Theodor Adorno's Culture Industry

Theodor Adorno's concept of the "Culture Industry" refers to the idea that popular culture—like movies, music, and television—is produced in a manner similar to industrial goods. Within this framework, culture becomes a commodity, shaped to maximize profit rather than promote genuine artistic expression or critical thought. This commodification leads to standardization and homogenization of culture, limiting individuality and reinforcing existing social structures. Influenced by Marxism and Critical Theory, Adorno argued that this process distracts people from confronting social injustices and contributes to the maintenance of capitalism, ultimately inhibiting meaningful change.