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Summary: Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television
Review: I notice this book has received a 5 star rating. If there were a 6th star then Jerry Mander deserves it for this ground up, step by step, patiently researched and superbly written decimation of television in both form and content. This book has become a bible for me that I buy in quantity to give away to new parents, parents to be, psychologists, advertisers, people in media and others blinded by the corporate fed idea that television is necessary, informative, reformative but not deformative. Thank you Jerry, My 3 year old does not watch TV.
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Summary: Why Havent you gotten this book yet?
Review: 1)All of us are guilty of being in a trans-like state while watching the TV! I have been TV free for almost 2 years! Thanks to this book.I recommend this book before you read Neil Postman. this book gives wonderful examples of TV-minds, and how we are possesed and live our lives around a small (or big) black box that controls our minds! My advice, read this book, get more knowledge on the effects of TV in your life then THROW THE TV IN THE GARBAGE!
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Summary: Makes you think
Review: THis book really made me think. And reflecting upon it objectively, what has been written is true. Brilliantly compiled and charmingly executed, Jerry Mander takes into account a number of 'threads' and brings them whole. A must-read I believe for every human being.
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Summary: A FIFTH ARGUMENT FOR THE ELIMINATION OF TELEVISION
Review: For anyone who has read Mander's book with appreciation, I would heartily recommend Henri Nouwen's book, THE WOUNDED HEALER as a probing follow-up. The book is not focused on TV as such, but it paints a vivid picture of the conditions of our tech-driven society that has led to the corruption that has eaten the heart out of this society, and by consequence, infiltrated television programming,which simply mirrors the corruption of the society that produces it. Nouwen, in fact, quotes Mander's book in another of his (i.e., Nouwen's)books: GRACIAS!:A LATIN AMERICAN JOURNAL(pg.30). But again, the best follow-up to Mander's book is definitely Nouwen's earlier work: THE WOUNDED HEALER, which could well be sub-titled: "How we ended up in the mess we are in today." Robert Durback Cleveland, Ohio
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Summary: Eliminating television, thought provoking
Review: i bought this book due to a reference to chapter 9 about "ingestion of artificial light" (from an astronomer friend). however, as i read through the rest of the book, i got hooked. i agree with one poster, some arguements against TV are in reality an arguement against capitalism. however, i grew up with 3-4 hours of TV per day, and as i think back through my childhood, and performance in school (high school and college) i can apply much of what mander says to my problems back then (lack of attention, lack of motivation, poor grades), and can even see remnants of the effects today (at 33 years). the logic is not bullet proof here but test some of mander's theories with your childer and i think you'll see some truth. TV truly is a wasteland, and i think "quality television" is really an oxymoron.
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Summary: This book kept me awake at night just thinking
Review: The four arguments in this book are each quite different and thought provoking. I grew up with very little television and do not own one now. Perhaps that is why I find so much enjoyment in nature and being outside, looking at everything and never getting bored. I would recommend this book to everyone with children who want to give their children a vibrant childhood.
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Summary: An Excellent Book, but Somehwat Outdated
Review: This is truly an excellent book, and I recommend it highly to the reader. The author casts a wider net for understanding the potential harm of TV than possibly any other writer, and recent events have proven him prophetic. However, like Postman's superb "Amusing Ourselves to Death," this book is now over 20 years old. For a current review of the data and research in this vital field I highly recommend Grossman and DeGaetano's new book, "Stop Teaching Our Kids to Kill," which also addresses the impact of violent video games and incorporates some intriguing new military research.
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Summary: Mander's Arguments More Relevant Than Ever
Review: Yes, we seem to agree that his arguments against TV are valid, true, and not merely thought provoking, but action provoking. However, also bear in mind that we are coming into an age where everyone is staring at a computer monitor. If you read this book and think of the now and tomorrow, you come to realize that we are falling dangerously close to worshipping artificial light. Where else can we apply Mander's arguments? The workplace, the education system, home, government . . the list goes on and on.
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Summary: This is the way it really is Mr. Cronkite!
Review: For decades I had been wondering why it becomes increasingly difficult to have warm, meaningful discussions with friends, family members and co-workers. Maybe there was something wrong with me for enjoying thought-provoking discussions over a wide variety of topics. Thanks, Jerry for pointing out that TV is screwing up the ability of people in this country to have meaningful discourse. Go to a party where a TV is on in the room and you would think that you are in the lobotomy wing of a hospital. Despite being written more than 20 years ago, this book is more relevant now than ever due to the recent massive media mergers and the full emergence of global corporate culture in the 90's. Now whenever I see a TV news crew out "reporting", I make sure to yell insults and obscenities at them and tell them to get a job as real journalists. If you read this book, I bet that you'll end up doing the same!
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Summary: If capitalism means blind acceptance ...
Review: If capitalism means we should blindly accept everything that's put up for our consumption, then this book is anti-capitalist. Mander's analysis of the mediated experience is especially valuable. It is a good perspective for examining everything we do to try to understand our world and enjoy ourselves. That is, do we accept a pre-chewed reality that somebody sells to us, or do we discover it for ourselves?
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