Argument Quote by Neil Postman
“My argument is limited to saying that a major new medium changes the structure of discourse; it does so by encouraging certain uses of the intellect, by favoring certain definitions of intelligence and wisdom, and by demanding a certain kind of content - in a phrase, by creating new forms of truth-telling.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Amusing Ourselves to Death, Neil Postman, 1985
New media reshape discourse by promoting specific intellectual habits, redefining intelligence, and creating novel forms of truth‑telling.
In simple terms: Media changes how we think and speak truth.
Critically assess how media shapes your thinking.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- news consumption
- social media
- education
- political debate
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your preferred medium affect your perception of truth?
- What intellectual habits does your media encourage?
Media can also simplify complex ideas, risking superficial understanding.