Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business
Neil Postman
9 Key ideas
25 MINS
4.8 (2.3k)
Society & Culture Politics
Do you want to understand how the rise of television has transformed public discourse and our understanding of the world?
Are you curious about the shift from print media to television and its consequences for politics, religion, and education?
Looking for an in-depth exploration of how media shapes our perception of truth and reality, and the challenges we face in navigating this landscape?
Ready to critically engage with the medium of television and its inherent biases?
Dive in to uncover how we can maintain the quality of public conversation in the age of show business.
Do you want to understand how the rise of television has transformed public discourse and our understanding of the world?
Are you curious about the shift from print media to television and its consequences for politics, religion, and education?
Looking for an in-depth exploration of how media shapes our perception of truth and reality, and the challenges we face in navigating this landscape?
Ready to critically engage with the medium of television and its inherent biases?
Dive in to uncover how we can maintain the quality of public conversation in the age of show business.
Key Ideas
Read | Listen - Full summary
#1
Is Media Shaping Our Culture and Redefining Reality?
01 Jan 1970
02:06
02:06
#2
From Print to Screen: How Media Shifts Shape Our Understanding of Truth and Knowledge
01 Jan 1970
03:53
03:53
#3
Has Evolution of Communication Tech from Telegraph to Television Made Our Conversations More Superficial?
01 Jan 1970
03:00
03:00
#4
Television: The Trivialization of Information and Birth of a Discontinuity Culture
01 Jan 1970
03:46
03:46
#5
Are TV Preachers Like Reverend Terry and Pat Robertson Reducing Religion to Mere Entertainment?
01 Jan 1970
02:15
02:15
#6
Image Politics: The Transformation of Political Discourse in the Television Age
01 Jan 1970
03:10
03:10
#7
Is Sesame Street and Television Influencing Traditional Schooling and Our Perception of Learning?
01 Jan 1970
02:20
02:20
#8
Orwellian Prison vs Huxleyan Burlesque: Navigating the Impact of Media on Our Culture
01 Jan 1970
02:53
02:53
#9
Final Recap
01 Jan 1970
02:36
02:36
About Author
Neil Postman (1931-2003) was an influential American critic, writer, and educator known for his insights into the impact of media and technology on society. He authored numerous books, but is best known for "Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business," published in 1985. In this seminal work, Postman argues that television's entertainment-focused format has degraded the quality of public discourse, turning serious issues into shallow spectacles. His work remains relevant in discussions about the effects of media on culture and communication.
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