Amusing Ourselves To Death Neil Postman Analysis

Through David Letterman, Rudy and Ron’s fear as well as Edilyn’s confusion, Wallace examines television’s role in American culture especially in making pop culture. In fact, this

In Amusing Ourselves to Death, Postman uses an abundant amount of logos to argue his claim. The more that is read, the more difficult it is to dismiss his information. This is because of the consistent use of evidence presented in the form of logos. The entire book is incorporated with facts, statistics, dates, and general logical arguments. In chapter six, Postman stresses how television does not allow for the processing of thoughts. He states, “I should like to illustrate this point by offering the case of the eighty-minute discussion provided by the ABC network on November 20, 1983, following its controversial movie The Day After” (88). The discussion was broadcasted on television with intentions to have valued informational content, but failed miserably according to Postman. He argued this in a logical manner. The discussion lacked deep conversation and the speakers spoke in generalities, as the show did not allow an adequate amount of time. This is a great use of logos because it

The broadcast of television and its contents have influenced society as a whole. Whether it being commercials or news incidents, the television covers it all. With the vast amount of information being introduced to a wide span of audience, the television has altered the way a person takes in the given info. Despite all the advantages of the television, it generates bias amongst its viewers and converts their attentions on a certain issue, such as politics, for better or for worse. Although the invention of the television ventures to address political issues to the world, the television manipulates information so that a negative outlook would be pronounced on a particular candidate for a presidential election.

In chapter two, Wattenberg discusses television broadcasting and its impact with news networks such as NBC, CBS, and ABC. He quotes a 1972 study by Patterson and McClure in which they believed that although broadcasting allowed for Americans to see the campaign, it did not help teach voters anything of importance (32). TV news has become increasingly directed towards the elderly, with young people elsewhere or watching something else when politics are broadcasted (33). He illustrates this point with an example of the types of commercials aired for medications that while are suited for any age group, they are remedies for maladies or health concerns that older generations experience more than younger ones. Today, there are multitudes of television channels available for specific topics such as sports and music rather than the general topics the original major networks broadcasted, making it easier for young people to avoid the political events that once captivated the attention of Americans in previous generations. One study found that 21% of respondents under 30 years of age learned about the Presidential campaign or candidates from a comedy show instead of from newscasts (40). Although some find information indirectly through entertainment TV, a 2004 survey proved that 7% of respondents who followed the campaign closely enjoyed it and were familiar with facts heavily relied on cable news channels as a source of information, proving that if

In an effort to expose the epistemology of television, which Postman believes has not been effectively addressed, he examines the effects of TV on several important American cultural institutions: news, religion, politics and education.  All four institutions, Postman argues, have realized that they have to go on television in order to be noticed which, in turn, requires them to learn the language of TV if they are to reach the people.  Therefore, they have joined the national conversation not on their own terms, but on TV's terms.  Postman contends that this transformation of our major institutions has trivialized what is most important about them and turned our culture into "one vast arena for show business" (80).  In the case of broadcast news, we see visually stimulating, disconnected stories about murder and mayhem along with a healthy dose of infotainment delivered by friendly and likeable anchors that remind us to "tune in tomorrow".  In the case of politics, we have discourse through distorted paid TV commercials and "debates" in which the appearance of having said something important is

All throughout history we have used metaphors to describe people, places, events and emotions; so it is perfectly fitting to describe the mediums with which we project our ideas as a metaphor as well. This is Neil Postman 's basis for his book Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business. Television and other media outlets have conditioned us to accept entertainment in every aspect of life; but most of all it masks the state of public affairs and politics. Through his book, Postman begs that we recognize the ways in which media shapes our lives and how we can use them to serve us instead of hurt us. Broken into two parts, Amusing Ourselves to Death focuses on a historical analysis of media, then discusses the television media-metaphor in more detail. Postman examines how media has infected every aspect of public discourse by prizing entertainment as the standard of truth.

I don’t think the specific knowledge a student needs to succeed in school can be defined. It all depends on what you want to learn, what you find interesting, or simply whatever knowledge you may need to get a degree. In Neil Postman’s book Amusing Ourselves to Death, he devotes a whole chapter to epistemology. Epistemology is the study of knowledge. Do you ever dread going to those long lecture classes or those classes where you strictly read or write?

