In class we discussed two theories about the cognitive requirements of contemporary TV.
The first theory discussed was the Sleeper Curve (2005), conceived by Steven Johnson, who argues that television DOES make us smarter, not because of it's content but because of its complex structures. He states that today's TV shows, which often have multiple plots of equal importance going on simultaneously, "require us to have to pay attention, make inferences and track shifting social relationships." To further back his theory, he states that contemporary TV avoids obvious cues (flashing arrows, he calls them), that used to hold the hand of TV watchers, constantly reminding them of what exactly was going on. He then argues that if TV watchers in contemporary society were to watch an episode of "Bonanza,"for example, we would most likely be bored.
The second theory, is by media theorist, Neil Postman, author of "Amusing Ourselves to Death" (1985). In the text, Postman argues that television is ultimately the death of our intelligence. He argues many points, some of which include the idea that 1) Television has an inherent bias for entertainment which therefore turns the serious areas of our culture (news, religious broadcasting and educational programming) into branches of show business 2) Television causes a disconnect (from truth/fiction, each other, ourselves to the information we receive). One example he gives of this is the layout of newspapers, in which each story is juxtaposed between other stories that have nothing to do with it. He also mentions the distanced cause by the glut of information, i.e. the more information we receive, the less we care about it. 3) Commercials manufacture desires other than products that meet genuine needs. No longer is the buyer well informed about the product, they are entertained and amused into buying it.
The similarity between these two theorists is that both focus on the medium itself, NOT the content of the messages.
For this post, please write your thoughts as to which theory you agree with. Please use your text for at least one source. There is quite a bit on this topic in there.
Due Wednesday, April 24 by 10 PM
OtherPossible sources:
A summary of Johnson's theory as seen in his book :
OtherPossible sources:
A summary of Johnson's theory as seen in his book :
Everything Bad Is Good for You: How Today's Popular Culture Is Actually Making Us Smarter. Published in the New York Times, 2005 http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/24/magazine/24TV.html?pagewanted=5&_r=0
A decent online summary of Postman's theory: http://www.kemstone.com/Nonfiction/Politics/Amusing.htm
