Television Quote by Neil Postman
““The problem is not that television presents us with entertaining subject matter but that all subject matter is presented as entertaining, which is another issue altogether. To””
About This Quote
Source Book: Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman, 1985
Entertainment frames all content, blurring distinction between serious and trivial information.
In simple terms: Everything feels entertaining now.
Key Takeaway
Critically assess media messages.
Themes
media
entertainment
information
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- news consumption
- social media use
- educational curricula
- policy debates
Key Concepts
critical thinking
media literacy
culture
Questions to Reflect On
- What criteria distinguish meaningful content?
- How does entertainment affect perception of truth?
A Different Perspective
Entertainment can also educate effectively if used wisely.
![“[It] is not that television is entertaining but that it has made entertainment itself the natural format for the representation of all experience. […] The problem is not that television presents us with entertaining subject matter but that all subject matter is presented as entertaining. (87)” quote by Neil Postman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/03a/neil-postman-1598_entertaining_it-is-not-that-television-is-entertainin_296760.jpg)
![“...[S]ome of the opinions which people entertain should be respected, and others should not.” quote by Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3bb/socrates-405_absolute-truth_s-ome-of-the-opinions-which-people-enter_412438.jpg)
