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BA Media & Communication at Birmingham City University. I make websites and design for print, produce and present radio as well as take photos. Among other things.

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Catching Elephant is a theme by Andy Taylor

 

Arnold’s concept of “sweetness and light” defines his mass culture theory; that culture is achieved through perfection, which is an optimal mix between beauty and knowledge. The theory refers to “the best” knowledge, generally achieved through continual learning and perfection, will help you achieve “sweetness and light” . Still confused? Yeah, me too.For example, take the BBC News homepage. Under Arnold’s theory of the optimal mix of beauty and knowledge and continual learning in order to achieve perfection, and in turn culture, there are a number of ways in which we can evaluate the BBC News homage from this perspective:1. The website is constantly updating not only itself, but other pages with “the best” news content. Whilst the perception of “the best” may not necessarily be entirely objective, in Arnold’s theory if a user engaged with the website on a regular basis then they are working towards their “sweetness and light”. Therefore, keeping abreast of the latest news agenda can increase one’s level of perfection?2. In the last few months, the BBC have revamped the BBC News website design - Arnold’s beauty? Again an update as part of the continual improvement of the service, the re-design puts the most important stories at the forefront of the consumer experience.The website communicates values of authority and knowledge, brought about predominantly by the iconic status and reputation of the BBC but also the skill and knowledge of reporters. So does this mean that the website is perfect? Under Arnold’s theory if the website does have an optimal mix of both “sweetness and light” then it is cultured. Therefore does the website purvey a small amount of culture to it’s consumers?Image source: BBC News - Home (www.bbc.co.uk/news)

Arnold’s concept of “sweetness and light” defines his mass culture theory; that culture is achieved through perfection, which is an optimal mix between beauty and knowledge. The theory refers to “the best” knowledge, generally achieved through continual learning and perfection, will help you achieve “sweetness and light” . Still confused? Yeah, me too.

For example, take the BBC News homepage. Under Arnold’s theory of the optimal mix of beauty and knowledge and continual learning in order to achieve perfection, and in turn culture, there are a number of ways in which we can evaluate the BBC News homage from this perspective:

1. The website is constantly updating not only itself, but other pages with “the best” news content. Whilst the perception of “the best” may not necessarily be entirely objective, in Arnold’s theory if a user engaged with the website on a regular basis then they are working towards their “sweetness and light”. Therefore, keeping abreast of the latest news agenda can increase one’s level of perfection?

2. In the last few months, the BBC have revamped the BBC News website design - Arnold’s beauty? Again an update as part of the continual improvement of the service, the re-design puts the most important stories at the forefront of the consumer experience.

The website communicates values of authority and knowledge, brought about predominantly by the iconic status and reputation of the BBC but also the skill and knowledge of reporters. So does this mean that the website is perfect? Under Arnold’s theory if the website does have an optimal mix of both “sweetness and light” then it is cultured. Therefore does the website purvey a small amount of culture to it’s consumers?

Image source: BBC News - Home (www.bbc.co.uk/news)