In What Ways Does the Term Tourist Describe an Integral Part of Post Modern Identity - Essay Example

In what ways does the term 'tourist' describe an integral part of post modern identity Tourist is somebody who travels for pleasure: somebody who visits places away from home for pleasure (Encarta,2004). Todays tourist was considered as an integral part of post modernity interms of current fashion and lifestyle brought by massive globalisation technology. That a tourist can stay or move freely anytime at their hearts desire or because they want to(Lausti par 1). Through tourism it spreads modernity to the society through various tourist attractions that provides direct access to the modern consciousness of the ' world's view' and trend ( MacCannell as cited in Tourist Production, Par 8). That tourist attractions are precisely analogous to the religious symbolism of primitive peoples culture. Any touristic activities can even understand the taxonomies, values, ideologies, rituals, meaning systems, and differentiations of the modern world. That the international tourism industry does conventionally reproduce and reinforce the modernist ideological separation of the modern from the non-modern world . They have begun to be incorporate it into the ideologies and practices of the capitalist modernity (Tourist Production par 10). Yochi Li's, 2005 (par 16) reported that tourism has become fetishized as a thing, a product and a behavior particularly economic in nature. That todays tourism was considered as the highest earner industry of the world. Tourism as a heuristic interprets modernity that is searching for an 'authentic' experiences in the world where people in the modern world are alienated. It is a form of liminal, heightened experience of seeking an authenticity outside the structure of mundane, ordinary, alienated work life ( Gazing par 8). That tourism is a way for people to overcome the confusions of the modern world through sightseeing that helps organize a tourist's perception. Any "authentic" experiences in a distant locations reassures travelers that beyond the superficiality of their everyday lives that a true world still exists. Modernity involves cultural differentiation both horizontally that it separate development of a number of institutional and normative spheres, of the economy, the family, the state, science, morality, and an aesthetic realm". Vertically that can be shown between culture and life, between high and low culture, between scholarly or auratic art and popular pleasures, and between elite and mass forms of consumption. Postmodernity as Urry describes as a decline in the barriers between these realms. This decline or de-differentiation is part linked to the growth of mass media. Media have provided access to the culture of the elite, reducing the distinctiveness of their lifestyles. That media helps keepping events either kept in " private and what can be made public" informations( Urry par 5). But in post-modern tourism, tourist are trying to collaborates with the people who stage touristic sites in an 'inauthentic' touristic pastiche, and where "no single, authentic tourist experience" is possible. In other words, tourist are expecting different level of modernity and post modernity which is searching for 'true authenticity' to exist in response to alienation (Gazing par 9 & 13). Thurot and Thurot (as cited in Gazing par 12 )argued that tourism doesn't reflect the alienation of modernity, but rather it reflects people who are trying to follow a particular lifestyle which is important to their own culture. This time tourism is highly significant to humanistic conditions of modernity and post-modernity which are considered as one best industry of the world in response to present social conditions (Gazing Par 17). That recent people's lifestyle wants to get out from heavy work load, social problems, and various activities and now people wants to relax and have a short leisure time as a way of recharging themselves. These would makes them more efficient, productive, achiever and getting higher work performance in any organization if given enough time to go out with their families and friends. They are trying to experience and enjoying them by playing, doing mountain claiming, picnic, surfing and many more just to unload baggage's and refresh themselves from heavy burden, problems and anxiety. That any touristic activity in the modern person's is trying to understand societies preference between work and leisure. That any touristic activity are considered as highly significant and was given more emphasis or highly organized than work." (Sarah Klein Par 18/ 21). Dean McCannell's (as cited by Erin Madorsky par 1 &2) and it does something about modern society. Now modernity is trying to push to break the everyday's activity, to experience further, to sense more, to digest more, to move within, to act, to absorb and to sense which employs semiotics understanding of one's relationships now becomes as a "touristic culture" which was characterized by continuous practice of touring around the world. A modern lifes that are mobile and restlessness in search for authenticity as a result of rapid industrialisation (Erin Madorsky par 3 & 6). They keep on touring searching for something that are better that can satisfy and complete oneself happiness (Franklin and Crang as cited bySarah Zoogman