Aim Quote by Neil Postman
“I do not mean to imply that television news deliberately aims to deprive Americans of a coherent, contextual understanding of their world. I mean to say that when news is packaged as entertainment, that is the inevitable result. And in saying that the television news show entertains but does not inform, I am saying something far more serious than that we are being deprived of authentic information. I am saying we are losing our sense of what it means to be well informed.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman, 1985
When news is turned into entertainment, it erodes deep understanding, leaving people poorly informed about reality.
In simple terms: Entertainment news reduces real insight.
Key Takeaway
Seek depth over spectacle.
Themes
media
information
culture
critical thinking
Mood
concerned
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
commentary.
When to use this quote
- watching news
- educational programs
- media literacy workshops
- policy discussions
Key Concepts
media theory
public sphere
cognitive overload
Questions to Reflect On
- How does entertainment shape your perception of truth?
- What habits can protect you from shallow news?
A Different Perspective
Entertainment focus can still convey factual content if designed carefully.
![“In a...media environment that bombards us with all kinds of content and exposes us to all kinds of arguments, some of which don't always rank that high on the truth meter...Information [can] become a distraction, a diversion, a form of entertainment, rather than a tool of empowerment, rather than…” quote by Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/da2/barack-obama-17_happiness_in-a-media-environment-that-bombards-us_1208212.jpg)
![“He [an earnest young reporter] seemed to share the view of many intelligent, well-educated, well-meaning people that, while adult literature may aim to be art, the object of children's books is to whip the little rascals into shape.” quote by Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2cf/katherine-paterson-2365_adults_he-an-earnest-young-reporter-seemed-to-s_6101.jpg)
![“I really enjoyed it - being involved in watching rushes and playback [in "The Invisible Woman"]. Ralph [Fiennes] was very open to my input, I think knowing that he couldn't always be there 100 percent, that he had dual aims with directing and acting.” quote by Felicity Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/56e/felicity-jones-2070_acting_i-really-enjoyed-it-being-involved-in-wa_11933.jpg)
