Media at a First Glance

After beginning the novel Amusing Ourselves to Death written by Neil Postman, I was surprised by his analytical depth of the technological advances of media used today, and his intelligent tone he speaks in. When reading the first few chapters, Postman writes in an intriguing fashion which evokes you to re-read, comprehend, and think about several lines. Postman disputes how media, specifically television, has had a great impact on our societal thoughts, and cultures. 

For instance, Postman stated "what is peculiar about such interpositions of media is that their role in directing what we will see or know is so rarely noticed"(11). This quote has emphasized that many people have not noticed the underlying message given, but on the contrary, some do. Postman's statement has inquired me to look more into depth about how media has been substantially progressive throughout the past thirty years. It also has made me wonder about what humanity understands when given "the news of the day." Yet, has our society been temporarily blinded by the underlying messages media seeks to give us through multiple sources? In spite of finishing this novel this summer, I am persistent to grasp Postman's insightful ideas of the impact of media today.

Nikkolas Chhou