responds Par 4). There are observations that in postmodernity it exhibits a greater resistance in making sacrifices in lieu of progress in which our environment is the usual victim of such conditions (Postmodernity par 26). Example, the usage of synthetic chemicals in lieu of traditional way of farming because recent technology wants to increase production so they are now using genetically modified organism just to alter the genetic makeup of certain crop species. Likewise, there are some developer who is trying to destroy the natural scenery of certain area by cutting some trees to come up for a total modification of certain tourist spots by establishing a highly modernize structure that completely suites to the tourist needs, current fashion and lifestyle just to satisfy human wants. But based on sociological point of view of postmodernity, tourism is focusing on the conditions of life in the late 20th century in a most industrialized nations. These include the ubiquity of mass media and mass production, the unification into national economies of all aspects of production, the rise of global economic arrangements, and shift from manufacturing to service economies as a natural reaction of the people who are exposed to massive broadcasting and a society which was conditioned to mass production and mass politics ( Postmodernity par 25). Mass media production was so rapid due to current globalisation using interconnectivity as a result of post modernisation of a more advance technologies. It was dominated by television as the most influencial form of communication resulting to a wide accessibility to information and mass telecommunications. That it can even reach out to any part of the world even in the remote areas. But for Bauman's (par 14-15) postmodernity is referring to a 'liquid modern society' which he characterized as the posthumous form of modernity. That modern society is a process of order and progress to a more rationalized society. On the other hand, under philosophical and sociological points of view, post modernity can be identified and distinguished through its common basic points: That it is a decline of any absolute truths; the creation of relativity; the lack of purpose and direction in historical change. That any fragmentation and division of all academic subjects into a variety of perspectives - with no 'answers', no agreement, no certain single truths about the world that are summarized into some key features both modernity and postmodernity (Post Modernism par 5) such as: Key features or modernity: 1. Economic Production in an industrial and capitalist society with social class as the main form of social division. 2. Urbanisation in the growth of cities... 3. A Bureaucratic State with a powerful central government and administration... 4. Knowledge which was derived from scientific and rational thinking - Not religious such as no faith, magic or superstition... KEY FEATURES of POST MODERNITY namely: a. Growth of the service sector with a decline in manufacturing, an increase in part-time flexible and home working, and a rise in unemployment. b. The Spread of globalization both Business and Culture cross. c. National boundaries between 'McDonaldisation' & 'Disneyisation'... d. Fragmentation in an increasing diversity of culture in a "Pick & Mix" society. e. Massive loss of faith in Science and people which no longer believe in 'THE MYTH of TRUTH' (Lyotard). f. The End of Metanarratives with no 'big story' on Marxism and Functionalism can explain everything. g. An Abandonment of the optimism of the enlightenment that there is no objective progress, simply a 'playful celebration of chaos'. Here's another Characteristics of postmodernism as cited in Lecture 6: 1. 'Incredulity toward metanarratives' or grand narratives. It is a framework which purports to explain society in comprehensive terms, such as religion, science, Marxism, psychoanalysis, Enlightenment myths of progress and other theories that intend to explain all facets of life'( Lyotard qtd.Lecture 6). 2. The scepticism towards the idea of origins and causes, especially towards 'deep causes' which are often employed in order to make sense of 'the surface' (Frosh 24 qtd.Lecture 6). 3. Scepticism towards the collective future and destination, the mastery of nature, the rational control of social forms, a 'perfect' state of being or 'against utopia' and it has left humankind better off and liberated from the excessive ambitions of the past or simply in despair and crisis (Frosh qtd.Lecture 6). According to some studies, tourism was a result to globalization in the postmodernity due to flows of people and goods; mobility is a highly accessible that normalized the component of modern life as a result of industrialisation, (Sarah Zoogman responds Par 6). Globalisation really affects the lifestyle between the modern and postmodern society because of the interregnum period between an aging modern and an emerging postmodern era. "Globalisation is not a replacement term of imperialism and modernization, but it is caught up in the modernity/postmodernity" (Killner as cited by Rollason, 2007). Hobsbown as cited by Rollason argued that there are three aspects of globalisation namely: 1. Technical which is the abolition of space and time; 2. Economic which is the abolition of trade barriers and liberalisation of markets; 3. Cultural it is a trend