“There is little historical evidence to suggest that any form of radical art has produced a discernible political or social effectivity. In saying this, I have no wish to marginalize radical or avant-garde art any more than it has already marginalized itself, but I do wish to question the claims that radical art is politically more effective than the progressive uses of popular art. Barthes points to the political limitations of the avant-garde when he argues that it challenges the bourgeoisie only in the spheres of aesthetics and ethics, but in no way disturbs its economic or political power. Any effectivity it may have is confined to marginal shifts within the bourgeoisie itself.”
More from John Fiske
“Popular discrimination is thus quite different from the aesthetic discrimination valued so…”
“The left's concern for the interests and wellbeing of the powerless and the weak, and its…”
“Popular culture is made by the people, not produced by the culture industry. All the…”
“The intensity of concentration required to play the games results in the loss of social…”