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Politics & Society

Amusing Ourselves to Death

Politics & Society

Amusing Ourselves to Death

Politics & Society

Amusing Ourselves to Death

Neil Postman

Television gave birth to show business. Education, politics, and religion have all become entertainment through social media. But unfortunately, we risk becoming a Huxleyan dystopia without considering how television affects our outlook and cognition.

social-life

culture

13 min

6 Bite

Aperçu

De quoi s'agit-il ?

In Amusing Ourselves to Death (1985), the author examines television's destructive effect on public discourse. Throughout the last two centuries, the United States has evolved from being defined by the written word to being defined by banality and television.

Résumé du livre

Neil Postman (1931-2003) was an American educator, media theorist, and cultural critic known for his writings on the impact of technology and media on society. He was a prominent figure in the fields of media ecology and communication theory.

"Ignorance is always correctable. But what shall we do if we take ignorance to be knowledge?"

"The television commercial is not at all about the character of products to be consumed. It is about the character of the consumers of products."

"It is not necessary to conceal anything from a public insensible to contradiction and narcotized by technological diversions.”

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Toutes les bouchées

6 Bites

Our views on truth changed in accordance with the evolution of communication.

During the 19th century, America was driven by print media.

The development of photography and telegraphy paved the way for show business.

Public discourse transforms into entertainment on television.

Religion and politics are transformed into show business through television.

Television sways our perception of education and reminds us of Huxley’s warning.

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