towards homogenisation. Evolvement of various technology as a result of globalisation which is considered as the new way of colonisation in which through technology it conquers non-western countries influence developments in the west via satelite, internet connectivity and mass communication like IT, TV, telecoms, pharmacueticals, biotech as their means of economic links with other country. Also recent informations, technology, events, tourist destinations and many more posted in various websites that greatly influenced individual's lifestyle (lecture 9). Presently, tourist can link globally through Internet in any touristic experience as Parrinello outlines such as Pre-trip, Anticipation / Motivation, Travel to the Destination, On-Site behavior, Return Travel, and Recollection (Gazing 20-25), such as: 1. Booking, communication with future destinations, etc., via email relating to pre-trip; 2. Visiting online sites and getting ideas relating to anticipation / motivation; 3. Internet cafes and stations, global positioning technologies, digital cameras and video, relating to travel to the destination, on-site behavior and return travel; 4. Creating a web site and revisiting places one has visited online during recollection. According to Urry (2002) relates that media is one factor that play a crucial role in creating the tourist Gaze. In media structure a tourist are trying to choose the place where to visit and how the tourist looks at a particular site usually it was posted in the web and accessed by some tourist in the internet. For Urry(as cited Confronting the Tourist Vision Par 8), the media also play a crucial role in creating the tourist gaze as to the preparation of itinerary as reference of the tourist in choosing the right places to be visited and how the tourist looks at a particular site. Example: 1. Educational and spiritual tour for pleasure which are posted on site 2. The reverential gaze which looking for a shrine 3. The anthropological gaze in interpreting the cultural symbols of a place such as historical places. 4. The environmental gaze example observing various conservation practices like sanctuaries. 5. The mediatized gazes who are trying to recognize certain location famous for being solemn suited for recollection and retreats. These recent tourist gazes can be seen on television or other media facilities around the world such as journals, newspapers and various web sites. Today's media is trying to convinced people to venture another form of touristic activities due to outbreaks of various human illness. Thus they are advised to play sports as form of daily's exercised , socialize them with strangers and find some other entertainment. Now people are entertained at home by watching television. That todays tourist have a greater desire for something that stands out to access in diverse types of scenery and tourist locations, seaside resort via the media that become tedious (as cited Confronting the Tourist Vision Par10). In potentially superseding and incorporating modernity, post-modernism, advertising touristic discourse, gazing in the internet made somebody saw and have a new hyper-touristic experience by resituating them in a hyper-real networks of information, thus reforming the tourist's cultural identity (Gazing par 56 ) That in the postmodern world, there are two types of citizens based on Bauman, namely: 'Tourist and Vagabond' into several complementary types of postmodern being: 'tourist', 'stroller', 'player', 'vagabond' and 'juxtaposes' them to a pilgrim (the traditional traveller with an aim) (qtd.in Lecture 9). Tourist plight was something that manifest for freedom of choice'. Through globalisation it is geared to the tourists' dreams, desires and happiness (Bauman 1998: 92-93 qtd.in Lecture 9). Vagabond wants to be a tourist like everyone else because that is the most desirable and acceptable form of being. They both 'desire' and are subject to the created sense of insufficiency which are related to money. But then again, the object of adoration is not wealth itself but what one can do with it, the ability to pick and choose the contents of their lives. Vagabond looks up to the tourist: 'in the society as travellers, in a travelling society, tourism and vagrancy are two faces of the same coin' (Bauman 1998: 96). A world without vagabonds is the utopia of a society of tourists: the politics, obsession with law and order, criminalisation of poverty are an attempt to lift the world to the level of that utopia (Bauman 1998: 97 (qtd.in Lecture 9). But postmodernity does not presume that all people are equal. Bauman (qtd.in Lecture 9) it clarifies that not all people are fortunate enough to do some touristic activities these are rich people or high ranking officials, businessman and middle man. It signifies that in postmodernism, there are two classification of people in terms of being and not being able to move freely called 'better off' (in terms of money, education etc) are freer to move like the first world people. They are globally mobile, for whom space has lost its constraining quality and can be traversed both in real and in virtual terms that time and space doesn't matter for them. Why because they have enough resources (money) that they can travel anywhere around the world, (Bauman 1998: 87). The second world traveler's are 'locally tied', those barred from moving and