Tuesday, September 4, 2012
#2. "In every tool we create, an idea is embedded that goes beyond the function of the thing itself."
Give an example. In the example you've chosen, show how this idea could be either beneficial or detrimental. Meerkat and I chose TV. Going along with the quote, TV itself is something that for sure has an idea that goes far beyond it's actual function. As Neil Postman writes throughout his entire book, TV has changed our perception of "serious matters" such as religion, politics and the news and turned them purely into forms of entertainment, with attractive actors, beautiful sets, and background music.
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Adding to what Katherine mentioned, I think that the expectation that everything and everyone on TV must be attractive is hugely detrimental. This standard only adds to Neil's argument that TV is entirely entertainment based and has no value past the superficial. In my opinion it is fine to have TV shows such as Gossip Girl, 90210, and Pretty Little Liars filled with attractive people because, in all honesty, it makes the show much more interesting to watch, but in the case of news or politics it is unfair to expect all the people working to be attractive. Yes, they should look put together but it is completely out of their control how naturally beautiful they are, and that should not get in the way of their success at work. This seems to have translated into other parts of life as well. I recently was listening to the radio when they said that women who are attractive are less likely to get a job as a mechanical engineer. Even though it is the opposite as on TV, the principle is the same: people are getting judged for their physical appearance rather than their intellectual capabilities, which is completely unfair.
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