Communication Quote by Neil Postman
““I should go so far as to say that embedded in the surrealistic frame of a television news show is a theory of anticommunication, featuring a type of discourse that abandons logic, reason, sequence and rules of contradiction. In aesthetics, I believe the name given to this theory is Dadaism; in philosophy, nihilism; in psychiatry, schizophrenia. In the parlance of the theater, it is known as vaudeville.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Amusing O by Neil Postman, 1985
Television news often abandons logical discourse, resembling Dadaist art, nihilist philosophy, and schizophrenic thought, turning information into chaotic entertainment.
In simple terms: News can be chaotic and illogical.
Key Takeaway
Critically evaluate media.
Themes
media
logic
chaos
Mood
skeptical
analytical
Type
critical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political debates
- social media
- education
- public speaking
Key Concepts
postmodernism
information overload
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- How does media shape your perception?
- Can logic survive in entertainment?
A Different Perspective
Not all media is intentionally chaotic; some aim for clarity.
