Strategic Credulity: Oz as Mass Cultural Parable

Abstract

Tr he need to move beyond restrictive dichotomies established by theories of mass media is urgent. Jean Baudrillard provides starkest characterization of this state of affairs in opening of his article, Masses: The Implosion of Social in Media: Up to now there have been two great versions of analysis of media (as indeed that of masses), one and one (577). While optimistic side of debate is perhaps more easily dismissed as uncritical populism, celebrating mass culture as the most authentic register of popular desires (McCabe 7), pessimistic side has generated more serious critical consequences. Chief among these is a profound negativism, precluding possibilities of change. As Tony Bennett points out, historically:

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