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.

Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business

Throughout history, different American cities have reflected the nation's spirit, from Boston's political radicalism in the late 18th century, to New York's symbol of the melting-pot in the mid-19th century, to Chicago's industrial energy in the early 20th century. 

Today, Las Vegas epitomizes our culture's obsession with entertainment, illustrating a society increasingly transforming public discourse into show business.  

The influence of television on society has shifted the content and meaning of public discourse. The medium dictates the message, shaping how we view and understand the world. Formerly, the written word was the dominant medium, enabling critical thinking and philosophical discourse. However, television, with its emphasis on visual imagery, has transformed the nature of communication.

Notably, the content referred to as "the news of the day" is a product of media, brought to life through the rapid dissemination of decontextualized information. Without such media, this "news" as we know it wouldn't exist.

Plato, recognizing the transformative power of writing, had intimated that each medium of communication recreates culture anew, framing our perception of reality. Every tool we create carries an idea beyond its function. For instance, the invention of eyeglasses in the 12th century suggested that human beings need not accept nature's endowments as final. 

In essence, our media are our metaphors, shaping the content of our culture. Whether it's the precision of a clock, the symbolism of written words, or the commodification of news via the telegraph, these media metaphors define the way we perceive and interact with our world.

Is Media Shaping Our Culture and Redefining Reality?

America is in the midst of a profound shift in how it understands truth, driven by changes in media. In the age of the printing press, public discourse was serious, rational, and coherent. The printed word demanded deep thinking, disciplined reading, and logical argumentation. 

But with the rise of television, the nature of discourse has changed dramatically. Television prioritizes entertainment, emotion, and immediacy. It presents snippets of information and emphasizes visual appeal over intellectual depth. As a result, serious conversations get diluted, and complex ideas are often reduced to simple, sometimes nonsensical, sound bites.

This shift is not just about aesthetics but epistemology—the study of knowledge and truth. The medium through which we receive information shapes our understanding of what is true. For instance, in oral cultures, proverbs and sayings were the bedrock of wisdom. In print cultures, written words were seen as more reliable and reflective of truth because they could be scrutinized, referenced, and preserved. In contrast, television, with its rapid, fleeting images, offers a different kind of truth—one that is more about impression and feeling than analysis and evidence.

Television's influence extends to various aspects of life, including law and education. In courts, while testimony is still delivered orally, the reliance on written documents for legal truth remains paramount. Similarly, in universities, the printed word holds more authority than spoken accounts, reflecting a deep-seated belief in the permanence and reliability of text over speech.

Historical examples illustrate how different media shape our concepts of truth. Socrates, for instance, was judged not just on his ideas but on his manner of speaking, which did not align with the rhetorical standards of his time. Likewise, Aristotle's reliance on deductive reasoning, rather than empirical observation, was a product of the print culture of his era.

The shift from print to television has had significant consequences. Print culture encouraged critical thinking and deep engagement with ideas, fostering a public discourse that was serious and rational. Television, however, promotes a more superficial engagement with information, leading to a culture that values entertainment over substance.

This change has profound implications for how we understand intelligence and knowledge. In print cultures, intelligence is associated with the ability to engage with abstract ideas and logical arguments. In television cultures, intelligence is often measured by one's ability to entertain and captivate an audience.

While television has its benefits, such as providing comfort and entertainment, its dominance over public discourse is concerning. The decline of print-based epistemology and the rise of television-based epistemology have led to a degradation of serious, rational public conversation. This shift has made us more susceptible to trivial and absurd content, threatening the quality of our collective decision-making and understanding of the world.

From Print to Screen: How Media Shifts Shape Our Understanding of Truth and Knowledge

In the 19th century, the invention of the telegraph and photography revolutionized communication, transforming it from a slow, thoughtful process into a rapid, fragmented one. This shift was dubbed "The Age of Exposition," characterized by the telegraph's ability to transmit information instantly, and photography's ability to capture reality in a snapshot.

