Different elements of the 'postmodernism' theory in media.

1. ELEMENTS OF
POSTMODERNISM
1. Bricolage (literally, French for jumble)
2. Hybridity (something from more than one source in origin or
composition)
3. Intertextuality (the way in which texts refer to other media texts that
producers assume audiences will recognise.)
4. Hyperconsciousness (an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of
yourself and your situation)
5. Hyperrealism (an inability of consciousness to distinguish reality from a
simulation of reality)

2. Hell in a Handbasket by Voltaire
HYBRIDITY: EXAMPLE #1
Why is it an example of hybridity?
This song is sung to the tune of "The Saints Go Marching In.“, has lyrics taken from “My
Way” by Frank Sinatra, “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen, “The Number of the Beast” by
Iron Maiden and also contains the typical „call-and-response‟ found in Cuban music
(Voltaire was born in Cuba)

3. Buried Alive by Creature Feature
HYBRIDITY: EXAMPLE #2
Why is it an example of hybridity?
The song has a similar tune to “Sweet Dreams” by Eurythmics and lyrics
taken directly from the works of Edgar Allan Poe (“The Premature Burial”,
“Descent into the Maelstrom”, “The City in the Sea”, “The Murders in the
Rue Morgue” etc etc)

4. INTERTEXTUALITY:
EXAMPLE #1
Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys
Why is it an example of intertextuality?
It is a textual intervention on Charlotte Brontë's ”Jane Eyre”, Rhys's novel re-imagines
Brontë's devilish madwoman in the attic and the story is told from her perspective. “Wide
Sargasso Sea” acts as a prequel to the famous 1847 novel.

5. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
INTERTEXTUALITY:
EXAMPLE #2
Why is it an example of intertextuality?
It has extracts from The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Prometheus and Paradise
Lost. In fact, the original subtitle of the book is „The Modern Prometheus‟.

6. QI
HYPERREALISM:
EXAMPLE #1
Why is it an example of hyperrealism?
Questions about any massively promoted versions of historical or present „facts‟ which
seemingly have simple answers are proven to be far more complicated in the round
„General Ignorance‟

7. The Poughkeepsie Tapes (2007)
HYPERREALISM:
EXAMPLE #2
Why is it an example of hyperrealism?
It is an American documentary-style horror film. The events shown in the film have not
actually happened nor are the news reporters actual reporters, or the actors playing
themselves yet we are still under the impression that it did happen.

8. Why is it an example of bricolage?
Youth subcultural groups such as punks, often known for the Anarchy symbols on
their jackets, were eclectic as they took clothes associated with different class
positions or political parties and converted them into fashion statements that no
longer held their original meaning.
BRICOLAGE: EXAMPLE #1
Punk subculture

9. Lego Headband
BRICOLAGE: EXAMPLE #2
Why is it an example of bricolage?
Bricolage is very visible in fashion because the fashion world is ever evolving, and ever
concerned about being unique. It has even gone to the point where they use children's toys
as fashion statements, merging the „quirky and cool‟ aspect with the innocence of a
childhood toy.

10. Rats on Cocaine
HYPERCONSCIOUSNESS:
EXAMPLE #1
Why is it an example of hyperconsciousness?
Alice, in reply to Cage‟s paranoid thoughts, says „How many times do I have to tell you?
We‟re not a f*cking internet cartoon.” before they look around suspiciously. This shows
that they are aware that they are just fictional characters.

11. The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror: Nightmare Cafeteria
HYPERCONSCIOUSNESS:
EXAMPLE #2
Why is it an example of hyperconsciousness?
As Lisa and Bart are just a few steps from their deaths at the hands of their cannibalistic
teachers and a giant blender, Bart states that „I remain confident that something will come
along and save the two Simpson kids.‟, showing that he is aware of the fact that they always
find a solution at the last minute.