The change that took place was a shift in cultural values from an emphasis on writing (as seen in the newspaper) to an emphasis on entertainment (as seen in television). in American public discourse since the invention of television. But what Postman tries to point out is that it is hard to adapt to all these changes and to all these new kinds of media and that even though we are capable of adapting we end up losing our cultural compass as a consequence.
Conversations in our society have drastically changed as a result, shifting from thoughtful, serious debate to lighthearted amusement. What media advice did Lippmann offer? According to Lippmann, newspapers should distinguish clearly between news reports and commentary. According to his writing, newspapers ought to give readers clear, accurate information. His work encourages us to be thoughtful about the role of technology in our lives and to use it in ways that reflect our highest values.
Today, as we navigate an increasingly digital world, Postman's insights are more relevant than ever. Chapter 1 - The Medium is the Massage. Telegenetics: The Rise of Television Acting, Chapter 2. Chapter 3: We Laugh Until We Die. Chapter 5: Our Computerized World Chapter 4: Information Society or Information Civilization? Chapter 7: The Medium is the Massage Reexamined Chapter 6: Brave New World or Brave New Western? neil postman the end of education Postman wrote Amusing Ourselves to Death in 1985. As a result, human values like empathy, altruism, collaboration, social justice, civic duty, and spirituality are lost.
According to Postman, individualism, competitiveness, and self-interest are highly valued in the new technological society. Postman believed that replacing these social virtues with materialism, rivalry, and self-aggrandizement would have disastrous results. To understand Postman, it's important to consider two different meanings of the word "entertainment". Entertainment has always meant to amuse oneself or others. We've mixed up what we go to see with what we do. It can also refer to a location that provides entertainment or amusement.
In modern American society, entertainment is most often the latter of the two, though we have forgotten this distinction. Postman's first published book, Amusing Ourselves to Death, is a masterpiece of media criticism. It looks at how serious communication in the form of books, movies, and television has gradually given way to entertainment. And as Neil Postman notes, there have been numerous changes to our language, culture, and worldview, so this is not wholly new.
As a result we are constantly exposed to visual images, sound bites and information that is designed for us - to entertain us, to give us more to be amused about.
