Wiley-Blackwell Culture-on-Demand: Communication in a Crisis World

This highly original, thought-provoking book – written by a pioneer of communication studies – is the first to analyze the post 9/11 world in terms of global media and popular culture. Written in an engaging and candid manner by a leading expert in this field Argues that cross-cultural understanding can only be achieved by harnessing the power of global media, popular culture, information technology, and personal communications technologies Examines the global trend of using film, video, music, and TV “on-demand” as the framework through which we experience all cultural activity Draws inspiration from the work of a range of theorists, from Charles Darwin to Anthony Giddens Candidly interrogates the very latest developments in world affairs, especially the roles of fundamentalist religious ideology, media globalization, and individualism, whose complex relationships have yet to be explained by social scientists Review “James Lull shows that religion and media ravenously feed off each other--often for the worse. But he also points the way to a future of 'global wisdom,' which leverages the best ideals of communication and faith. This is one gospel worth preaching.” Irshad Manji, author, The Trouble with Islam Today<!--end--> “With uncommon brilliance, extreme intellectual agility, and profound cultural wisdom, James Lull’s latest book faces courageously and optimistically the most daunting challenges of our troubled times.” Eduardo Neiva, University of Alabama at Birmingham “Taking global cultural analysis in refreshing new directions, James Lull offers the reader powerful insights into the social and symbolic realities of the 21st Century.” Gabriela Pedroza, Monterrey Institute of Technology "In this impressively wide-ranging study, Lull makes an impassioned plea for the new media technologies to be brought to the forefront of the struggle against cultural prejudice. Calling for cooperation rather than conflict, open-minded communication rather than fundamentalist pronouncements, Lull persuasively argues the case for greater diversity and tolerance across global society." Stuart Sim, University of Sunderland “An intriguing essay on culture and modern cultural practices. Lull is intellectually honest in assessing the counterarguments to his positions.” Communication Research Trends From the Inside Flap Film, video, music, TV, the internet – these are now the global channels for experiencing cultural activity on-demand. At the same time, intense cultural conflicts have thrown the world into chaos. Religious fundamentalism, nationalism, militarism, and globalization continue to provoke widespread violence and unrest. This highly original, thought-provoking book – written by a pioneer of communication studies – is the first to analyze the post 9/11 world in terms of global media and popular culture. From an evolutionary perspective, Lull argues that we need to harness the influence of information and personal communications technologies, mass media, and the culture industries to understand where our precarious world is headed and how we will get there. From the Back Cover Film, video, music, TV, the internet – these are now the global channels for experiencing cultural activity on-demand. At the same time, intense cultural conflicts have thrown the world into chaos. Religious fundamentalism, nationalism, militarism, and globalization continue to provoke widespread violence and unrest. This highly original, thought-provoking book – written by a pioneer of communication studies – is the first to analyze the post 9/11 world in terms of global media and popular culture. From an evolutionary perspective, Lull argues that we need to harness the influence of information and personal communications technologies, mass media, and the culture industries to understand where our precarious world is headed and how we will get there. About the Author James Lull is Professor Eme