This new era dramatically altered the way people perceived and interacted with the world. News became a commodity and was consumed for entertainment rather than for its relevance or usefulness. The telegraph and photograph, by prioritizing speed and visual appeal over depth and context, created a disjointed and superficial public discourse.

At the heart of this shift was the dichotomy between image and language. While language requires thought, interpretation, and a consideration of context, images are immediate, concrete, and devoid of context. The telegraph and photograph, therefore, privileged the image over language, leading to a culture that valued immediacy and spectacle over reasoned argument and critical thought.

This shift in communication affected all aspects of society, from politics to education to religion. The public came to understand these subjects not through thoughtful, reasoned discourse, but through the rapid, fragmented, and decontextualized information provided by the telegraph and photograph.

With the advent of television in the 20th century, this trend was solidified. Television combined the immediacy of the telegraph with the visual appeal of the photograph, creating a medium that was both engaging and entertaining. It also brought this new form of communication into the home, making it an integral part of everyday life.

As a result, television has become the dominant form of public discourse, shaping our understanding of the world and the way we communicate. It has created a culture that values entertainment and spectacle over reasoned argument and critical thought, a culture that is more interested in the spectacle of the news than in its relevance or usefulness.

This shift in communication and the resulting changes in society are not necessarily negative. They are simply different, reflecting the evolving nature of technology and culture. 

However, it is important to be aware of these changes and to consider their implications for our understanding of the world and our place in it. 

Has Evolution of Communication Tech from Telegraph to Television Made Our Conversations More Superficial?

A dedicated graduate student faced a dilemma when his only lamp broke the night before a major exam. Ingeniously, he used his TV as a light source by turning it on, muting it, and reading by its glow. This highlights one quirky use of television, but it underscores a larger issue: TV's role in our culture. Unlike the printing press that amplified literate culture, television redefines public discourse, prioritizing visual spectacle over substantive content.

Television, originally an extension of the telegraph and photograph, operates not just as a technology but as a medium deeply embedded in social and intellectual contexts. Its inherent bias towards visual entertainment shapes how it presents information. For instance, American TV shows like "Gunsmoke," "Star Trek," and "Dallas" have gained international popularity, not because America is particularly loved, but because its television is visually captivating and emotionally gratifying.

TV has transformed entertainment into the default mode for all experiences, including news. News programs, for example, prioritize good looks and engaging visuals over depth and coherence. This leads to fragmented, context-less information that entertains rather than informs. The "Now ... this" format exemplifies this, shifting abruptly from one story to another, erasing any sense of continuity or seriousness.

Even serious attempts by TV to engage in thoughtful discourse, such as ABC's post-movie discussion of "The Day After," fall short. Despite featuring renowned figures like Henry Kissinger and Elie Wiesel, the format reduces complex issues to brief, isolated statements, prioritizing performance over substance.

This trend extends beyond news. In classrooms, courts, and even religious services, the emphasis is on entertainment. For example, a Catholic priest mixes sermons with rock music, and a Yale commencement audience reserves its loudest applause for actress Meryl Streep over humanitarian Mother Teresa.

The impact of TV's entertainment bias is profound. It shapes public perception and discourse, making coherence and contradiction irrelevant. Political figures, like Ronald Reagan, can make contradictory statements without consequence, as the public has grown indifferent to inconsistencies, focusing instead on the entertainment value.

The rise of TV and its influence on other media, like the visually-oriented "USA Today," further blurs the lines between news and entertainment. As a result, Americans are highly entertained but poorly informed, with a superficial understanding of events like the Iranian Hostage Crisis.

This culture of discontinuity and incoherence also diminishes the concept of contradiction, as events are not seen in a coherent context. This creates a society that is well-entertained but potentially poorly informed. In this environment, being well-informed is less about understanding complex issues and more about consuming bite-sized, entertaining news.

Television: The Trivialization of Information and Birth of a Discontinuity Culture

Television preachers such as Reverend Terry and Pat Robertson use the small screen to bring religion into people's living rooms. Reverend Terry, with her infectious energy and prosperity-focused messages, draws laughter and donations from her audience. 

