The central topics of the works of the writer, educator, communication theorist, social critic and cultural commentator Neil Postman have always been the media, their different forms of communication and their meanings to people, society and culture. Any of his books was built around the McLuhan-question: “Does the form of any medium of communication affect our social relations, our political ideas, or psychic habits, and of course, as he [Marshall McLuhan] always emphasized, our sensorium” (Postman: 07/30/05)? Postman was aware of the fact that a new technology and therefore a new medium may have destructive as well as creative effects. During the history of mankind there have been tremendous changes in the forms, volume, speed and context of information and it is necessary to find out what these changes meant and mean to our cultures (Postman: 1985, 160). For him, it is a basic principle that “the clearest way to see through a culture is to attend to its tools for conversation” (Postman: 1985, 8). In the book “Amusing Ourselves to Death - Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business” Postman examines, from a 1980s viewpoint, the changes in the American culture caused by the shift from the Age of Reason with the printed word at its center to the Age of Show Business with television as the central medium - or in simplifying terms the shift from rationality to triviality. Twenty years later, the situation has changed again. This term paper will make an attempt to answer the question what the new media, especially the internet, did to the modern (American) culture and to its public discourse. Obviously, Postman’s provocative title “Amusing Ourselves to Death” was just the beginning of a fast moving development since nowadays the modern media world seems to shape our lives under the title “Informing Ourselves to Death” (Postman: 07/30/05) or to use one of the latest terms “Infotaining Ourselves to Death”. ..First of all, the following chapters will examine the line of Postman’s argumentation which led to the conclusion that television has significantly transformed the American society into an amusement and entertainment culture. What has happened and what was the role of the media? Was this the beginning of a “Brave New World”? As a matter of fact, Postman´s theories and statements are not to be taken as unreflected truth. Subsequently,some critical remarks are to be made from a 21 st -century viewpoint. [...]
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- "Amusing Ourselves to Death"
- The Theory: Medium, Content, Culture¹
- The Age of Exposition³
- Entering the Age of Show Business
- Television = Age of Show Business
- Example News: Entertainment and Disinformation
- Example: Commercials
- Critical Remarks
- Informing Ourselves to Death?
- Mass Media in the United States in the 21st Century
- The Internet
- A New Love Affair
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper examines the effects of media on American culture, particularly exploring the shift from a print-based, rational society to a television-driven, entertainment-focused culture as theorized by Neil Postman in his 1985 work, "Amusing Ourselves to Death." The paper also delves into the impact of the internet and new media on contemporary American society and public discourse, considering whether these technologies have brought about further changes in cultural values and modes of communication.
- The role of media in shaping culture and public discourse
- The impact of television on American society and its shift from rationality to triviality
- The emergence of the internet and its influence on the modern media landscape
- The potential consequences of new media on cultural values and public discourse
- Critical analysis of Postman's theories and their relevance to the contemporary media environment
Chapter Summaries
- Introduction: This chapter introduces Neil Postman's work and his central arguments regarding the influence of media on culture and society. It highlights the evolution of communication forms throughout history and their impact on cultural values and intellectual tendencies. The chapter also sets the stage for the paper's exploration of the shift from a print-based to a television-driven culture and the implications of the internet on contemporary media landscapes.
- "Amusing Ourselves to Death": This chapter delves into Postman's theory, examining the concept of how the medium of communication influences the content and nature of our culture. It explores how television, as a dominant medium, has transformed American society into an entertainment-focused culture, moving away from rationality and intellectual discourse. The chapter also analyzes the impact of television on news, information dissemination, and advertising.
- The Theory: Medium, Content, Culture¹: This section focuses on the central thesis that the medium of communication shapes the ideas we communicate and ultimately forms the content of our culture. It explores how different media, such as oral cultures and multi-media cultures, influence the way information is transmitted, interpreted, and disseminated.
- The Age of Exposition³: This chapter explores the era dominated by the printing press, referred to as the "Age of Exposition." It highlights the values and characteristics associated with this era, such as rationality, order, and a focus on written communication. The chapter also discusses the transition from this era to the "Age of Show Business."
- Entering the Age of Show Business: This section examines the rise of television as a dominant medium and its impact on American culture. It analyzes how television has transformed entertainment, news, and advertising, emphasizing the shift from a focus on rational discourse to a more entertaining and superficial approach to information.
- Informing Ourselves to Death?: This chapter explores the implications of the internet and new media on contemporary American society and its public discourse. It examines the effects of the internet on information dissemination, cultural values, and the way people interact with each other.
Keywords
This paper explores the crucial role of media in shaping culture and public discourse, focusing on the impact of television and the internet on American society. Key concepts include the relationship between media, content, and culture; the transition from a print-based to a television-driven culture; the emergence of the internet and its influence on modern media landscapes; the potential consequences of new media on cultural values and public discourse; and critical analysis of Neil Postman's theories and their relevance to the contemporary media environment.
- Quote paper
- Julia Schubert (Author), 2005, Neil Postman - Amusing and Informing Ourselves to Death, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/47177
