Blog #4

The debate between Neil Postman and Camille Paglia reflected the intellectual “struggle for preeminence between words and pictures.” While both intellectuals presented strong arguments, I felt the television perspective taken by Paglia was superior to Postman’s counter-argument for print. The successful integration of historical context into the modern day strengthened many talking points. This was shown when Paglia referenced the function of entertainment in the dialogue of Plato and Socrates. Additionally, I was able to identify with many of Paglia’s perspectives. This could be due to the fact that I was born after WWII and was therefore “formed by television.” It is difficult to remain unbiased when I was born in a generation that was defended and promoted by one debater, and scrutinized by the other. This bias however is not enough to deter my personal support for Paglia when her views simply make more sense.

A large criticism of Postman was the discontinuity of reality in television, and how it affected emotional responses. He felt that television breaks the habits of logic and thinking. Paglia however, felt that this “madness” was the same madness that is experienced everyday, therefore making television a better reflection of reality. This is the stronger argument because life is uncontrollable and random. We may plan ahead, however unexpected events often arise, revising our plans. The success of the “sitcom,” or situational comedy, is in the humorous portrayal of the unexpected. It takes the random events of everyday life and emphasizes their absurdity and often irony. In one episode of Seinfeld, a regular game of “risk” escalates into an intense competition between two characters. It ends when a Ukrainian man assaults the two on a subway because Kramer taunted Newman by saying “the Ukraine is weak.” This entertaining resolution stemmed from the over-competitive nature that is often encountered within life. Life is therefore random, it can be humorous, unfortunate, ironic, or privileged, but we continue. The discontinuity of television can be comprehended in the same manner as reality to create logic.

The remainder of this argument was how discontinuity affected a viewer’s emotional response. Postman argued that during a news report a viewer is told of a tragic earthquake, and then, five seconds later, the viewer is watching an add for soap. He felt this emotional transition was dangerous to development. Paglia however, believed that this shift required maturity. Sympathizing with every disaster would leave a person emotionally crippled. Everyday we are reminded that there is death and destruction in the world. Detachment is a necessary tool to prevent insanity and promote learning. Paglia defined wisdom as, “philosophical detachment from life’s disasters.” This detachment is the foundation for knowledge, even if it does take the form of a soap ad.

Postman argued that reading was a method of conditioning children to sit still. This would prove beneficial in the classroom by enhance learning, particularly in the areas of science and engineering. The opposing argument emphasized the changing sensory responses of children. Those who grew up with television have been programmed to access different parts of the brain when required. There are different levels to which people are naturally disposed to a sedentary lifestyle. Some are more active then others, physically, and cognitively. Those born in later generations are more cognitively active then those born prior to WWII. They exhibit “multi-layered thinking,” or the ability to apply a certain emphasis on one task while passively doing others. I am engaging in this practice currently, listening to the Goo Goo Dolls while I am writing this blog.

Both Paglia and Postman had presented their views on the way we process knowledge. It is important however, to also examine the most efficient means for presenting this knowledge. Among all the conflicting perspectives there was one point of agreement. Both thinkers felt that there is a need to, “reinforce logo centric and Apollonian sides of our culture in the schools. It is time for enlightened repression of the children.” Essentially, schools must emphasize the features of ancient Greek mythology, and the systems of thought produced by the enlightenment. Truth is currently repressed rather then objectified through logic.

The educational system of today hardly reflects the teachings of early philosophers. Higher education is far too narrowly focused in the disciplines. The standards of society have risen so that a college diploma is the equivalence of the high school diploma ten years ago. In order to excel in a field a master’s diploma is almost required. As we are more educated however, I think we lose sight of life’s discontinuity. The more specific knowledge is, the lesser the chance of encountering a different disciplinary perspective. I agree in that society should emphasize the cognitive structure of history’s greatest thinkers, and reproduce it. I fear that as society’s standards increase, the more we are simply reading a book from left to right, and going through the motions. The box that we are supposed to think outside of is simply getting bigger. Innovation and critical thinking are compromised with specialization. It is the unexpected obstacle that teaches us most efficiently.

WORKS CITED:

Paglia, C. and N. Postman. 1991. Two Cultures-Television verses Print: Communication in History. United States: Pearson Education Inc.