CL Habermas

In this weeks readings I was struck with the idea of profanity in modernity. Habermas speaks of the concept of modernity "revolt[ing] against the normalizing functions of traditions; modernity lives on the experience of rebelling against all that is normative" (pg 100). While modernity not only revolts, it also takes joy in the sometimes-profane expression of revolution "it is addicted to a fascination with that horror which accompanies the act of profaning, and yet is always in flight from the trivial results of profanation" (pg 100).
In our society and culture profane modernity is inexplicably linked to the concept of the "cult of the new." There are numerous examples of how far the envelope can be pushed as we comment on our society in a profane manner, always taking pleasure in eluding consequence for our taboo behavior. While I am not a fan, nor do I ever watch this program by choice, I cite an example of this phenomenon (for the sake of discussion) from the television show South Park. There is an episode which an entire plot is built around being able to say the word "shit" on television and not have it bleeped by the censors. The characters on South Park themselves are not the ones saying the word, but in fact they are watching a television show in which they are excited because the characters on that fictional television show are able to get away with profanity. If this is not postmodernism I am not sure what is. The obsession with the cult of the new, a fictional television show commenting and imitating society, embedded with another fictional television show "addicted to a fascination with that horror which accompanies the act of profaning", and all of the actual "real" viewers (us) waiting with breath that is baited to see if the creators of South Park are able to escape the consequences of the "trivial results of profanation."
While South Park has always been a go-to example for post modernity (the only reason it has been able to last so long on syndicated television is that, much like SNL, it is a parody of the current events of our society), it is none the less a prime example of not only profanity and pushing the envelope, but also the cult of the new. As I stated before, every episode is a parody or commentary on current events in the society, current being the operative word. We are fascinated and entertained by our own existence, self-centered and narcistic enough to believe our time on this planet is the most important thus far. Habermas says that "people considered themselves modern during the periods of Charles the Great in the twelfth century, as well as in France of the late seventeenth century" (pg 98). It goes without saying that during their lifetimes these people considered themselves the epitome of importance in the history of civilization, much as we do now. So the concept of the cult of the new and profane modernity are nothing new, and are sure to live on long past our existence on this planet as long as people continue to behave like people.