It Doesn't Matter What They're Talking About...

In the last paragraph of "Amusing Ourselves To Death" Postman distinguishes laughing and thinking. He makes the point that the age of Typography has declined so much that now society laughs at anything and everything. The distinction is important because society's idea of being entertained is now by not thinking as much as possible. We now are entertained by the smallest show that we do not have to think about. It's easy to America has also become unaware of the serious topics going on around the world because we have stopped caring about the important things in life.

I Love to Talk

My experience on Friday was a struggle, but I was able to get through it. One of the hardest times was when I was trying to communicate to a teacher that I had lost my paper and needed a new one. Since I couldn't talk, she did not understand and I just gave up and sat down defeated. I never got the paper, but both I and the teacher were very frusterated. I greatly appreciate being able to talk now more than I did!

Will We Ever Go Back?

Dr. Postman brought the same ideas to his speech at Calvin College as he did when he wrote Amusing Ourselves To Death. In chapter 1, Postman tells of what people use as mediums in their lives and how not all work now. Smoke signals that were once used do not bring about a clear message as society can today, he argues. Today's media and news also do not bring across what people can understand because of the complexity, but America is now reliant on new technology and not the simple things in life. Postman argued in his video that, "All our inventions are but improved means to an unimproved end." Is he right in saying that soon enough our society will start talking to door knobs? Postman also brings up the point in his video about cloning. God made us unique for a purpose and to make a second one of you is not what he planned. Are we going to clone just so we can live longer, if we need a new heart our clone will be the perfect match? In Amusing Oursleves To Death, Postman talks about the importance of life and how it is true that society now looks at TV and has to be like the hottest star around. We do not need clones or the newest fashion to make life better, but the simple things that has been lost now. If Postman could know one thing, it would most likely be if the American life will ever go back as it was before technology.
*something happened to the font size and I don't know how to change it..sorry!*

Chavez' Article on Words

1. offending someone with words is one of the biggest fears that Americans have I today’s society.  Chavez makes it clear that when in public, choosing what to say is crucial for yourself and others around.  By starting off her column with that point Chavez makes her intent clear with how words are so vital to chose before speaking them.

2. Bellicose, a word that fits so well into Chavez’ first thought. The sentence could almost be rewritten saying, “’Eager to fight’ metaphors have been a staple of politics…”.  Bellicose is such a strong word describing the metaphors politicians’ use which is why Chavez chose it.  She wanted to to give the impression that politicians sometimes do not think before they speak, but only try to get their opponent or won party riled up.  Chavez wanted the sentence to be such a strong one that bellicose fit nicely with its strong definition.

3. Chavez just wants people to know that thinking before speaking is the best way to go.  Most of the time when people open their mouths without filtering what is coming out and the words get them in trouble.  The best example Chavez uses is where the staff member, for a mayor, is fired for saying “niggardly” in a meeting.  Regular people have to think before they speak, but a politician has the hardest job of not offending others.  If the man would have thought before and had chosen an alternative word, he would most likely still have his job.

4. I agree with Chavez thinking that it is so important for people to think before they speak.  No matter who the person is, the words they speak effects everyone around them.  There are so many cases where someone’s feelings have been hurt, just because another did not think about what they were saying. It is not just about feelings, but how the words will be taken by people around.  Chavez’ article made me realize how anyone can say whatever they like, but the ones who think before they speak usually have the best words to say. It is not easy to stop saying something while thinking about it, but just think about how much trouble could be saved if the words did not come out.  I think that the more people do filter their words, the better off everyone is.