Why Am I BLOGGING About Neil Postman???

Chapter 1

"Indeed, we may have reached the point where cosmetics has replaced ideology as the filed of expertise over which a politician must have competent control" (4).

I agree with Postman here. People today care so much about their appearance and it is almost like that is the only important way to get people to notice and remember you. For example, when people look at magazines or television, they see "perfect" people and want to look just like them, even though those people they look to are weighted down with enormous amounts of makeup to fake looking that good. Any little flaw they have has to be covered by makeup or photo shopped out and people want to look just like that.

Chapter2

"Our written statement would represent the 'truth.' Our oral agreement would be only a rumor" (21).

Again, I agree with Postman. The reason I do is because basically everybody has to have a written contract in order to believe someone. Without a contract, people never believe what the person says they'll do for them. They have to have it in a written statement or what they say is no good.

Chapter 3

"From its beginning until well into the nineteenth century, America was as dominated by the printed word and an oratory based on the printed word as any society we know of" (40-41).

I also agree with this statement. Writing used to be very important to society. It was their main form of communication. Written books and newspapers were very popular; reading a newspaper or a written letter was the way to get news around. Today, people use texting, Facebook, chat rooms, email, etc, which takes the place of written letters. Books also seem to be loosing popularity because more and more people are buying a Kindle.

Chapter 4

"In the 1890's that context was shattered, first by the massive intrusion of illustrations and photographs, then by the nonpropositional use of language" (60).

Postman is right about this. He brings up how advertising has changed. They used to be filled with just information about whatever it is you're buying and you had to read it and understand it. Now, they create advertisements that people don't have to think about, in the form of entertainment. For example, I know some people end up watching the Super Bowl for the commercials. I guiltily admit that I do that. People want to be entertained, even if it is with a poor sales pitch.

Chapter 5

"Everything became every one's business" (69).

This is definitely true about today's society. Facebook is a huge reason. People go on Facebook and feel the need to share exactly what they are doing with the whole world. But it is not only what they are doing, but also anything and everything they have to say, whether it's their opinion on something on TV or the latest gossip; they feel the need to share with everyone.

Chapter 6

"American television, in other words, is devoted entirely to supplying its audience with entertainment" (86-87).

I disagree with this idea. TV may be entertainment, but it is also one of today's society's main sources for information. People watch the news, the history channel, educational programming, or their own local station to be informed about what is going on, what had already happened, or what is supposed to happen.

Chapter 7

"Hampered viewer acceptance means the same thing for television news as it does for any television show: Viewers do not like looking at the performer. It also means that viewers do not believe the performer, that she lacks credibility" (101).

I also disagree with this. When I watch the news, I do not feel like they are lying to me if I don't find them attractive. We shouldn't judge people. That's even in the Bible. Although, people do judge others, I don't find "ugly" news reporters untrustworthy or more untrustworthy than "attractive" reporter.

Chapter 8

"By endowing things with magic, enchantment is the means through which we may gain access to sacredness. Entertainment is the means through which we distance ourselves from it" (122).

Again, I disagree with Postman. Just because we entertain ourselves doesn't make it bad. We should be able to enjoy church and enjoy going, not dread it or fall asleep in it. If that means that it has to be a little more entertaining, then it should be. An example would be our different chapels. I tend to get more out of a chapel that holds my interest because it was more entertaining for me to watch, so I remember it. Other less exciting chapels all begin to run together, and I don't really remember the messages that were given.

Chapter 9

"The television commercial is not at all about the character of products to be consumed. It is about the character of the consumers of products" (128).

This idea I agree with. Commercials tend to show the kind of people that would want the product, or show what you could be like if you buy it. Beer commercials are a good example. It shows "beautiful" people having a good time. Everyone wants to be like that. Another kind of commercial would be hair commercials. What girl doesn't want "perfect" hair? The commercials make it look like if you buy this shampoo and conditioner, you will be perfect and beautiful like this girl. It could go the other way too. If a celebrity is in it, like those "Got Milk?" adds, then people think that because so and so uses it, this would be good for me.

Chapter 10

"Teachers, from primary grades through college, are increasing the visual stimulation of their lessons; are reducing the amount of exposition their students must cope with; are relying less on reading and writing assignments; and are reluctantly concluding that the principal means by which student interest may be engaged is entertainment" (148-149).

Once again, I agree with this quote. Teachers depend more on visuals rather than just lecturing or having the students read. This assignment, for example, is to be done on a blog, a poster, or even a video, rather than writing a paper. History class right now, is working on a video project to capture a historical figure's personality. In math class, the teacher has a smart board and many teachers have variations of it. Whether or not it actually helps is up to how the teacher decides to use it.