Amusing Ourselves To Death Summary

The United States is the commercial structure of media. The impact of media has become extensive and overwhelming. People need less media influence. Many individuals seem to enjoy the entertainment side. Many individuals turn into consumers of media products because television, news, and social media has shifted to entertainment. For Americans, it becomes difficult because media is always there and many can get overwhelmed with so much going on and being easily accessible. If it’s not entertaining forget it, it will get overlooked. I believe that Postman is right about media. In his book, Amusing Ourselves to Death, he talks about the new world and how we are living in the age of show business. Postman refers to the book, Brave New

We are allowing television to shape our lifestyles whether it’s education, politics, news, and religion. Postman believes that we aren’t getting the truth because culture is defined as the truth and it is changing because of television and the way it’s being presented. Postman says, “The changes in media bring about the changes in the structure of people's’ mind or changes in their cognitive capacities” (Postman, 2005). Television is a source of entertainment and isn’t shaping us for the better. “We are witnessing a major cultural revolution that is having an incredible impact on our society. Yet, despite numerous warnings, few seem to understand what is really going on or where this surging wave of social change is taking us!... You need to understand how the media molds the world and the potential consequences of indiscriminate viewing on yourself, your children, your community and your country—because there is more at stake than many critics realize!” (Winnial,2003). “Americans no longer talk to each other, they entertain each other. They do not exchange ideas, they exchange images. They do not argue with proposition, they argue with good looks, celebrities and commercials” (Postman, 2005). We are trying to amuse ourselves with the latest shoe coming out, or the new season of Keeping Up with The Kardashian. Our country is only learning more and more on way to keep ourselves entertained. We are taught at a youthful age to stay entertained. This is happening currently everywhere, I’ve seen it at restaurants instead of having conversations with one another many are on their smartphones or tablets. It’s mind blowing that we are taught to be entertained. ““Sesame Street” is an expensive illustration of the idea that education is indistinguishable from entertainment” (Postman,2005). Whether it is watching “Sesame Street” or playing games on T.V. or tablet is a way