Amusing Ourselves to Death
Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business
by:
Neil Postman
in:
Cultural Studies
Summary:
The book critiques the pervasive influence of television on the quality of public discourse, arguing that entertainment values have corrupted the way we engage with serious topics, reducing complex ideas to oversimplified soundbites and spectacle. It draws on the ideas of Marshall McLuhan and Aldous Huxley to suggest that society is in danger of becoming trivial, as media shifts our culture from a print-based discourse to one dominated by visual images and less substantive communication.
Key points:
1. Medium as Metaphor: Postman believes the way we communicate influences our thoughts and interactions. He says television oversimplifies complex issues.
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