Skip to content

television’s way of knowing is uncompromisingly hostile to…

“television’s way of knowing is uncompromisingly hostile to typography’s way of knowing; that television’s conversations promote incoherence and triviality; that the phrase “serious television” is a contradiction in terms; and that television speaks in only one persistent voice—the voice of…” quote by Neil Postman
Download Open image
““television’s way of knowing is uncompromisingly hostile to typography’s way of knowing; that television’s conversations promote incoherence and triviality; that the phrase “serious television” is a contradiction in terms; and that television speaks in only one persistent voice—the voice of entertainment””

Neil Postman

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Television prioritizes entertainment, undermining serious, nuanced communication like typography, leading to shallow discourse.

In simple terms: TV favors entertainment over depth.

Key Takeaway

Seek media that values depth.

Themes

media criticism communication culture technology education

Mood

critical reflective

Type

analytical critical commentary

When to use this quote

  • teaching
  • media analysis
  • public speaking
  • policy making
  • personal media consumption

Key Concepts

media theory critical literacy information overload

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does entertainment shape your understanding of serious topics?
  • What alternatives can foster deeper discourse?
A Different Perspective

TV’s dominance can be countered by diverse media sources.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Neil Postman

Explore all 220 Neil Postman quotes

More Communication quotes

Browse all 21,506 Communication quotes