CRITICAL THEORISTS

Lessons notes : 

Marshall McLuhan focuses on how the format in which we receive information (the "medium") is just as important as the information itself (the "message"). He argues that different technologies change the way we think and interact with each other. 

Neil Postman is concerned about the impact of television, particularly its focus on entertainment. In his book "Amusing Ourselves to Death" (1985), he argues that TV shortens our attention span and weakens our ability to think critically. He highlights the decline of serious reflection and the rise of a political landscape dominated by entertainment value ("showbiz politics"). 

Walter Ong explores the differences between cultures that rely on spoken word (oral cultures) and those that rely on written language (literate cultures). Oral cultures prioritize memorization, shared knowledge, and communal storytelling. Literate cultures, on the other hand, emphasize abstract thinking, logical analysis, individual authorship, and a more objective perspective.

How they would react to the world we live in today - the one of TikTok, Insta reels, FaceTime, Apple Vision Pro, and Chat GPT. 

According to Marshall McLuhan, "the medium is the message" and he can validate his previous theory. These days, they select the platform above the content. Instead of official television broadcasts or publications, we acquire information like news via TikTok and streaming sessions. This demonstrated the medium's strength and how it changes the way we consume information.  

Neil Postman: he would wholeheartedly concur with his prediction that more of our content is becoming entertainment due to the growth of marketing and advertising. "Showbiz" politics can be used to characterize the current state of affairs, when a politician's ability to effectively market himself or herself in addition to their public speaking skills affects the outcome of an election. His concerns about the potential decline in critical thinking may intensify as Chat GPT becomes more widely used and artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent. 

Walter Ong: Since individuals can search instantly for information and keep data on their cell phones to be accessed whenever needed, the importance of oral culture memory will decline in the digital age, when memory is far less significant than it ever was. Interestingly, though, participatory storytelling still takes place, albeit for distinct objectives. Adults giving stories to children no longer impart knowledge; instead, it has become a kind of amusement. The most well-liked formats are comedy storytelling and short news and story TikTok videos.