Blog assignment 7

The concept of a “symbolic universe” as a cultural structure of legitimation” is often apparent in low points of society such as the great depression and where world fairs were often made to express an idea of a brighter future where society was going to advance into a utopia. The main world fairs were held in the 1930s with the Century of progress exposition (CPE) which was held in Chicago in 1933-34 and the New Yorks world fair that was held in 1939-1940. In these fairs new technology were displayed to show a better world in the future and a way to improve living standards. 

Examples of a “symbolic universe” today is in a game called fallout which is set during the 22nd and 23rd centuries, its retro-futuristic story are influenced by the post-war culture of 1950s America, and its combination of hope for the promises of  a “better tomorrow” and a utopia. Here are close relevance of dire situations present in a society in the cold war where there is devastation (the great depression) and ideals of a near future world that is better than the one the society is in at the moment.

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Kihlstedt, F. (1986) Utopia realized: The world fairs of the 1930s.
Image sourced at: http://images.wikia.com/fallout/images/c/c0/Fallout_3_cover_art.png