Another assignment for communication theory class.

History is divided into different eras, epochs and periods which are identified and named differently, depending on the region, technological advancement, and various aspects. Among such periods in history is the modern period, or modernity, which took place in Europe approximately between 1870 and 1910. It was that time when mankind has progressed beyond the Renaissance, the Reformation and the Enlightenment. Though the precise scholar who coined the term ?modernity? is not known, it has been used nonetheless in reference to that period of time or otherwise the continuous development since the medieval times from the mid 1400s (Wikipedia, 2006).

As the term suggests, modernity is the state or quality of being modern: the very sense of ?now?. The mark of the modernist times is the evolving rationality of mankind, becoming more systematic as the years pass. It was that pivotal era when religion began being questioned as the sole explanation of life; the role of science had availed itself more significantly than before. With science, an orderly understanding of the world was believed to propel society towards greater achievements (Wood, 2004). Having evidence-based characteristics, the objective, unbiased essence of science is deemed infallible in terms of accuracy (Wood, 2004).

The same perspective on science is reflected by modernists towards individuals, that they are rational and coherent (Wood, 2004). What is new and current will likely to be taken more seriously by the mindsets that values the ?now? factor. In fact, a modern worldview ?almost invariably scorns the old-fashioned as constrictive and oppressive,? (Martin, 1989). Modernistic communication takes places when individuals see the importance of change and take effective action in attempts to assimilate progress (Pearce, 2005). With this outlook on people, modernists assume that society, usually Western, is stable and coherent in concordance to certain logic-based communication theories (Wood, 2004).

However, modern societies cannot and should not be deemed completely ideal to be adopted of its features. For example, there seemed to be minimal emphasis of equality among people in those times, as indicated by the existence of gender roles and slavery (Wikipedia, 2006). Advancements in technology brought greater danger to the world with weapons and pollution, some of which can still be seen today, if not worse. This remains a fact despite the perspective of modernists that see the self that individuals had developed stable, coherent and autonomous (Wood, 2004).

Modernity has paved the way for a more progressive sociocultural state, which is known as postmodernism. Taking place presumptively after the Second World War, other wise the late 20th century, postmodernity sees the end of modernity (Wikipedia, 2006). Barnett Pearce refers to this as the setting in which ?what happens anywhere is relevant anywhere? (2005). The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia defines postmodern view as ?accepting of the fragmentation of contemporary existence?. It also thinks that there is no accurate way to order and define society, for the world will remain unordered (Wood, 2004).

Though modernity is no longer a definite, universal label attached to the world today, it is still used to mark the state of the Western world that once was. It is a milestone in the ever-continuing development of communication that grows so complex.. Though the understanding of these changing attitudes indicates the level in which people have come in terms of knowledge, there is no single flawless objective view of the world and its diverse human inhabitants. The way people communicate will continue to change and adapt to any state of the world.

References

Pearce, W. B. (2005). Toward Communicative Virtuosity: A Meditation on Modernity and Other Forms of Communication. School of Human and Organization Development, Fielding Graduate University. Retrieved April 17, 2006, from http://pearceassociates.com/essays/documents/Towardscommunicativevirtuosity.doc

Martin, Dennis D. (1989). Modernity. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 9 April 2006 http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/M644ME.html

Modernity. (n.d.) The American Heritage? Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. (2003). Retrieved April 9 2006 from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/modernity

Postmodern. (n.d.). The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Retrieved April 18, 2006, from Answers.com Web site: http://www.answers.com/topic/postmodernism

Wikipedia contributors (2006). Modernity. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved, April 7, 2006 from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Modernity&oldid=46874468.

Wood, J. T. (2004). Communication Theories in Action: An Introduction. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.