He decries how we are presented not only with fragmented news but news without context, consequences, value, leaving behind crucial seriousness. The most abhorrent story yet will only receive a short bit of attention only to be abstracted from the next story. There is no time for reflection and the captivating expression of the news- adorable news anchors, amiable music, brilliant transitions- only reinforce the idea that the information we receive isn’t considered in the context of our lives. Postman articulates that the now this are words such as but not limited to, back to you, I’m going to leave it here, and that does it for now. In addition after reviewing the news segment from News 7 I witnessed the rapid transitions that Postman speaks of. Each segment lasted a total of perhaps nine seconds which told me it wasn’t crucial. Then the topic of the Mosque shooting in Quebec City, Canada made an appearance across the screen. This segment endured a time frame of approximately five minutes, longer than any other news article on News 7. If a topic last more than a few minutes I can assume that it may be significant to the

In Amusing Ourselves to Death, by Neil Postman, Postman instills his thesis supporting the concept that “all public discourse increasingly takes the form of entertainment” which created a position where Americans are “slowly amusing ourselves to death” (3-4). He furthers this in stating that our discourse works through “media-metaphors” which function to define our world yet gives us no detail of anything at all. These forms of discourse result in limiting and regulating what the world must be which ultimately hinders a society altogether. Postman connects this with society through his belief that the way we receive truth and the technologies that do so define a society’s truth. He then shifts to analyze the impact of television as a medium

In the article Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman, he brings into question if our society has in fact, delved into the story line of a George Orwellian or Brave New World scenario. In George Orwell’s 1984, the culture had gotten rid of useful and sufficiently communicative language, as well as written text contradicting anything to do with the government. The characters, along with being forbidden individual or radical thoughts, were deprived of their individualism and history. The Brave New World scenario, as mentioned by Postman, portrays another story. Instead of having external oppression, as in 1984, the characters willingly gave themselves over to the love of technology that, “undo their capacity to think.” Postman believes that the American culture is moving towards a Huxleyan future and gives an example in a study taken in 1983 by the Nielsen Report on Television. He summarizes that the average American child watches 5,000 hours of television before they even start school, and 16,000 hours by the time they graduate high school. This startling data contributed to a growing alarm that both television and other aspects of daily life (church, school, news, politics) are leaning more towards the pull of entertaining its audience than delivering

“The whole problem with news on television comes down to this all the words uttered in an hour of news coverage could be printed on one page of a newspaper”. The average news cast is only twenty-two minutes long,and that's not nearly enough time to cover the days events.In Neil Postman’s essay “The News” Postman talks about the structure,content,and goals and results of a television news cast. The news can be compared to the theatres in terms of its structure. According to Postman, “Music takes us immediately into the realm of the symbolic, a world that is not to be taken literally.”

The powerful media barons have always altered broadcasts to achieve their personal or corporate agenda. What purpose does the media serve now? Measuring Bias on Television by Barrie Gunter has elaborated on the idea that news was originally set up to act as a national tool to stir thoughts. But is it? No! Is the media even enlightening the public now? After careful speculation of mass media and the communication world, I am under the impression that broadcasts have been used to entertain, frighten and cause controversy as a means to keep people watching.

He uses the example of Roman Catholic priest that interjects the hits of Billboards Top 10 into the mix of his sermons (p. 93). He cites a triple by-pass surgery broadcast on TV. A Howard Cosell and Dandy Don Merideth style of calling it play by play followed by witty, pithy remark informed the viewers what was happening like it was Monday Night Football. (p. 94). He uses a rape trial in New Bedford, MA and compares that there was little difference with the daily soap opera (p. 94). He contrasted the debates of the 1984 elections with those of Lincoln-Douglas. These nationally televised debates were more about who had the best one-liner zinger over the content of what their policies. Reagan’s famous one-liner about age was noted (p. 97). Furthermore, he describes how the entertainment of education pioneered by shows likes “Sesame Street” has transformed as far as university education. For illustration, he utilizes Rutgers University Professor Charles Pine gimmick of writing past the blackboard for his students’ amusement as an example (p. 94). All these examples show how the cultural effects of television are twisting all somber aspects of life into forms of

First I have a reaction to the article “Why do people watch religious television”. In addition, it gave way to thinking of what other research could be performed on programming using the uses and gratifications approach. The article also included the topic of “reactionary” usage of religious programming, which is programming that people watch when there is no other program on that they want to watch.

Mass media programs have influenced civilizations for decades. Radio, television, and social media all play apart in shaping society’s interpretation of the world around them, as well transmitting information that becomes a shared world view among large groups of people. Throughout the years, much research has been completed over how media affects society, and public opinion of the media and its effects has changed drastically over the years. One specific event that many people point at when discussing the power of media is Orson Welles’ infamous War of the World’s radio drama, which broadcasted the night before Halloween in 1938. It’s purported that the radio drama was so realistic and powerful that it led the public into a state of mass panic -- causing frenzied police calls, mass exodus, and suicide attempts before Orson Welles reassured his listeners that it was just a bit of Halloween fun.