Abstract
This study explores the ideological and cultural transformations in American society following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and examines the impact of these changes on the perception of adulthood. Using the animated series Aqua Teen Hunger Force as a case study, the article investigates how the series contributed to redefining the concept of adulthood in post-9/11 American society. This production, part of the Adult Swim platform, uses absurd humor and a narrative style that challenges traditional social norms, reflecting the individualistic and questioning youth culture of the time. The article argues that Aqua Teen Hunger Force is not merely a form of entertainment but also a reflection of broader ideo-logical and cultural shifts in American society. In this context, the series provides viewers with both a reprieve from political and social pressures and an opportunity to question traditional concepts of adulthood and identity. By highlighting the ideological implications of media products, this study seeks to enhance understanding of post-9/11 American society and culture.
References
- Arnett, J. J. (2004). Emerging Adulthood: The Winding Road from the Late Teens through the Twenties. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Bahr, S. (2021, September 21). Adult Swim: How an Animation Experiment Conquered Late-Night TV. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/02/arts/television/adult-swim-history-anniversary.html
- Browsh, J. B. (2022). Hanna-Barbera: a History. Jefferson: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers.
- Crawford, K. (2006). Adult Themes Rewriting The Rules of Adulthood. Australia: Pan Macmillan Australia.
- Elkins, E. (2014). Cultural Identity and Subcultural Forums: The Post-network Politics of Adult Swim. Television & New Media, 7(15), pp. 595-610. https://doi.org/10.1177/1527476413489354
- Faludi, S. (2007). The Terror Dream: Fear and Fantasy in Post-9/11 America. New York: Metropolitan Books.
- Gilles Deleuze, F. G. (1980). A Thousand Plateaus- Capitalism and Schizophrenia. London: University of Minne-sota Press.
- Klein, N. (2008). The Shock Doctrine- The Rise of Disaster Capitalism. New York: Metropolitan Books.
- Lee, H. J. (2013). All Kids Out of The Pool!: Brand Identity, Television Animations, and Adult Audience of Cartoon Network's Adult Swim. University of Iowa. https://doi.org/10.17077/etd.cpa56rhw
- Martin, R. (2003). Financialization of Daily Life. PA: Temple University.
- Mittell, J. (2004). Genre and Television From Cop Shows to Cartoons in American Culture. New York and London: Routledge.
- Smelser, N. J. (University of California Press). September 11, 2001 as Cultural Trauma. In J. C. Alexander, Cultural Trauma and Collective Identity (pp. 264-282). California: 2004.
- Smith, C. (2011). Lost in Transition- The Dark Side of Emerging Adulthood. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Turow, J. (1997). Breaking Up America: Advertisers and the New Media World. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
- Twenge, J. M. (2014). Generation Me: Why Today's Young Americans Are More Confident, Assertive, Entitled and More Miserable Than Ever Before. New York: Atria Books.
- Walker, A. Nancy (1998). What’s so funny?: Humor in American Culture. Wilmington: Scholarly Resources Inc.
Abstract
Bu çalışma, 11 Eylül 2001 terör saldırılarının ardından Amerikan toplumunda yaşanan ideolojik ve kültürel dönüşümleri, bu değişimlerin yetişkinlik algısı üzerindeki etkilerini incelemektedir. Örneklem olarak Aqua Teen Hunger Force adlı animasyon dizisini ele alan makale, dizinin 11 Eylül sonrası Amerikan toplumundaki yetişkinlik kavramının yeniden tanımlanmasına nasıl katkıda bulunduğunu araştırmaktadır. Adult Swim platformunun bir parçası olan bu yapım, absürt mizahı ve geleneksel toplumsal normlara meydan okuyan anlatımıyla, dönemin bireyci ve sorgulayıcı gençlik kültürünü yansıtmaktadır. Makale, Aqua Teen Hunger Force’un yalnızca bir eğlence aracı olmadığını, aynı zamanda Amerikan toplumundaki geniş çaplı ideolojik ve kültürel değişimlerin bir yansıması olduğunu savunmaktadır. Bu bağlamda, dizi hem izleyicilere politik ve toplumsal baskılardan uzaklaşma imkânı sunmakta hem de geleneksel yetişkinlik ve kimlik anlayışını sorgulamaya teşvik etmektedir. Çalışma, medya ürünlerinin ideolojik etkilerine ışık tutarak, 11 Eylül sonrası Amerikan toplumu ve kültürünün anlaşılmasına katkıda bulunmayı amaçlamaktadır.
References
- Arnett, J. J. (2004). Emerging Adulthood: The Winding Road from the Late Teens through the Twenties. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Bahr, S. (2021, September 21). Adult Swim: How an Animation Experiment Conquered Late-Night TV. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/02/arts/television/adult-swim-history-anniversary.html
- Browsh, J. B. (2022). Hanna-Barbera: a History. Jefferson: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers.
- Crawford, K. (2006). Adult Themes Rewriting The Rules of Adulthood. Australia: Pan Macmillan Australia.
- Elkins, E. (2014). Cultural Identity and Subcultural Forums: The Post-network Politics of Adult Swim. Television & New Media, 7(15), pp. 595-610. https://doi.org/10.1177/1527476413489354
- Faludi, S. (2007). The Terror Dream: Fear and Fantasy in Post-9/11 America. New York: Metropolitan Books.
- Gilles Deleuze, F. G. (1980). A Thousand Plateaus- Capitalism and Schizophrenia. London: University of Minne-sota Press.
- Klein, N. (2008). The Shock Doctrine- The Rise of Disaster Capitalism. New York: Metropolitan Books.
- Lee, H. J. (2013). All Kids Out of The Pool!: Brand Identity, Television Animations, and Adult Audience of Cartoon Network's Adult Swim. University of Iowa. https://doi.org/10.17077/etd.cpa56rhw
- Martin, R. (2003). Financialization of Daily Life. PA: Temple University.
- Mittell, J. (2004). Genre and Television From Cop Shows to Cartoons in American Culture. New York and London: Routledge.
- Smelser, N. J. (University of California Press). September 11, 2001 as Cultural Trauma. In J. C. Alexander, Cultural Trauma and Collective Identity (pp. 264-282). California: 2004.
- Smith, C. (2011). Lost in Transition- The Dark Side of Emerging Adulthood. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Turow, J. (1997). Breaking Up America: Advertisers and the New Media World. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
- Twenge, J. M. (2014). Generation Me: Why Today's Young Americans Are More Confident, Assertive, Entitled and More Miserable Than Ever Before. New York: Atria Books.
- Walker, A. Nancy (1998). What’s so funny?: Humor in American Culture. Wilmington: Scholarly Resources Inc.
Details
| Primary Language | English |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Animation, Computer Gaming and Animation |
| Journal Section | Araştırma Makalesi |
| Authors | |
| Early Pub Date | May 31, 2025 |
| Publication Date | May 31, 2025 |
| Submission Date | December 24, 2024 |
| Acceptance Date | May 28, 2025 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2025 Issue: 52 |
- Article Files