The article Peek-a-Boo World, by Neil Postman brings up a plethora of viewpoints on technologies effect on society. Although, it was a huge technological advancement, he believes that the telegraph had a large negative impact. He said, He said, “The telegraph made a three-prolonged attack on typography’s definition of discourse, introducing on a large scale of irrelevance, impotence and incoherence. Instead of worrying about the information we receive it was more important how much information and how far it came. This is why so much information became so irrelevant to ones life; because there was a lot of information but had no individual impact. The telegraph would give us information that would be spoken about but then easily and unintentionally forgotten. It processed a lot of useless information that didn’t a connection to ones life.
I believe that Postman talking about the telegraph exemplifies today’s impact of technology on society. He clarifying the idea that the telegraph disrupted communication. Everyday people are exposed to useless information that has no effect on their daily lives. Our use of media is merely just another way to escape from reality and into the technological world. Postman then goes to talk about media and electronics like film, radio and television. People become so drawn to these advancements that get so caught up and forgot about living their own lives. I believe Postman’s viewpoints on technology. I think that people get too caught up in advancements. After reading his two articles, I concluded that in today’s society technology and the media block out us from reality.
Postman's articles and viewpoints directly correlates with the novel, A Brave New World. Science and technology play a large role in this novel by being a threat to society. Social stability and control were maintained by technology, which is what society today is going through. In the novel and todays society, religion is being taken over by technology. People become so averted to reality and look towards technology to maintain their lives.
After reading his article, I thought to myself where is the fine line of technology between adults and children? It clearly affects us differently, how so? I found this article in the news and I think its very interesting because it talks about internet (technology) and how each age groups view it very differently.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/ptech/01/23/technological.turfwar.ap/index.html
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2 comments:
Thats a good point to make about the Postman readings. I agree that he says the telegraph exemplifies today’s impact of technology on our society and further explains the idea that the telegraph disrupted communication. Our society is exposed to useless information that has no effect on our daily lives. All of this is very true. However, where would we be without this useless information? This is where we get our entertainment from and we use this "useless" information to pass the time. Its kind of a win-win situation if you ask me.
Anyway, I checked out that link you posted and its funny because I was just talking to my boyfriend about facebook. His grandma is on Myspace and always tells him she wants to befriend him (but he doesn't even have an account). I don't think he would even if he did because we both think thats kinda weird. To be honest, when I get asked to be someone's friend and I look to see who it is and its one of my friends' parents, I get creeped out. I feel bad when I say no but at the same time, I don't want them to see pictures of me that have been posted. I don't post pictures of me naked or doing something obscene (not that I have any of those pictures) but there are some of me drinking. I'm 22 years old so I'm perfectly allowed to drink alcohol but its different when parents see, ya know? I'm curious to see where Facebook goes in the next 5 years...
I think I wrote my blog on something similar. Yes there is definitely some very useless information out there but useless technology is another story. Alright maybe facebook isn't 100% necessary and I definitely can't say that I'm not a little bit addicted. I thought you did a good job understand what Postman said. Have a good weekend!
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