Pat Robertson, on the other hand, hosts the successful "700 Club", combining the appeal of a talk-show host with a religious guide. His interviews, testimonials, and reenactments of despair and salvation captivate viewers, offering them a chance to participate in the faith from their couches. 

However, despite their success, these televangelists face criticism for reducing religion to entertainment. Their blending of faith with spectacle often prioritizes the preacher's charisma over the sacred message, leading to a form of idolatry. 

As television prioritizes personalities over abstract ideas, these preachers become the stars of their shows, overshadowing the divine they claim to represent. This phenomenon, while popular, raises concerns about the degradation of religious traditions and the potential trivialization of faith. 

Moreover, the environment in which religious television shows are experienced lacks the sanctity inherent in places of worship. The home cannot be easily consecrated for religious services, and the television screen, filled with memories of profane events, does not lend itself to introspection or spiritual transcendence. 

While some argue that the popularity of televised religion confirms a need among the masses, critics counter that transforming religion into entertainment can lead to its degradation as an "authentic object of culture". The challenge lies in preserving the essence of religious traditions while adapting to modern mediums and audiences' expectations.

Are TV Preachers Like Reverend Terry and Pat Robertson Reducing Religion to Mere Entertainment?

In "The Last Hurrah," Mayor Frank Skeffington educates his nephew on the gritty reality of politics, calling it the greatest spectator sport in America. Ronald Reagan, however, likens politics to show business, emphasizing artifice over authenticity. Unlike sports, where excellence is clear and undeniable, politics in the age of television becomes a spectacle designed to please rather than inform.

Ronald Reagan’s metaphor paints a picture of politics as an arena where appearance trumps substance. Unlike sports, where outcomes and skills are transparent, politics becomes a game of perception, heavily influenced by advertising. The television commercial, a powerful force in shaping public thought, has turned political discourse into a series of images and slogans rather than meaningful debate.

The commercial revolution, starting in the 1950s, shifted focus from rational discourse to emotional appeal. Advertisers learned that images could sell products better than words. This shift had profound effects not just on commerce, but on politics too. Political campaigns started to rely on quick, emotionally charged advertisements rather than detailed policy discussions. Candidates became brands, selling themselves as products rather than leaders.

This transformation has led to the rise of "image politics," where politicians are judged not by their policies or capabilities but by how well they can craft a pleasing image. Television has blurred the lines between politics and entertainment, making politicians into celebrities. They appear on TV shows, in commercials, and at events far removed from their political duties, shaping their public persona to fit the medium of television.

The rise of image politics has significant implications for democracy. It has led to a focus on the superficial aspects of candidates, such as their charm and appearance, rather than their qualifications or policies. Television's present-centered nature also erodes historical context, making it difficult for the public to see beyond the immediate and the sensational.

In this media-driven world, political discourse is stripped of depth and historical reference. It becomes instant therapy, a way to soothe and entertain rather than inform or challenge. This shift represents a fundamental change in how we engage with politics, prioritizing image over substance and entertainment over serious discussion. As a result, our understanding of political issues is often shallow, shaped by fleeting images rather than enduring principles.

Image Politics: The Transformation of Political Discourse in the Television Age

"Sesame Street", which debuted in 1969, was embraced by children, parents and educators alike. Kids adored the show for its fun and entertaining format that resembled TV commercials, and parents appreciated it because it seemed to justify screen time and took off some pressure from them to teach their preschoolers basics like reading. 

Educators also supported the show as it appeared to be a solution to teaching literacy, while making learning enjoyable.

However, "Sesame Street" and similar shows have potentially undermined traditional schooling. Classrooms are spaces for social interaction and critical thinking, but TV viewing is a passive activity. Moreover, the content of a television show and a lesson in school differ greatly. While a school requires active participation and adherence to rules, television shows are designed for entertainment and require no such commitments.

Despite these differences, the traditional classroom is evolving to mimic the entertaining format of television shows. Teachers are incorporating more visual stimulation, reducing exposition, and relying less on reading and writing assignments. 

