The Best Thing(s) on the Internet

(Don't think about the implications of these videos for too long, they will cease to be funny and eventually become incredibly depressing. )

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Amusing Ourselves to Death, continued.

Postman's argument really takes shape in the last few chapters, especially regarding religion, politics, and news. By commercializing these things, they are greatly warped and turned into a form of entertainment that ultimately eliminates a dialogue and inhibits many from actually learning anything. While entertainment is not inherently bad in the slightest, disguising news, religion and education as entertainment sets a precedence that makes the general public disinterested in anything that is not first and foremost, a form of entertainment. 

Another rather nice aspect of the book is that Postman, after spending almost 160 pages addressing a problem, also made the attempt to provide solutions. While they were a bit idealistic and most likely unattainable, I always have a great deal of respect for intellectuals who can criticize social structures, but also offer solutions. 

Thoughts on Readings

By now I'm creeping my way up to chapter 7, and Postman's argument is beginning to develop. While I'm always very skeptical of someone who makes sweeping generalizations (especially vehemently against technology), so I'm excited to see how this argument develops.
Thus far Postman has discussed the world's slow transition into television culture, which leaves me entertained he was never able to live to see Toddlers in Tiaras. The argument is becoming a bit stronger with development and empirical data regarding just how available television was made to all income levels, making it a dangerous way of spreading unnecessary, commercialized information. So far, I've really enjoyed the argument that television has meshed capitalism with political and social news, creating an entertainment industry in the place of an information outlet.

My Day With Limited Technology

Yesterday, to celebrate Memorial Day as well as my only day off in the foreseeable future, I embarked on my day-long mission to use as little technology as possible. Naturally, we all understand how difficult this can be. For me, personally, as someone who lives alone, there were certain unique precautions I had to take to ensure no one was concerned for my safety. I had to send out a text to my two best friends, parents, etc. saying that I would not be available to chat and if there was any sort of pressing matter, my cell phone would be in my bedroom and act as a house phone. I made sure not to take this phone anywhere I went, did not use the internet or watch TV.
Personally, this was not very difficult, and I got a lot of reading done, took a run, and went to visit a friend. One area I also cheated on was using music. I played music through speakers in my house to prevent the inevitable degradation of my sanity.
The aspect of technology I have mostly taken for granted is the aspect of humans as isolated entities. Before the cell phone, we had one particular place in which we were not to stray too far from in order to still be reached. I left my first voicemail for the first time in years, which felt strange, and found myself waiting around the house wondering where certain people were in their travels. I also realized I would have to rely on outside help and the kindness of strangers if there were any problems such as getting lost, my car breaking down, or any related type of day-to-day emergency.  Now, humans are independent and in a way, our home becomes our phone. Since the phone is always on us, our home becomes our body. This allows for extreme transience and independence when wanted that is often not accounted for. Many people would be simply too anxious to leave their main station and live as a mobile entity if it weren't for certain technologies.
While it was an interesting, thought-provoking, and often irritating experience, I am sincerely more thankful for the peace of mind technology has provided me and aided in creating a mostly independent and autonomous person.