Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business

Author: Neil Postman
Publisher: 2nd Edition. New York: Penguin Books, 2006. 163 pages
Category: Society, Wisdom

Synopsis: In 1985, the late Neil Postman was becoming concerned about the effect that technological changes were having on culture. He was not upset with the changes themselves, but he could see that the culture was blind to how new technologies were shifting people’s values. His book, Amusing Ourselves to Death, is a warning to us so that we may see what technology is making of us. His hope is that we will use discernment in order to prevent cultural collapse.

Value: Technological change is inevitable, but as Christians, we need to be wise enough to notice each change’s value and danger. Postman’s book is an excellent start in trying to discover just how technology can affect our own expectations. What makes his book especially valuable is that it was written a decade before the internet went public and changed the world, but you will not find his information old or out of date. He is almost prophetic in his ability to expose us to what happens in the human condition when we allow our fast-paced culture to overtake our hearts.