According to him, news reporting and propaganda have different functions. How did Lippmann define propaganda? According to Lippmann, propaganda is the act of fabricating or misrepresenting concepts to give them a new meaning. His writings primarily addressed public opinion and US foreign policy. Additionally, Lippmann authored a twice-weekly column that appeared in about 100 US newspapers. A Preface to Morals (1929), Public Opinion (1922), The Cold War: A Study in US Foreign Policy (1947), and The Public Philosophy (1955) are among the twenty books that Lippmann authored.
Postman is still relevant because the issues he raised have only grown more pressing, and his observations continue to show us the way forward in this era of abundant media. This book seemed to speak directly to my current experience because it was written in 1985, long before social media feeds and pocket-sized supercomputers, in a world dominated by television sets. I find it ironic that most people today are exposed to Postman's cautions about media and technology through the very channels that he would have found problematic.
Yet, within a few chapters, I felt a genuine chill run down my spine. Having someone explain what we're losing helps us make more deliberate decisions about what we're willing to give up for convenience and connection as our attention becomes more dispersed and our conversation more superficial. But perhaps that's exactly why we need his voice. Postman, a brilliant cultural critic and media theorist, had not only identified a problem in his own time, he had delivered a startlingly accurate prophecy about ours.
The usefulness of his work is what makes it beautiful. He helps us recognize that progress without reflection isn't progress at all. His inquiries concerning communication, education, and the truth have become more pointed rather than less. neil postman the end of education Postman's writing endures because it changes with time. That, in my opinion, is what keeps him relevant in day-to-day life - not just as a theorist from a different century, but also as a manual for remaining human in a mediated age.
His ideas can be used in discussions, instruction, or even just how you browse through your phone. His criticism pushes us to demand deeper conversations and avoid treating politics like a show. Observing contemporary campaigns on TV and the internet, I've noticed that presentation frequently takes precedence over policy. Discussions concerning democracy and public discourse are still sparked by his work. Postman was concerned that political discussions were becoming spectacles for entertainment, with style being more important than content.
He wasn't just describing television- he was describing a cultural shift that continues to expand.
