From Culture to Hegemony

I found Hebdige's set up of culture to be interesting.  As with later sections in his article which he related to other great postmodern thinkers, he connected his section on culture to Raymond Williams who coined the "Culture and Society" debate.  Through this, Hebdige informs us, the idea of an "organic society" was largely kept alive (145).

Hebdige explains and "organic society" as "an integrated, meaningful whole" (145).  Now this, if anything, has to be an idealistic image of a society.  Especially in todays times, we are having such difficulty coming together and functioning as a who, much less an "integrated, meaningful whole."  While I agree that ideally, a society should work together in such a manner, it seems slightly unrealistic at the same time.  Further Hebdige presents the notion of a "harmonious perfection" when discussing the role of culture in an idealistic societal setting.

It is said that society plays a vastly large role in determining their culture.  As culture has been looked upon as "high society," or representation of the best, it is important to note the manufacturing in image that is being presented by a society as its culture, as its best form.

After reading that piece earlier in the semester on reality and what it truly takes to be real, or even to be considered an original, I cannot help but relate every reading since to that.  Im still messing with the concept of what it truly takes to be real.  If culture is a product of society, a formed ideal and image, then can it be entirely trusted?  Sometimes I try hard to present myself in the best way possible, but is that really me?  Perhaps, just an idealistic form.  As long as we believe ideology can become reality.