Postman Opportunity: Amusing Gone Wrong

            In Amusing Ourselves to Death, Neil Postman clearly states his solid opinion of the new technology that is taking over many of our lives.  The American culture has led to “the decline of the Age of Typography and the ascendancy of the Age of Television” (Postman 8).  By saying this one sentence, Neil Postman clearly informs the audience his view on the 21^st generation without one ounce of sincerity by not sugar coating his thoughts or attitude.  Though I do agree with many of Postman’s points that deal with the new technologic world we now live in today, there are a lot of situations which he brings up throughout the book that I do not entirely agree with.

            Postman argues that television forms a new form of epistemology.  He finds that the TV revolution is corrupting the intellect of the American people.  However, Jeff Bewkes says in his article, The Coming Golden Age of Television, “television is emerging as the dominant medium of the digital age.”  That sentence alone would make Postman roll over in his grove if he knew his own prophecy was coming true.  The article relates to Neil’s first chapter, The Medium Is the Metaphor, by listing counter-arguments.  Television is mostly used for its entertainment purposes, whether that be your favorite TV show, a movie from ON-Demand, or a program you missed earlier and recorded it.  On the other hand, television is used for much more than entertainment purposes; it promotes advertisement and subscriptions (Bewkes).  Without the use of commercials companies, lawyers, and even the movie industry with their premiers, their consumers would not be informed properly. 

            Broadcasting over the radio is another way to educate clients or customers about promotions and sales.  These are all different ways to get across the same message.  The station 105.5 K-LOVE, is a home for contemporary music and ministry.  Everyday K-LOVE shares inspirational stories of how God works through the lives of so many people in so many different ways (KLOVE).  Since times have changed so have the methods of how situations are brought about.  This radio station may not be not a six hour long sermon preached by Jonathon Edwards to a congregation who are all willing to sit through awhole lecture.  Nevertheless,the source still getting the same point across which should be the most important aspect.

            The radio station does not have to be based upon religion for people to choose the radio over listening to a speech.  One would much rather click one button, while driving their ’98 Honda Civic, and listen to music, breaking news, or traffic reports.  Postman evidently disagrees with the new technology and would be against talk shows on the radio because a person is losing concept of communication with other individuals face-to-face.  However I think he is wrong because there are many followers of Christ who have been witnessed and become closer in the faith through the broadcasters on K-LOVE and they have posted their testimonies online at klove.com.

     Since the 16^th century, all knowledge began to be transferred to the printed page in America and books were imported from Britain.  Centuries ago books were the new app or the new gadget.  In today’s image the new smart phone or iPod is the new book.  Postman makes it seem as if the American culture has completely forgotten about books and the aspects and importance of reading print.  In chapter three, Neil talks about how many copies of Thomas Paine’s book, Common Sense, were sold per year.  Every year the total number started to decrease, not because we are inadequate to understand the text, but because the culture has changed and sources have improved.  

     Amazon is world widely known for its products: the Kindle, online books, and e-books.  According to this graph, the sales of e-books have been continuing to increase by large numbers.  In 2002, e-books were contributing about $2 million, and by 2007 e-books had increased the grand total to just under $9  million.  Books may be purchased and downloaded online for a person to read.  Richard MacManus lists five reasons that e-books are better than paper back books in his article, 5 Ways That eBooks Are Better Than Paper Books.  His points are very strong in the way he tries to prove his point, just like Postman's.  
     However I agree with MacManus when he says that searching, highlighting, note taking, and being able to have access to the Internet is always a plus when it comes to reading your e-book off your Kindle.  Postman would not be in favor of sharing ideas or commentary over the Internet, he would say as the readers, we should join a book club and meet in person if we were to share ideas and communicate.  Being able to share thoughts about that particular book while in the midst reading it makes analyzing the storyline with others, who are also reading the book a lot easier, substantial, and more convenient.  Analyzing and interpreting text will never be diminished from the general public.  Increasing and improving technology only allows reading to become updated and more convenient for society today.

     On of the key points Postman made in chapter seven, “Now…This,” has to do with the society’s ability to differentiate between reality and exaggeration.  “Is it frightening to think that this may be so, that the perception of the truth of a report rests heavily on the acceptability of the newscaster” (Postman 101).  This however should be alarming that we, the people of our society today, believe everything that comes out of the mouth of an anchorman.  For instance, this past month, the weather station predicted that there was going to be a world record, life threatening blizzard.  The line of customers at Kroger was unbelievably long for a Monday afternoon, people were taking cover in their homes and principles canceled school before the snow started to fall. All of the precautions were taken for the terrifying blizzard, broadcasted on the news a week ahead of time, that never occurred.  We, as children of the 21^st century, may have increased in technology, but we are gifted with the characteristic of gullibility.  On page 6 of the book, Postman quotes Huxley who said, “We are all Great Abbreviators, meaning that none of us has the wit to know the whole truth, the time to tell it if we believed we did, or an audience so gullible as to accept it” (Postman 6).

     Throughout Neil Postman’s book, Amusing Ourselves to Death, he cautions us about the dangers of the changing technologic world.  He is well aware of the consequences that the television era has bestowed.  However, if we eliminate his negativity, pessimism, and his dogmatic opinions, which are characterized by his writings, we are able to tell that Neil Postman simply warns the new generations of what may or may not occur. Postman’s conclusions are clearly supported by his excellent use of references, examples, and observations.