Amusing Ourselves to Death, What a book. Neil Postman brings up so many good points and explains his reasoning so well that it frustrated me. After finishing the book I couldn't think of one topic about media or technology that he left unexplained or untouched, he covered it all.
And today I came across an article about a man who was pressing charges against his cable company! Why? Because he claims the reason his wife is fat and the reason he smokes and drinks is because he and his wife have been watching T.V. everyday for 4 years. The article goes on to say that "He has a point." What? He has a point? That is probably the dumbest thing I've ever heard. "Watching T.V. is a lot like smoking. People know all the crummy side effects and continue to do it anyway," quotes one anti-T.V. ranter. It's true; You know that T.V. is wasteful and mind-numbing but you do it. You know that smoking causes cancer but hey, guess what? That ciggy is still in your mouth!
So, now that I am completed with the book I have one final question.
What would life be like without television?
Seems like a no-contest answer huh? But I really want to know what you all think. Would we resort back to how it was in the past? Would we be more active or try to discover technology? Also, what are your views on T.V.? Is it ruining your life? Or is it benefiting?
And today I came across an article about a man who was pressing charges against his cable company! Why? Because he claims the reason his wife is fat and the reason he smokes and drinks is because he and his wife have been watching T.V. everyday for 4 years. The article goes on to say that "He has a point." What? He has a point? That is probably the dumbest thing I've ever heard. "Watching T.V. is a lot like smoking. People know all the crummy side effects and continue to do it anyway," quotes one anti-T.V. ranter. It's true; You know that T.V. is wasteful and mind-numbing but you do it. You know that smoking causes cancer but hey, guess what? That ciggy is still in your mouth!
So, now that I am completed with the book I have one final question.
What would life be like without television?
Seems like a no-contest answer huh? But I really want to know what you all think. Would we resort back to how it was in the past? Would we be more active or try to discover technology? Also, what are your views on T.V.? Is it ruining your life? Or is it benefiting?
