2001 | Fredonia Alum Neil Postman On Childhood

Author, media theorist and social critic Neil Postman in 2001 at SUNY Fredonia talking about the then-current state of "childhood". Postman was from New York City and graduated from Fredonia in 1953 before getting a Doctor of Education in 1958 from Columbia University.

[@Infidelio]

I was fortunate to have read Neil Postman’s books, particularly “Amusing Ourselves to Death”, before I had my now 26-year-old child. I acted according regarding television watching. There was pushback, of course, but the payoff was when, as an adult, she told me I did the right thing. Neil Postman has had a profound influence on my life and I am eternally grateful to him.

[@inessaarmand7971]

Neil was a genius.

[@deanellis3468]

“Those curious entertainments that daily provide the young with vivid images of adult failure and even madness”….Brilliant description of the news, wow.

[@petestevens3970]

I respect greatly Postman’s contribution.

[@philnewton3096]

What a Great and Gracious Messenger for us all.His pace and beautiful relaxed vernal delivery by phasing and gentle intonation

[@hadlerleco1]

Thank you!!

[@stevec1192]

Shame we can’t hear the questions. What a wonderfully, sensitive, perceptive, charming, intelligent man.

[@stevec1192]

Yes certainly. But Great and Gracious messenger (below) puts it better.

[@jayanthimenon5755]

Thank you for sharing

[@beandipnyc]

Thank you!

[@vividlight]

Liberation of value has produced disasters after disasters. This time is different?

[@SS-wysiwyg]

Heartbreaking facts about the future, wish we had more Niel Postmans than Bill Gates churned out of our education system 😞 To all who are interested, please look up Gurukula system and the concept of Guru Dakshina.

[@philnewton3096]

pity about the floor questions sound level

[@Mikathedog100]

What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one. Orwell feared those who would deprive us of information. Huxley feared those who would give us so much that we would be reduced to passivity and egoism. Orwell feared that the truth would be concealed from us. Huxley feared the truth would be drowned in a sea of irrelevance. Orwell feared we would become a captive culture. Huxley feared we would become a trivial culture.

[@jameseldridge3445]

Hmm I wonder what group own the media?