In this week’s lecture we discussed the concept of the “symbolic universe” as a cultural “structure of legitimation” capable of organizing the social world as comprehensible and connected. The structure of the symbolic universe then, places the individual in a known and knowable space. Such social structures are critical for societies in transition. Can you identify the creation of any “symbolic universe” today (or in recent years)? How might media and design be implicated in the construction of these social universes today?
When people talk about ‘symbolic universe’ they are talking about a utopia. A world where everything is perfect and people can live together without any conflict. In the 1939 New York World’s Fair, General Motors showed the Futurama. A diorama that showed their version of utopia. Because General Motors is a car manufacturer their version of utopia mainly showed how city’s traffic networks would be perfect and made sure there were no traffic jams so everyone could travel steadily with no delay.
In todays society it will be really hard to actually get a Utopia. Even in years to come people will struggle to get their version of the perfect world.
But thanks to todays virtual realities people can mimic their version of the perfect world into video games.
In Games like the Sims and the tycoon series people can create their own world where they control. The player creates everything in the world from people to a landscape. Games like these can show how different people perceive their own version of utopia.
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