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Summary Of Amusing Ourselves To Death By Neil Postman

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Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman discusses how technology changed the world forever. Technology is not just defined as radio, internet, and phones; it also is defined as television and commercials. Television is a machine that has no inherent medium and a medium that is the environment that the machine creates (Postman 84). Television is used in modern times for entertainment/humor, information/news, and a way to advertise products to thousands of people at once. Television changes the way we view people and ideas in programs, competitions, and (especially), in politics. In Amusing Ourselves to Death, Postman argues that “technology has a bias of its own” and technology of television also has a bias (Postman 84-85). Television can …show more content…

With the exciting music, good looks/amiability of the cast, and the vivid footage, commercials appeal to the viewer, often times more than the actual shows (Postman 87). Commercial times average about 15-20 seconds and the times rarely go above 30-60 seconds (Postman 130). Quick images and short messages stimulate the mind and people begin to accept what they are seeing as the right (and best) choice (Postman 131). Commercials are about appealing to the audience, not advertising the product (Postman 128). Showing images of cute kittens, motivated runners, and yummy food excite the viewer, causing them to believe ideas (mythical or realistic) and force people to buy without thinking. In the same way, politics are often displayed to people in cute, funny, or imaginative ways to cause voters to vote on a candidate without really thinking through ‘why should I vote for this guy’ thought process. Television commercials are the “chief instrument in creating the modern methods of presenting political ideas” and provide advertising in politics, clothing commercials, and even ads like cat food commercials (Postman

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