Page 4 - Amusing ourselves to death
P. 4
AMUSING OURSELVES TO DEATH
Postman reported that the average duration of a network television shot is approximately 3.5
seconds so that the eye is constantly moving and never resting as it is always on the lookout
for something new to see. Television covers a wide range of topics that take few skills to
interpret and is geared on "emotional gratification". Even commercials are "exquisitely
crafted", always visually appealing and backed by dynamic music to attract the audience's
attention and to keep them engaged. Postman's point is that television does not allow for
thought processing. Television "demands a performing art," and a Tv program presents the
spectacle of "serious" individuals having a "heavy" discussion. It was, therefore, not by any
means, an indication of seriousness or heated debate, but rather a performance intended to
convey that. The television is a medium that provides a variety of its offers in our very own
home. That is, we have some control on its output and offerings. In other words, the potential
for entertainment is limitless and endless. Television has become one of our basic needs,
some sort of instinct if you will; you just cannot manage/cope without it. Every day, people
across the globe sit down and spend considerable time watching television. This addiction has
reached the stage where people enjoy TV enough that they often spend hours watching
shows they don't even like! This is something that just does not happen very often in-person.
Nobody attends a sports game/event if they dislike the sport. However, people will watch it
or any other show they dislike just because they enjoy watching television. Sports fans all
across the world are increasingly choosing not to attend live sporting events. You may also
check Empty Seats Galore (hyperlink) on Twitter, which posts pictures of growing empty
stadiums. Television is extremely addicting.
3
Postman reported that the average duration of a network television shot is approximately 3.5
seconds so that the eye is constantly moving and never resting as it is always on the lookout
for something new to see. Television covers a wide range of topics that take few skills to
interpret and is geared on "emotional gratification". Even commercials are "exquisitely
crafted", always visually appealing and backed by dynamic music to attract the audience's
attention and to keep them engaged. Postman's point is that television does not allow for
thought processing. Television "demands a performing art," and a Tv program presents the
spectacle of "serious" individuals having a "heavy" discussion. It was, therefore, not by any
means, an indication of seriousness or heated debate, but rather a performance intended to
convey that. The television is a medium that provides a variety of its offers in our very own
home. That is, we have some control on its output and offerings. In other words, the potential
for entertainment is limitless and endless. Television has become one of our basic needs,
some sort of instinct if you will; you just cannot manage/cope without it. Every day, people
across the globe sit down and spend considerable time watching television. This addiction has
reached the stage where people enjoy TV enough that they often spend hours watching
shows they don't even like! This is something that just does not happen very often in-person.
Nobody attends a sports game/event if they dislike the sport. However, people will watch it
or any other show they dislike just because they enjoy watching television. Sports fans all
across the world are increasingly choosing not to attend live sporting events. You may also
check Empty Seats Galore (hyperlink) on Twitter, which posts pictures of growing empty
stadiums. Television is extremely addicting.
3