bound to bear passively whatever change may occur upon them. They live in space which is concrete and constraining and under constraints of 'immigration controls, residence laws and so on. They travel surreptitiously, illegally, out of necessity (Bauman 1998: 89(qtd.in Lecture 9). Bauman (qtd.in Lecture 9) evokes the 'third world' that are considered as under class, immigrants and the people displaced for a variety of reasons (economic, educational, natural disasters, wars etc) that post modernity results to various social classification of 'people'. That tourism in the postmodernity are classified according to their status in life. Conclusion: Post modernity is really a "cultural and intellectual phenomenon" of the new era. It focuses on social aspects of life that was greatly affected by massive industrialisation as a result of globalisation. Todays people are over loaded with work, problems and overwhelmed with various wants and desires that make us busy. This is because; people are greatly influenced by recent fashion and lifestyle that the first worlds are doing. As a person we want to have it. So, we keep on working that made us no time for the family and yourself. That anyone is bombarded with work just to cope up the trend of the society that was greatly influenced by mass. Now, people's wants to get out and relax from heavy work load, social problems, and various activities spending it with families and friends even in a short leisure time as a form of recharging themselves. As a result, they become more efficient, productive, achiever and able to get high work performance in any organization. They wants to push to a break the routinary activity, to experience further, to sense more, to digest more, to move within, to act, to absorb and to sense more leading to understand one's relationships with other people which becomes todays as a "touristic culture". Globalisation is really affects the lifestyle between the modern and postmodern society because of the interregnum period between an aging modern and an emerging postmodern era. Any touristic activity can be link globally through Internet such as Pre-trip, Anticipation / Motivation, Travel to the Destination, On-Site behavior, Return Travel, and Recollection (Gazing 20-25), such as: 1. Booking, communication with future destinations, etc., via email relating to pre-trip; 2. Visiting online sites and getting ideas relating to anticipation / motivation; 3. Internet cafes and stations, global positioning technologies, digital cameras and video, relating to travel to the destination, on-site behavior and return travel; 4. Creating a web site and revisiting places one has visited online during recollection. Today media is one factor that plays a crucial role in creating the tourist Gaze. That anyone can now post and can access in the web site any touristic activities, places to be visited and even accommodations. Now everything is easier and more convenient when compared to early 1900's. Now we can say that tourist as an integral part of postmodinity as a result of social fashion and lifestyle, social culture, status and classifications. That mostly it was the elites or rich which have enough resources (money) is more mobile and can travel anywhere he wants when compared to the less fortunate individual. That tourism spreads modernity to the society in various tourist attractions. It provides direct access to the modern consciousness of the 'world's trend'. They keep on touring searching for something authentic experiences that are better that can complete and satisfy oneself happiness. References: 1. Confronting the Tourist Vision. 2002. 30 December 2007. 2. Erin Madorsky responds . 2005. Confronting the Tourist Vision. 30 December 2007. 3. Gazing at the Box:Tourism in the Context of the Internet and Globalization.n.d. 30 December 2007. < htt6p://scottmacleod.co6m6/anth250v.htm> 4. John Urry, 2002. Confronting the Tourist Vision. 30 December 2007. 5. Lausti Tapani. Fear and loathing in an insecure world. 30 December 2007. 6. Lois Shawver . nd. What is Postmodernism 30 December 2007. 7. Microsoft Encarta Reference Library 2003. 1993-2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. 30 December 2007. 8. Modernity.2007. Wikipedia.org - GNU . 30 December 2007. 10. Postmodernity.nd. 30 December 2007. 11. Post Modernism .Sociology at Hewett. 30 December 2007. http://www.hewett.norfolk.sch.uk/curric/soc/POSTMODE/key.htm 12.PS 2208 Lecture 6 Postmodernism and Everyday Life. 13.PS 2208 Lecture 9. The Tourist and the Gaze. 14.Rollason, Christopher,2007. Postmodern Identity. 23 December 2007. 15. Ron Eyerman. Nd. Part One Modernity and Social Movements. 30 December 2007. < http://content.cdlib.org/viewdocId=ft6000078s&chunk.id=d0e2372> 16. Sarah Klein responds 2005. Confronting the Tourist Vision. 30 December 2007. 17. . Sarah Zoogman responds 2005. Confronting the Tourist Vision. 30 December 2007. 18. Tourist Productions . 2005. Tourist Studies & the Ethnography of Modernity. 30 December 2007. < http://www.nyu.edu/classes/bkg/touristblog/archives/12intro/> 19. Yochi Li's Response . 2005. Confronting the Tourist Vision. 30 December 2007. 20. Zigmunt Bauman Community.: Seeking safety in an Insecure World (2001) Polity Cambridge. ISBN. . 30 December 2007. 15. Dean MacCannell .1999. Confronting the Tourist Vision. Confronting the Tourist Vision. 2002. Read More