The 'loss' of the writer/sender, the 'rise' of the viewer

When French semiotician Roland Barthes announced that the author/sender had ceded their place to the reader/viewer, the calendar read 1968. In sociology and communication, the focus was no longer on the producer, but on the consumer.

Making choices from what is produced and obtaining satisfaction is the viewer's preference. And what determines this preference is the individual's free will! Yes, free will! Isn't that a beautiful phrase?

In essence, these choices exist within the dominant ideas of the organized and material gains and the totality of relationships that have come into being through the historical processes of the society in which one lives. This so-called free will is determined by what is present in society and by the individual's position within that society. In short, it is framed. But it is still a "free" will!

In our day, where production is not the priority but rather consumption and the consumer/viewer, in this age of populism, is the determinism of the determiner also a reflection of this free will?

VICTIMS OF INTERNSHIP AND APPRENTICESHIP INSURANCE ARE NOT GIVING UP

Victims of internship and apprenticeship insurance are not giving up the fight. Their demand is for the initial employment dates seen on e-Devlet to be counted as the start of their social security (SGK) coverage. That is their only demand. They studied and completed internships in vocational high schools, technical high schools, and apprenticeship schools. Among them are those who had accidents and were injured or left disabled at the workplaces where they worked. There are even those who lost their lives in accidents…

The victims of internship and apprenticeship have insurance cards given to them by the SGK. When the start dates on these are entered into e-Devlet, they appear as SGK registration. However, these SGK entries are not counted as the start of insurance. They raise their voices at every opportunity. They have associations and platforms all over the country. Most recently, they held a press conference in Bursa. Hundreds of people became one voice for their rights. They want the start of their internship and apprenticeship insurance to be accepted as the SGK employment start date. If you ask me, they are determined and do not look like they are going to give up.

IS INFLATION FALLING?

The Vice President stated that risks in the economy have been reduced and resilience against shocks has been increased, adding that Turkey is now continuing on its path with a much more robust structure.

Expressing that inflation rose temporarily by a certain amount while these risks were being reduced, he continued as follows:

“We previously said, ‘inflation will rise a bit but then it will fall. You will see a significant decline, especially in the second half of the year.’ Thank God we were not embarrassed; it had risen to 75.5 percent in May, it entered a downward process starting in June, there was a 23.5-point drop in the last 3 months, and it has reached 52 percent. It will be announced soon next month, we expect a figure in the 40s, below 50. We also have a forecast of around 41.5 percent at the end of the year. This time next year, our expectation is between 20 and 30 percent, and below 20 percent by the end of the year.”

Well then, is the citizen who goes out to the market aware of this picture that is trying to be created? Do they feel the effect of the promises, is the gap between the money in their pocket and their purchasing power closing?

Güngör Uras used to interpret the economy by asking, “How much does Aunt Ayşe’s shopping bag cost to fill?” How much does Aunt Ayşe pay to meet her basic needs? Have you ever asked? Or can she even meet them?