Amusing Ourselves 3

Describe what Postman means by the term "information-action ratio." Now answer his question: How often does it occur that news causes you to alter plans, take some action, etc.? (He's not talking about weather or traffic news, but so-called "serious" news, the kind that shows up on the network evening news or the front page of a newspaper or as the lead item on a news Web site.) What does your answer tell you about the nature of what passes for news today? Please respond by 4 p.m, Sunday.

Styles of Navigation

In his book Media Unlimited, Todd Gitlin identifies several styles of navigating the so-called "media torrent." Which style best describes you? Why? Cite a specific example of your media use (or non-use) for illustration.

Your response is due by 6 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 22.

Amusing Ourselves, Part Deux

Please follow the link below to a NY Times article;

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/17/arts/television/17kaku.html

Please discuss by  4 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 11, whether and how "The Daily Show," as described in the New York Times article and as you have possibly experienced it on TV, confirms, modifies, or refutes Postman's thesis in Amusing Ourselves to Death.

Amusing Ourselves to Death, Chaps. 1-3

After reading the first three chapters of Amusing Ourselves to Death, what would you say is the major premise of Postman's book? Do you find yourself in agreement with it? Why or why not?

Be as specific and concrete as possible in your response (such as by including examples). Please respond by noon, Wednesday, Sept. 15.

Life and Death of American Journalism

Please read the article linked below:

http://www.inthesetimes.com/community/20questions/6002/robert_mcchesney_and_john_nichols/

Respond to the following questions by 6 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 12:

1) What do McChesney and Nicols see as the causes for the current crisis in journalism?

2) What do they propose as a solution?

3) What do you think of their proposal? Why?