Ok. For my classmates who thought that Postman is a technophobe, I must agree that the second have of Technopoly led me to that possible conclusion. Beginning with his explanation of the development of technology in medicine, there was a sense of hostility in his tone. Stating the pros and cons of a medical devices and technological advances is acceptable; but he pushes the concept too far by saying, "There are no longer methods of treating illness; there is only one method--the technological one." (102) On the contrary, there still many different approaches to medicine. Even doctors who use the most advanced technology sometimes incorporate holistic approaches to healing. I also must add that BECAUSE of the computer, more people are aware of alternative methods such as Chinese medicine, acupuncture, herbal remedies and such.
Another example of his extremism is on page 111, where he writes, "It (the computer) subordinates the claims of our nature, our biology, our emotions, our spirituality. The computer claims sovereignty over the whole range of human experience, and supports its claim by showing that it "thinks" better than we can." I understand that the computer is now weaved throughout almost every aspect of human life, but I still believe we are in control, we are still doing the actual "thinking", and we use the technology to our benefit.
As for his comment about his student and the thermometer, I seriously doubt that when Postman told his student that the thermometer read ninety-eight degrees, and the student replied, "No wonder it's so hot!", that the student meant that it was hot because the thermometer said so. It is clear that the student was simply surprised that it was 98 degrees hot. So nature was not "off the hook." (p114)
Most importantly, I must debate his opinion on page 119 where he states, "But the "message" of computer argues, to put it baldly, that the most serious problems confronting us at both personal and public levels require technical solutions through fast access to information otherwise unavailable. I would argue that this is , on the face of it, nonsense. Our most serious problems are not technical, nor do they arise from inadequate information." Actually, our most serious problems, like hunger, can be helped with technology, as we have seen on Ted Talks. And maybe future nuclear catastrophe can be avoided if people from 'enemy' countries can openly converse on the Internet without their governments censoring and altering information. An endless amount of helpful information can be found on the computer and used to help in education, family issues and even religion. The problems themselves may not be technical as Postman says, but they can be helped with technology. : P
Yes, yes, and yes! I believe that, no matter what he said to the contrary, Mr. Postman was a technophobe. No doubt in my mind! His book was very one-sided, and his arguments were weak. That's an interesting concept you introduced--about people openly conversing on the internet without censorship or government involvement. And of course, whenever we want or need information, about anything imaginable, the first thing most of us do is consult our favorite search engine. I don't know what I would do without technology, now that it's here!
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