during the pandemic era, including a shift towards a spirit of communism grounded in collective solidarity.
The pandemic period saw an acceleration of wealth concentration among billionaires, but also corporations pivoting towards social concerns and aligning with radical social critique.
The integration of mass media, politics, and military actions has led to the creation of media spectacles like televised beach landings, showcasing the power of live television to shape global events.
The real-time nature of social media and smartphone technology has revolutionized warzone visibility, allowing for the instantaneous transmission of combat footage and fostering a sense of tele-objectivity.
Global emotional synchronisation through mass spectator events and online platforms has become a powerful force, influencing collective emotions and shaping global consciousness around significant events like the war in Ukraine.
Survival narratives often create 'capsule worlds' where characters face existential challenges and must compete for survival against each other or the environment.
Time loop narratives, like in 'Palm Springs,' emphasize the gamified and existential dynamics within a confined temporal space, highlighting the repetition and lack of lasting significance of actions.
The concept of hyperreality and gamified logics in storytelling reflect a shift towards a digitally mediated world where immediate rewards and self-gratification dominate, impacting human intimacy and social norms.