This shift is evident in a project called "The Voyage of the Mimi", funded by the United States Department of Education, which combined television viewing with books and computer games around the theme of studying humpback whales. The content was chosen for its suitability for television, rather than its educational importance.

While television can certainly be used to stimulate interest in lessons, the rise of such projects suggests that the content of school curriculum is being influenced by the nature of television. The focus on entertainment risks overshadowing the importance of critical thinking and in-depth learning. Furthermore, these projects often overlook the need to educate students about the influence of media on our perceptions and attitudes.

Is Sesame Street and Television Influencing Traditional Schooling and Our Perception of Learning?

In our culture, there are two ways to suffer spiritual devastation. The Orwellian way, where culture becomes a prison, and the Huxleyan way, where culture turns into a burlesque. Orwell warned us about the spiritual devastation of tyranny, where wardens, irrespective of their ideologies, hold us captive. Huxley, however, warned us about a more insidious enemy, one with a smiling face, exploiting the era of advanced technology.

In Huxley's prophecy, Big Brother doesn't watch us - we watch him. This happens when a society becomes so distracted by trivia that serious public conversation turns into baby-talk. This is the risk America faces as it entertains a consuming love-affair with television, replacing the slow-moving printed word with the fast-paced age of television, unknowingly embracing the Huxleyan future.

Technological changes in our modes of communication are laden with ideology. Technology alters our cognitive habits, social relations, and our ideas of community, history, and religion. Every technology brings with it a program for social change, and to ignore this fact is plain stupidity. 

To navigate these changes, we need to understand what information is and how it influences our culture. We need to understand how different forms of information persuade us, how they shape our public and private lives, and how they redefine cultural meanings. 

The solution lies in how we consume media. To gain control over television, or any other medium, we need to be deeply aware of the structure and effects of information. This media consciousness can be achieved through education, even though it might seem like a desperate solution. 

Educators are aware of the impact of television on students. It's time to move from the question, "How can we use television to control education?" to "How can we use education to control television?" This is a challenging task, but not an impossible one. We need to teach our young ones how to interpret the symbols of their culture and distance themselves from their forms of information. 

Aldous Huxley believed we are in a race between education and disaster. He urged us to understand the politics and epistemology of media. We must heed his warning lest we find ourselves laughing without knowing why and ceasing to think altogether.

Orwellian Prison vs Huxleyan Burlesque: Navigating the Impact of Media on Our Culture

The evolution of media, particularly the rise of television, has significantly impacted public discourse and the nature of information consumption in our society. Previously, print media, characterized by coherent and rational conversation, was the dominant form of communication. 

The advent of television, however, marked a shift towards entertainment-focused, disjointed, and often trivial content. This has transformed not only the way we engage with information but also our understanding of the world. Television, favoring visual and auditory stimulation, has influenced the culture of public discourse, leading to a superficial understanding of world events and a decline in the ability to comprehend complex issues. 

Furthermore, television's influence extends beyond the realm of public discourse to areas such as politics, education, and religion. Politics, once a platform for substantive debate, has morphed into a form of show business, with campaigns focusing on image projection rather than political substance. Education, too, is being reshaped to mimic the entertaining format of television shows, risking the overshadowing of critical thinking and meaningful learning. 

Religion has also been affected, with charismatic TV preachers taking center stage, often reducing the sacred to the spectacle. These changes reflect the evolving nature of technology and culture, and while they are not necessarily negative, they necessitate a critical awareness and thoughtful engagement with the media. The challenge we face today is navigating this landscape and finding ways to maintain the quality of public conversation, education, and faith. 

Finally, Postman discusses the potential dangers of our society's obsession with entertainment, warning against a future where serious public conversation is replaced by triviality. He argues for the importance of understanding the impact of technology on our cognitive habits, social relations, and cultural meanings, and for the need for media consciousness. This understanding can help us gain control over television and other media, and prevent us from blindly embracing a future where we cease to think.

Home

Trending Books

News & Mags

Relax

Curated

Collections

Key Ideas & Notes

Insights

Highlights & Bookmarks

Listening History