In chapter two of Amusing Ourselves to Death, Postman writes about how the written word is much more credible than the spoken word. He states that “The written word endures, the spoken word disappears; and that is why writing is closer to the truth than speaking.”(21) Although this is a valid argument, it is not necessarily true. Just because something is written, doesn’t make it true. This may be the case sometimes, but more often than not, the spoken word is just as legitimate as the written word. A great example of this would be the news. The news is a very credible source of information, and it is also spoken word.
Postman goes on further to explain how the spoken word is not sufficient because no one believes it. But, if the person who is speaking these words seems credible, people will believe it, especially if it is someone very important or widely known. For example, if our president, Barrack Obama announced something on tv, people would believe him because he is widely known and well-respected.
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I'm on neutral ground.
ReplyDeleteThough it is true that not every written word is true the same goes for the spoken. Even more so though. With written word you know that someone actually took the time to basically cement what they agree or disagree on paper, with spoken word their thoughts are only fleeting, said out loud for everyone to hear just in that one time frame.
Spoken word is nothing but a personal opinion but it is still legitimate. People fight, have started wars, broken up countries and homes all based on spoken word. It may not be as cemented but either way it will still have an effect, especially if someone credible says it.
Still though, the spoken word has to be backed up with something, a fact, or a legitimate reason which, more often than not, is usually backed up with a written word. The news anchors rely on their script and Obama relies on the speech that is laid out on paper, probably sitting in front of him while he makes whatever speech about whatever problem he has to address.
Written word is the same.
Place your thoughts on a piece of paper which can be lost or damaged without anyone ever finding it and it will cease to exist.
If it is truly important then I sincerely believe that you cannot have one without the other.
In chapter 2, Postman was backing up to a few decades ago when things were just being introduced. Once the act of writing books and documents to get out what you wanted to say, it became increasingly popular until it took over the whole country. Books were everywhere, and whatever you read was true. Kind of like how we are in today's society with television; half of the time the newscasters and debaters are lying or "stretching the truth", but we listen anyway, and we believe anyway. It's just incorporated into our brains: whatever they say on television, on "serious" shows only, is automatically true. We barely read books for political or serious information anymore(unless for AP assignments), we turn on the tube and listen intently to it. Just like the people back then, books were new and everywhere, so naturally the thing of the past, speech, was forgotten or not taken seriously. Once a new form of communication arises, the last falls.
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