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

This chapter explains how television took over the Age of Show Business in the 20th century. Postman makes it clear that television is diametrically opposed to the print culture that preceded it, stating that “[t]elevision does not extend or amplify literate culture. It attacks it” (84).

Postman distinguishes between television as a technology and as a medium. The former is only a machine, while the latter represents its impact on society and thought. All technologies have an inherent bias, with television’s bias being entertainment. Images are its currency, and people find new, changing images more interesting than static ones. Thus, media more attuned to print culture, like long speeches and in-depth discussions, do not hold the public’s attention. Postman believes entertainment is harmless, but when “all subject matter is presented as entertaining [it presents] another issue altogether” (87).

Postman extrapolates on his problem with television: It has coopted all aspects of society, making them conform to its bias of being entertaining. He describes television movie The Day After (1983) which covers the destruction of nuclear war, one of the most serious topics possible. After the movie aired, ABC held a discussion with various intellectuals and public figures, hosted by journalist Ted Koppel.