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Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business
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Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business Paperback - 2005

by Neil Postman; Introduction by Andrew Postman

Postman takes an enlightening look at the long-term effects of mass media--how it transforms the world, and the ways in which the media onslaught can be challenged.


Summary

Originally published in 1985, Neil Postman’s groundbreaking polemic about the corrosive effects of television on our politics and public discourse has been hailed as a twenty-first-century book published in the twentieth century. Now, with television joined by more sophisticated electronic media—from the Internet to cell phones to DVDs—it has taken on even greater significance. Amusing Ourselves to Death is a prophetic look at what happens when politics, journalism, education, and even religion become subject to the demands of  entertainment. It is also a blueprint for regaining controlof our media, so that they can serve our highest goals.

From the publisher

What happens when media and politics become forms of entertainment? As our world begins to look more and more like Orwell's 1984, Neil's Postman's essential guide to the modern media is more relevant than ever. "It's unlikely that Trump has ever read Amusing Ourselves to Death, but his ascent would not have surprised Postman." -CNN Originally published in 1985, Neil Postman's groundbreaking polemic about the corrosive effects of television on our politics and public discourse has been hailed as a twenty-first-century book published in the twentieth century. Now, with television joined by more sophisticated electronic media--from the Internet to cell phones to DVDs--it has taken on even greater significance. Amusing Ourselves to Death is a prophetic look at what happens when politics, journalism, education, and even religion become subject to the demands of entertainment. It is also a blueprint for regaining control of our media, so that they can serve our highest goals. "A brilliant, powerful, and important book. This is an indictment that Postman has laid down and, so far as I can see, an irrefutable one." -Jonathan Yardley, The Washington Post Book World

First line

At different times in our history, different cities have been the focal point of a radiating American spirit.

Details

  • Title Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business
  • Author Neil Postman; Introduction by Andrew Postman
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition [ Edition: Repri
  • Pages 208
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Penguin Books, New York
  • Date 2005-12-27
  • ISBN 9780143036531 / 014303653X
  • Weight 0.35 lbs (0.16 kg)
  • Dimensions 7.7 x 5 x 0.6 in (19.56 x 12.70 x 1.52 cm)
  • Ages 18 to UP years
  • Grade levels 13 - UP
  • Themes
    • Religious Orientation: Christian
  • Library of Congress subjects Mass media - Influence
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 2006275381
  • Dewey Decimal Code 302.234

Media reviews

A brilliant, powerful and important book. (Jonathan Yardley, The Washington Post Book World)

About the author

Neil Postman (1931-2003) was chairman of the Department of Communication Arts at New York University and founder of its Media Ecology program. He wrote more than twenty books.
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Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business
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