Friday, February 20, 2015
Chapter two and epistemology
Most of the media we see is junk. In chapter two, Neil Postman elaborates on the idea of epistemology, which simply put is the study of the origin of information for consumers. When consumers get their knowledge from instant media such as a television, the material they are watching is mostly garbage. In nutrition, empty calories are calories with no nutritional substance. Similar to empty calories in nutrition, advertisements on instant media provide empty knowledge. The information presented to us is majorly useless. Postman includes that instant media would be a great opportunity to acquire valuable information that could greatly improve our society, but rather it is filled with flashing lights and screaming salespeople.
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Yes. You are right: most of what we see on instant news sites are poop. They really are like empty calories. That’s why using instant media things shouldn’t be your primary source for news, but so few people understand that. If you want the real meaty things, it’d probably be better to visit a news channel’s website, or something that ends with a “.gov” or “.net.” Even then. Though, you might run into not-so-wholesome things. I’m glad that you pointed this out so plainly. Also, never trust the news from one of those popup sites or the Adds on the sides of websites! I think most people know that though =).
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post and how you compared it to empty calories or junk food. Makes you wonder though just like junk food, and the news most people know what they are getting isn't benefiting them but they will continue to keep doing the same thing. Also that what companies and producers of the new and shows think people want is fast and just entertaining information.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your post and that the media has no real useful information. I think that some of the information being shown is even getting worse over time. As the author says, it would be a good opportunity to gain and spread valuable knowledge and I think we would be a greater society if we did so.
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