All papers examples
Get a Free E-Book!
Log in
HIRE A WRITER!
Paper Types
Disciplines
Get a Free E-Book! ($50 Value)

Amusing Ourselves to Death, Essay Example

Pages: 1

Words: 323

Essay

Technology and media – smart phones, ipods, laptops, and tablets – streaming from everywhere, it is next to impossible to imagine a world without news, business and friends right at the tips of our fingers.  According to Neil Postman, characteristics of the modern day discourse include a more impractical, frivolous, and withered media and technology.  Often times, we plop in front of the television with a bag of potato chips, our smart-phones glued to our sides, and mindlessly watch the next idol sing their way to a record deal.

Postman creates a compelling argument for a withered media based on the degradation of all media.  Television is not the only avenue of degrading media, but Postman argues that all media has started to decline including the news, religion, politics, and advertising.  The ways in which media and technology draws our attention has completely changed over the years.  What used to be considered poetic and relevant now seems obsolete and boring.  Media, technology and junk on television has somehow taken precedence over truth and the printed word.

Every facet of society seems to play into our “need” for a constantly streaming media.  Politics has even become show business.  The problem with this, and why is that politicians have become more like celebrities than public servants.  Appearing on game shows, commercials, and television shows such as Saturday Night Live, politicians are seeking fame to gain votes.  They “appeal” to people.

Technology has seeped into every area of modern American living.  Including political races, religious services, education, and relationships, the modern day discourse has become a substantial portion of our lives.  The case of technology taking over modern America is more relevant and more important today than ever.  Postman supplies the argument and the solution – control and limit how and what media you use in your life.

Works Cited

Postman, Neil. Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business. New York, NY: Penguin Books, 2005. Print.

Time is precious

Time is precious

don’t waste it!

Get instant essay
writing help!
Get instant essay writing help!
Plagiarism-free guarantee

Plagiarism-free
guarantee

Privacy guarantee

Privacy
guarantee

Secure checkout

Secure
checkout

Money back guarantee

Money back
guarantee

Related Essay Samples & Examples

Voting as a Civic Responsibility, Essay Example

Voting is a process whereby individuals, such as an electorate or gathering, come together to make a choice or convey an opinion, typically after debates, [...]

Pages: 1

Words: 287

Essay

Utilitarianism and Its Applications, Essay Example

Maxim: Whenever I choose between two options, regardless of the consequences, I always choose the option that gives me the most pleasure. Universal Law: Whenever [...]

Pages: 1

Words: 356

Essay

The Age-Related Changes of the Older Person, Essay Example

Compare and contrast the age-related changes of the older person you interviewed and assessed with those identified in this week’s reading assignment. John’s age-related changes [...]

Pages: 2

Words: 448

Essay

The Problems ESOL Teachers Face, Essay Example

Overview The current learning and teaching era stresses globalization; thus, elementary educators must adopt and incorporate multiculturalism and diversity in their learning plans. It is [...]

Pages: 8

Words: 2293

Essay

Should English Be the Primary Language? Essay Example

Research Question: Should English be the Primary Language of Instruction in Schools Worldwide? Work Thesis: English should be adopted as the primary language of instruction [...]

Pages: 4

Words: 999

Essay

The Term “Social Construction of Reality”, Essay Example

The film explores the idea that the reality we experience is not solely determined by objective facts but is also shaped by the social and [...]

Pages: 1

Words: 371

Essay

Voting as a Civic Responsibility, Essay Example

Voting is a process whereby individuals, such as an electorate or gathering, come together to make a choice or convey an opinion, typically after debates, [...]

Pages: 1

Words: 287

Essay

Utilitarianism and Its Applications, Essay Example

Maxim: Whenever I choose between two options, regardless of the consequences, I always choose the option that gives me the most pleasure. Universal Law: Whenever [...]

Pages: 1

Words: 356

Essay

The Age-Related Changes of the Older Person, Essay Example

Compare and contrast the age-related changes of the older person you interviewed and assessed with those identified in this week’s reading assignment. John’s age-related changes [...]

Pages: 2

Words: 448

Essay

The Problems ESOL Teachers Face, Essay Example

Overview The current learning and teaching era stresses globalization; thus, elementary educators must adopt and incorporate multiculturalism and diversity in their learning plans. It is [...]

Pages: 8

Words: 2293

Essay

Should English Be the Primary Language? Essay Example

Research Question: Should English be the Primary Language of Instruction in Schools Worldwide? Work Thesis: English should be adopted as the primary language of instruction [...]

Pages: 4

Words: 999

Essay

The Term “Social Construction of Reality”, Essay Example

The film explores the idea that the reality we experience is not solely determined by objective facts but is also shaped by the social and [...]

Pages: 1

Words: 371

Essay