Neil Postman

Neil Postman was an American author, television host and media critic born in New York City in 1931. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from State University of New York, Albany in 1953 and subsequently went on to receive a Master of Arts degree from the same institution. This was followed by a Master of Science from the University of Pennsylvania in 1955 and finally a PhD from Teacher’s College, Columbia University in 1958.

Postman was a distinguished professor of communication at New York University for many years, and authored several books, including Teaching as a Conserving Activity, Teaching in America, The End of Education, Amusing Ourselves to Death and Conscientious Objections. His career centered around the analysis of the effects of media on culture, and his writings have been highly influential amongst academics and the general public alike.

Postman’s most famous work is his 1985 book Amusing Ourselves to Death, in which he examines how the media, namely television, has desensitized society and led to a decline in authentic communication. In his book, Postman argues that modern media technologies have caused people to forget how to communicate effectively, making it impossible to engage in meaningful conversations. He traces the problem to television, which he views as having solipsistic tendencies, as it is singularly focused on entertaining the viewer and disregards larger social issues. Postman argues that the effects of this media-induced decline can be seen in all facets of contemporary life, including both politics and education.

Postman’s work was a powerful voice in the media studies sector, and his influence has been felt decades after its inception. His direct criticism of television and its impact on culture laid the foundation for further research and discussion in the field. His views on media have been adapted and adapted for both academic and popular audiences, as seen in books such as W. L. Dutton’s Media, Popular Culture and Education and David Buckingham’s Media Education. Postman’s work has been extremely important in the development of today’s media education, which seeks to help students differentiate between media that is authentic, meaningful communication, and media that is simply idle entertainment.

Postman wrote numerous other books, including The Disappearance of Childhood, Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology, and Technological Change. His works are still highly regarded and continue to be read and discussed to this day. He also wrote a number of plays and television scripts, and hosted a weekly show on WNET called “The Third High."

Neil Postman’s influence on the media studies field is undeniable; his work has become vital in the effort to analyze media’s effect on culture and to encourage meaningful communication. He was a pioneer of media studies and his books remain essential reading for both students and those interested in the field. Postman died in 2003 at the age of 72, but his legacy lives on and continues to impact the way we think and communicate today.