Apocalyptic Premeditations

The administration of George W. Bush mobilized support, in part, through its use of what media theorist Richard Grusin calls premediation, the evocation of potential futures in an attempt to modulate affective states. This essay argues that the premediatory logic of the Bush administration is best u...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Remes, Justin (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: University of Saskatchewan [2010]
In: Journal of religion and popular culture
Year: 2010, Volume: 22, Issue: 2
Online Access: Volltext (Resolving-System)
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Summary:The administration of George W. Bush mobilized support, in part, through its use of what media theorist Richard Grusin calls premediation, the evocation of potential futures in an attempt to modulate affective states. This essay argues that the premediatory logic of the Bush administration is best understood by linking it with the apocalyptic tradition. Bush, like the apocalypticists before him, used vague, disastrous premonitions to engender vulnerability and fear, thus encouraging an unquestioning acceptance of authoritarian rule. The Bush administration's premediatory strategy is best exemplified by two of its most famous campaign ads, along with the colour-coded terror alert system it introduced.
ISSN:1703-289X
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal of religion and popular culture
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.3138/jrpc.22.2.001