Grant Tabler
Natalie Evans
MDST 3040-03
3 October 2011
Natalie Evans
MDST 3040-03
3 October 2011
The Mean Between Two Extremes: A Culture of Both Push and Pull
In James Lull’s article The Push and Pull of Global Culture, Lull examines two seemingly divided cultures, and attempts to correlate and harmonize their usage. Lull eventually tries to argue that our changing culture requires a changing individual, saying that we must change the way we view, understand, and interface with culture to survive this new landscape.
Lull starts by examining a changing cultural paradigm. Noting that the post 9/11 world is one that has begun a shift from a culture based around community to a culture based in individualization. Lull looks at the ways in which humans understand themselves and their power structures in a more decentralized way. Through this increasing individualization humans are empowering themselves to be in control of their lives. In addition they are apparently working to be less reliant or less concerned with the community, the group, and any herd mentality that may imply. This aim at individualization, and therefore personal power, is what Lull deems the pull aspect of culture.
