Tuesday, June 11, 2019
My Thoughts on Amusing Ourselves to Death
Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman is an interesting novel to me yet may be boring to others. From what I've read so far, each chapter is dense and the vocabulary can be a lot to take in. For me, the book is interesting in the way Postman perceives and discusses how the world has evolved and changed. Slowly we have transitioned from writing and printing to image-based entertainment. Back then, people actually took the time to read, understand, evaluate, and argue through literacy. Nowadays though, television and photography has taken the world by storm. Information given through television programs are all irrelevant and incoherent. There's a "simple language" that must be spoken for people to be able to understand what's going on. Even then, what's considered to be an educational program on T.V. still has an element of entertainment in it to appeal to young audiences. Moving on to a slightly different aspect, readers have to read slowly in order to be able to comprehend and analyze the text correctly. If you aren't interested in the topics discussed and you can't understand the complex ideas and wording, the novel may bore some of you. Overall for me though, Amusing Ourselves to Death is an interesting take on the concept that our lives are now centered around television and the entertainment it brings. - Emily Chang
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I too understand how much complexity this novel poses, and how readers must take on an analytical mindset in order to fully comprehend the novel. However, I can also agree with your point regarding Postman's perspective, where public discourse has slowly transitioned to one based on visually stimulating and entertaining value, rather than factual value. The introduction of visual media to deliver messages, instead of prior times of literature or oral traditions, have propelled society in a direction that neglects discussions or rational interpretations. I like how you condensed such an intricate message and novel into something easily understood as well!
ReplyDeleteI can relate to the vocabulary and ideas that may have been a bit challenging while reading this book. I was also interested in the way that Postman expressed his thoughts on how the world has changed. He mentions quite a bit that many programs on television are being altered to fit the entertainment desires of the viewers. I also felt that it was important when Postman noted that the translation of a message from one form of communication to another can get lost in the process. I was able to clearly understand his example of the condolence letter not having the same sentimental value as the message being said in person. I feel that you have made a strong explanation as to describing how Postman felt on the transition from printing to television.
ReplyDeleteI fully agree with your assessment that television messages are being altered to fit in with the entertainment desires of its audience. This goes along with what Postman says, that "the medium is the metaphor."
ReplyDeleteHowever, I would also like to point out that, while television makes its gearing toward entertainment rather obvious, does not all forms of communication gear towards entertainment? A successful orator builds his speeches to enrapture an audience, and to keep their attention. This could be thought of as entertainment. The written word does this as well. Newspapers especially, but also other novels and books are geared towards our entertainment, and therefore our continued use of those mediums for communication.
I do agree with you Tyler on the point that technically all forms of communication gear towards entertainment. It can be either the things we easily find ourselves distracted with or immersed in as humans.
DeleteIn the past, there was a lot of literature and speech that was a source of entertainment for people. It was a way for them to pass time and socialize instead of being glued to a screen like many of us in the present day. There are different types of audiences that any form of entertainment tries to cater to. An example would be newspapers (as you pointed out). They gear towards more adult or an older generation audience rather than younger audiences. Or nonfiction texts that cater more towards people that are actually interested in the topics being discussed and argued. It's interesting how the world has evolved like this.