OPEN MIND: ARE WE "AMUSING OURSELVES TO DEATH"? {NEIL POSTMAN} (TV)
Summary
One in this series of interview programs hosted by Richard D. Heffner. This episode features a conversation with New York University professor Neil Postman on the topic of the relationship between television and intellectual discourse in America as explored in his book "Amusing Ourselves to Death." He expounds on the following opinions: the suitability, in his view, of the television medium for entertainment, the performing arts, and quickly changing images; the worldwide popularity of American television because of its accommodation to the visual bias of the medium; the devastating impact of television culture on analytic discourse; the benefits of banning political campaign advertisements on television; the effect of television culture on the American newspaper industry; the limitations placed on political debates by commercial television; the importance of discussion in schools about the relationship between television and society; PostmanÕs optimism that scholars and leaders in the television industry will recognize and attempt to reverse televisionÕs negative effects; and his hope that Americans will improve the television medium.
(Network and series run vary.)
Cataloging of this program was made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, 1999.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS WNET New York, NY
- DATE: February 1, 1986 11:30 AM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:28:36
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:36222
- GENRE: Talk/Interviews
- SUBJECT HEADING: Television - Psychological aspects; TV - Social aspects; Television and politics
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1980-
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Shepherd, Kathleen S. M. … Executive Producer
- Richard D. Heffner … Producer
- Jan Waldman … Co-Producer
- Rene Cruz … Director
- Richard D. Heffner … Moderator
- Neil Postman … Guest