Talk:Imaginary (sociology)

Latest comment: 8 years ago by StraboVarenius

The article is still full of jargon, and seems like a mash up of book introductions. The language needs to be simplified, and the sources increased. Media studies is also a major area that studies the imaginary, which might deserve a separate article. --StraboVarenius (talk) 00:39, 16 September 2015 (UTC)Reply

While not constituting an established reality, the social imaginary is nevertheless an institution inasmuch as it represents the system of meanings that govern a given social structure. These imaginaries are to be understood as historical constructs defined by the interactions of subjects in society. In that sense, the imaginary is not necessarily "real" as it is an imagined concept contingent on the imagination of a particular social subject.
Que? Matthew Platts 02:23, 13 August 2005 (UTC)Reply

I took the word "memeplex" out of the definition--it's not helpful to use one kind of jargon to expain another.--WadeMcR 20:18, 13 June 2006 (UTC)Reply

anthropology edit

Imaginary as presented in this article is not limited to sociology but is also major anthropological concept.--BMF81 10:21, 18 July 2007 (UTC)Reply


Indeed. The New Media & Digital Culture MA program at Utrecht University will take up editing of this article in the coming weeks Newmediautrecht (talk) 15:55, 28 October 2010 (UTC)Reply

Comprehensibility? edit

Some, if not most, of what is written would be impossible for laymen to understand. Take the quote above. What does "constituting" mean? what does an "established reality" mean? ie. are there other kinds of reality? What are "systems of meanings"? can you give examples? what does it mean to "represent" this system? --RedHouse18 21:27, 15 May 2008 (UTC)


You're fighting a losing battle, my friend. This is an article about a term whose very objective is to confuse the issue, rather than to clarify it.