CMAF 1010

Media Power, Meaning, and Surveillance

Dive into the foundations of media theory, the economics of attention, and the age of surveillance capitalism. Edward Holmes and Laura Bennett unpack how media shapes society, meaning, and our sense of self, drawing on both classic theories and modern examples.

The Death of Reality

Edward Holmes and Laura Bennett dig into how digital media transforms our sense of the real—where every click becomes data, surveillance is constant, and meaning is up for grabs. From invisible digital labor to algorithmic empathy, they explore the commodification of attention and identity in the era of hyperreality.

Circuits of Control and the Collapse of Reality

Edward Holmes and Laura Bennett unravel the evolution of reality in today’s digital age—from hyperreality and simulated worlds to the commodification of attention and the automation of participation. Drawing on key media theorists, they analyze how algorithms encode, control, and ultimately shape the fabric of our experience.