Running Head: AMUSING OURSELVES TO DEATH BOOK REVIEW

Amusing Ourselves to Death Book Review

Student’s Name

Institutional Affiliation
AMUSING OURSELVES TO DEATH BOOK REVIEW
2
Amusing Ourselves to Death Book Review

Amusing Ourselves to Death Summary

In his book, Postman seeks to his thesis Television has ruined Public discourse among

contemporary Americans. In his view he posits that people have embraced technology in media,

impeding their capacities to think. To set us off, he introduces two past prophesies recorded by

two dystopian writers namely, George Orwell and Alduous Huxley. In 1984, Orwell foresaw an

externally imposed oppression. He predicted that the government would overreach people's right

to information. The state would deny people avenues to learning the truths, which were a crucial

part of their lives. Orwell further feared that the state would ban books hence holding people

captive. On the other hand, Huxley held a contrary position. According to Huxley's novel, Brave

New World, he posits that people would love their oppression by embracing technology which

would destroy their capacity to think. Unlike Orwell, Huxley held a view that no one would ban

books. On the contrary, people would dislike reading books. He pointed out that an inflicted

pleasure would destroy people. They would expose themselves to so much, making them passive

and ego-seekers.

Between the two dark visions, Postman takes the view that Huxley, and not Orwell was

indeed right. He takes on investigating media to prove his position (Postman & Postman, 2014).

In the first chapter, the author evaluates the ‘media-metaphor.' The section argues that discourse

in civilization is dependent on the media platform employed. As such, print media speaks to the

world differently, compared to the oral media. The media concept is further drawn in the second

chapter ‘Media as Epistemology.' Here Postman points out that a society's perception of the

truth, depends on the media form, used. For instance, the oral culture would pass truths in the
AMUSING OURSELVES TO DEATH BOOK REVIEW
3
form of saying and proverbs. People would then memorize the ideas, to pass them orally to

succeeding generations. Print media, on the other hand, passes information in publications and

print form. Information is thus held permanently in prints. In this chapter, he illustrates that

television has immensely impacted on our off-screen lives.

Across chapters three to five, Postman provides a historical perspective on the

development of American literacy culture since the nation’s inception. According to him,

Americans were, to a large extent, a literate population during the colonial period (Postman &

Postman, 2014). At the time, the written and oral word presented rational discourses. As such,

people would read them and judge for themselves whatever was right or wrong. However, the

introduction of photographs and telegrams presented instantaneous information, which was not

limited to geographical location. For this reason, information was taken without regard to their

context. The second part of the book; chapters six, through to ten, present an in-depth exposition

of television media. The sixth chapter is entitled; ‘The Age of Show Business.' Here, Postman

points out that entertainment has taken precedence of the message and the content, as such;

people are more intrigued by the entertainment, ignoring the value of the message. According to

Postman, television gives us a biased perspective of information. Chapter Seven is entitled, ‘The

News of the Day.' It is a common phrase taken from television news programs. In this chapter,

he posits that television presents information in a disconnected manner denying the viewers the

chance to have their considered opinions. On the contrary, they are full of attractive anchors,

who give us half-baked information, which we cannot apply to our lives but rather form our own

opinions.

The eighth chapter is entitled ‘Shuffle off to Bethlehem.' The chapter presents how

television has made religion an empty rhetoric. It has only displayed it as a spectacle, without the
AMUSING OURSELVES TO DEATH BOOK REVIEW
4
power to accord a transforming religious experience (Postman & Postman, 2014). The ninth

chapter in the book has the title ‘Reach out and Elect someone.' The chapter presents television

media about politics and elections. Here, Postman says that television has made political

campaigns appear as business commercials. As such, politicians paint abstract presentations and

images of what the public wants. As a result, voters end up electing individuals based on the

perception created by the media.

In the tenth chapter, he presents, ‘Teaching as an Amusing Activity.' In this part, he

illustrates the downside of using television as a medium for teaching. In his considered view,

teaching kids using television will not make them love what they teach (Postman & Postman,

2014). On the contrary, they only love the thrill and entertainment in the television. As he

concludes, he restates Huxley's position, recommending some solutions. In his view, television is

biased, and we should strive to control it, rather than have it control us.

Evidence of agreement with Postman’s book

Having presented Postman's position on his book, ‘Amusing Ourselves to Death,' this

essay agrees with his view. Considering the wide range of aspects, which he addresses; including

education, religion, politics, and business, the contemporary world portrays a no different

situation. Given an era of heavy business commercials, television has been an effective tool for

shaping people's opinions. Politicians are increasingly using the media platform to endear their

agenda in public ears. The essay concurs with Postman's ideas in a variety of ways. I at this

moment present various illustrations of reasons why I agree with Postman.

