Amusing Ourselves to Death
Amusing Ourselves to Death
Neil Postman
Patrick Collison
Patrick Collison labeled this book "substantially above average."
Patrick O'Shaughnessy
This book has the best foreword I can recall. Read the entire thing. - Patrick O'Shaughnessy
Tristan Harris
Written in 1982. It literally predicts everything that's going on now. - Tristan Harris
Michael Batnick
One of the best books on communication that I’ve ever read. - Michael Batnick
Matt Mullenweg
We’re kind of, like the title of the book, amusing ourselves to death. We’re so caught up in distractions and pleasure and entertainment that we might be missing out on the bigger things. - Matt Mullenweg
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Amusing Ourselves to Death

Amusing Ourselves to Death / The Shallows / How to be F*cking Awesome

Neil Postman
By
Neil Postman
4.3
0
ratings on Goodreads

In "Amusing Ourselves to Death," Neil Postman delivers a compelling critique of the modern media landscape, arguing that our society has become dangerously entangled in the spectacle of entertainment at the expense of meaningful public discourse. Written with the prophetic edge of a sage, Postman dissects how television and, by extension, other forms of electronic media, have transformed politics, journalism, education, and religion into mere forms of amusement. His insights, drawn from a deep understanding of history, communication theory, and culture, reveal a disturbing shift from a print-based culture that cherished dialogue and depth to a visual-based culture that prioritizes showmanship and superficiality. Beyond mere critique, Postman's seminal work serves as a clarion call to reclaim our media environment, advocating for a media ecology that supports rather than undermines our highest aspirations as individuals and as a society. With piercing clarity and unmatched eloquence, "Amusing Ourselves to Death" stands not just as a landmark analysis of the impact of television and subsequent electronic media but as a roadmap for resisting the seductions of entertainment culture. It challenges readers to reflect on the kind of world we are creating and to consider how we might steer the ship of culture towards shores that nurture democracy, intellect, and genuine community engagement in an age dominated by screens.

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One of the best books on communication that I’ve ever read. - Michael Batnick
Written in 1982. It literally predicts everything that's going on now. - Tristan Harris
We’re kind of, like the title of the book, amusing ourselves to death. We’re so caught up in distractions and pleasure and entertainment that we might be missing out on the bigger things. - Matt Mullenweg
Keith Rabois recommended this book on a Medium blog post.
This book has the best foreword I can recall. Read the entire thing. - Patrick O'Shaughnessy
Patrick Collison labeled this book "substantially above average."
— Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death

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