by Mojtaba Salem Let’s first develop a model based on insights from the behavioral sciences. Two parties can be either friend or foe to each other. I use “either-or” proposition on purpose. Their status depends on the direction of their interests. If one’s interests contravene that of the other, they perceive themselves as foes; if [...]

by Mojtaba Salem This piece is a critical reflection on Michael Moore’s “Capitalism: A Love Story.” On the global stage, economic interconnectedness means two things: a) bubble-liked prosperity b) chronic recession. A rapid economic development – similar to that of industrially advanced economies – blinds developing nations to the risks they have to undertake for [...]

by Mojtaba Salem Conflict is the essence of history according to Hegel. Not only does conflict fuel the locomotive of time to transform human societies from one historical stage into another, it establishes a definite pattern for this continuous transformation. Then, what is in essence the conflict? The response depends entirely on whether one recognizes [...]

Conclusion: Predicting the Future of the Cultural Progress in the World Under capitalism, not only does art lose its meaning, but it loses its subjective existence. The remaining of art consists of physical, commodity-like objects whose monitory value varies from day to day depending on the demand of possible consumers in the market. The fate [...]

by Mojtaba Salem In previous piece, the role of the Mass Media in construction of reality such that the State desires was discussed. This piece discusses the role of entertainment industry in construction of a superficial reality. The entertainment industry appears to complement what news agencies have not been able to accomplish; namely, the passive [...]

by Mojtaba Salem After becoming familiar with the theoretical framework of the culture industry, it is productive to look at the practical implications of the mechanical production of ideas on the world. News agencies are the tools with which a new truth in favor of capitalism must be constructed. The idea is that what citizens perceived as  reality becomes more important than the objective reality itself. Such a [...]

by Mojtaba Salem This is the first of a four-piece analysis, which tries to look at the culture industry that is argued to be the product of capitalist mode of production, from two different windows: 1) the mass media 2) entertainment industry. My goal here is to offer a critical analysis of the complementary roles [...]

by Ali Babur When we think of this old Islamic proverb, many of us may have conflicting feelings. For some it may hold to be true and hold unwavering wisdom of Islam in context of politics and peace. “Where and how does this proverb constitute legitimacy and credibility making it a Muslim proverb?” would be [...]