Excessive exposure of children and adolescents exposes them to violence and

irresponsible sexual behavior. Majority of Children in North America are exposed to Television
AMUSING OURSELVES TO DEATH BOOK REVIEW
5
early in their lives. The effects are directly proportional to the level of exposure. As these

children continue viewing television, the images they see become real in their lives (Freedman,

2017). Research indicates that an average child sees approximately 12,000 acts of violence such

as rape and murder. Violence displayed on television screens makes them susceptible to the

vices. Moreover, they take much of their time watching television programs. Consequently, they

miss out on other aspects of their lives such as reading, playing, interacting with peers and

developing other skills. Owing to this, children lack wholesome development, as they become

copy-cuts of what they view on the screens. This point, therefore, illustrates that the media

platform is detrimental to children. Uncontrolled, their craving for entertainment will deprive

them the need for content and substance. Therefore, postman proposition is relevant in the

contemporary society.

Another aspect of television is the use of fake news. During the presidential campaign in

America in the year 2016, false stories were circulated about President Donald Trump. While

dissecting this allegation, Matthew Gentzkow, an economist from Stanford University pointed

out that the news was meant to shape the public opinion (Allcott & Gentzkow, 2017). In his

research, he created what he termed as Placebo news. After that, he inquired from his online

respondents whether they had viewed the story on television. Strikingly, about 12% responded in

the affirmative. Gentzkow, therefore, concluded that a large number of citizens had watched the

fake news. In the study, he found that the report had a significant influence on voters' decision in

the ballot. Following his conclusion, we can affirm that many people form an opinion and

change their perception based on what they view on television. This proposition further advances

Postman's view of his book. It, therefore, concurs with his idea that people are influenced by
AMUSING OURSELVES TO DEATH BOOK REVIEW
6
inflicted indulging rather than what is imposed on them. Thus, we further agree with Huxley, that

exposure to biased information impedes our capacity to think.

Another justification for this position is the effect of television and mass media on the

attitude of youth in the society. As teenagers get exposed to television, they identify themselves

with specific models. These models may vary from news anchors, celebrities or media

personalities. As a result, the youth admire them, copying their fashions and lifestyles. They

emulate everything that they do either good or evil. Consequently, the young people end up

adopting and exhibiting irresponsible social behavior. Many of the youths have gotten involved

in the abuse of drugs and other detrimental habits. Due to this reason, it is evident that television

and mass media plays a crucial role in shaping people's opinions and attitudes (Eron, 1970). To a

large extent, television dictates their way of life. Thus, Postman's book is both relevant and

applicable to the contemporary society.

Moreover, the increase in the number of television commercials had influenced people's

health and wellness. There has been a rise in the number of obese youth in America today. This

fact can be attributed to advertisements of junk foods displayed on television screens (Wilks,

2009). Some of the adverts are eye-catching and appealing. In the long run, the youth adopt

lousy health habits, leading to obesity and lifestyle disease. Postman indicates that instant

attractive flashes have replaced ‘Typographic America’ (Postman & Postman, 2014). Many

youths would not investigate the information that they watch, but end up believing in them.

Thus, this essay takes a position agreeable to Postman's hypothesis.

Conclusion
AMUSING OURSELVES TO DEATH BOOK REVIEW
7
This essay has presented several points justifying Postman's thesis in his book ‘Amusing

Ourselves to Death.' From the book, it is evident that the quest for instant gratification and

entertainment has substituted the real search for truth. The effects have been adverse, ranging

from, political, social and economic upheavals. The society should, therefore, strive to overcome

the bias brought about by television media. We should heed the Huxleyan warning, which we

should not control television rather than having it control us.

References

Allcott, H., & Gentzkow, M. (2017). Social Media and Fake News in the 2016 Election.

Eron, L. D. (1970). Relationship on TV viewing habits and aggressive behaviour in children.

Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill.

Freedman, J. (2017). Media Violence and its Effect on Aggression: Assessing the Scientific

Evidence.

Postman, A., & Postman, N. (2014). Amusing ourselves to death: Public discourse in the age of

show business. New York: Penguin Books.

Wilks, N. A. (2009). Marketing food to children and adolescents: A review of industry

expenditures, activities, and self-regulation. New York: Nova Science Publishers.