Flawed Cosmopolitanisms of Being Human: Mediation and Worldmaking in Media Discourses of Terrorism

The Sociological Imagination

With a clear and analytical lens, sociologists dissect the undercurrents of social unrest and global phenomena. None have done so as incisively as Zygmunt Bauman, whose examination of consumer society provides a poignant backdrop for today's issues. The concept of sociological imagination is required now more than ever, as the prevalence of terrorism within media discourse demands a critical evaluation of our shared human experience and the expressions of cosmopolitanism—or lack thereof.

Constructing 'Otherness' in Media Narratives

Often, media narratives on terrorism not only disseminate facts, but also create powerful tropes that reinforce 'Otherness.' This dichotomy of 'us' versus 'them' embedded within these discourses highlights a flawed cosmopolitan outlook, which suggests an ideal of global citizenship and solidarity that is contradicted by divisiveness and exclusion in practice.

Mediation of Terror: The Role of Media

The media's role in shaping public perception is indisputable. Coverage of terrorist acts goes beyond reporting; it mediates a reality that influences both policy and societal attitudes. This mediation molds our worldmaking—the way in which we construct and understand the world around us—often perpetuating flawed understandings of humanity under the guise of unity and collective identity.

Consumerism and Societal Divides

In his dissection of consumer culture, Bauman suggests that the chasm between those who consume effectively and those who cannot is growing wider. The unrealistic standards set by a consumptive lifestyle create societal divides that form the impetus for acts of desperation and rebellion against a system perceived as excluding significant portions of the population from the 'Church of Consumerism.'

The Alienation of the 'Have-Nots'

The 'have-nots,' as Bauman articulates, are banished outside the temples of consumer prosperity—malls and retail heavens. When media discourses paint these individuals as threats rather than participants in global consumer culture, they reinforce a worldview underpinned by flawed values, creating a breeding ground for discontent and fostering the conditions for acts like the riots seen across Britain in the summer of 2011.

Challenging Media Discourses for a Cosmopolitan Future

Despite these challenges, the possibility for a genuine cosmopolitan ethos exists. To achieve this, there needs to be a conscious effort to demystify media narratives on terrorism, to pursue inclusivity, and to maintain a sociological imagination that challenges us to see beyond the sensationalism and fear, towards a narrative that inclusion and understanding in worldmaking.

Imagining Differently: Worldmaking and Travel

To conclude, one of the antidotes to the flawed cosmopolitanism relayed by media may lie in the transformative power of travel. Travel fosters genuine encounters and narratives countering the manufactured 'Otherness' of media discourses. It provides experiential understanding that can bridge divides, encourage empathy, and promote a truer, more inclusive cosmopolitanism—one that aligns with the ideals of being human in a connected world.