The Freedom of the Institutionalized Human Being
Modernity can be interpreted in a variety of ways, as it is such a broad term that covers an expansive timeline.
Josh Meyrowitz describes the modern print culture, stating, “The growing availability of printed materials helps to reorganize social structures based on new patterns of shared and unshared communication” (Meyrowitz). The concept of printing also encourages modes of thinking and social interaction, as well as encouraging the experience of words as objects. The modern print culture promoted this sense of organization and availability, as well. The printing press encourages retreat from the surrounding oral community, bypassing the Catholic Church’s monopoly over direct access to the word of God. This form of communication technology was considered so transformational, as it encouraged modes of thinking and social organization, eventually leading to dominant communication technologies during this time period.
There are often many terms associated with the idea of Modernity, including institution and enlightenment. Institution tends to have this dominating presence when regarding the idea of Modernity, as mass communication technologies enabled the rise of complex industrial society built upon large institutions that greatly depended on mass communication. In fact, Michael Soha, a Communication Professor at the University of New Hampshire states, “Perhaps nothing better epitomizes the era of modernity than the development and dominance of social, political, and economic institutions” (Soha). This concept of institutions being superior is evident in the film, “The 400 Blows” by François Truffaut This film presents its ideas of the Modern Era throughout various scenes, including the introduction of the film which reveals the social formations of institutions, such as schools and how they run. The institution as education is effectively conveyed through most of the movie, revealing the relationship and dynamic of the teacher and the students. The idea that institutions “create order out of chaos” is accurate throughout the film, as the French teacher being depicted is incredibly strict and the education itself is quite regimented. Education as an institution became incredibly widespread during this time of Modernity, as well as many other organizations and settings, including hospitals and mental institutions. According to Soha’s summarization of “The Four Eras”, institutions were “Made to ‘modernize’ society through regimented programs of hygiene, education, news and information, and at times, outright propaganda” (Soha). There is an overarching message of the institution and what its purpose is, and it is quite evident throughout this time period of Modernity.
As previously mentioned, “The 400 Blows”, effectively serves as a commentary on the institutions of the Modern Era, but it is important to consider other sources which successfully display the importance of institutions and their purpose to organize and structure society. Consider “The Eugenics Crusade” PBS documentary which summarizes the history of the popular movement in the United States during the early twentieth century, mentioning that it was practiced around the world and promoted by people of high status, including government officials and dominant institutions. At the time, the practice of Eugenics was considered cutting edge technology and science resulting from this idea of Modernity and institutions. In this case, dominant institutions might have included health-related facilities, mental institutions, the American Eugenics Society and other foundations, as well. The institutions were meant to modernize society in the United States through the regimented and unethical practices of selective breeding to produce only the “best” offspring. The goal of this practice was to terminate the opportunities of producing offspring which carried unfavorable traits. The initial “cutting edge technology and science” idea of Eugenics quickly unravelled and progressed to mass industrial genocide in Germany due to their beliefs of reproductive capacities and ultimate end goal of producing only the best offspring.
Although this practice of selective breeding was eventually terminated, it is important to recognize the institution’s effects and goals in mind. This kind of behavior led to the distrust of institutions and their dominating presence in the idea of Modernity.
