An idea that has gained renewed currency in recent years is that the p

Question

An idea that has gained renewed currency in recent years is that the proliferation of information technology has a deleterious effect on interpersonal relationships. Neil Postman, in his book Amusing Ourselves to Death, asserted that television, as a medium, was incapable of fostering intelligent, meaningful discourse around a given subject. Postman wrote his book in the 1980s, when cable television was first becoming widely available. In it, he discusses the way that putatively "serious" news programs are inherently trite. Terse reports on serious, weighty issues such as the war in Iraq are juxtaposed with trivial information, such as celebrity gossip. Often the two are linked, one after another, by the phrase "and now. . ." This leaves the viewer unable to emotionally respond to something traumatic, as he is bombarded with disparate pieces of information in rapid succession. Instant access to a glut of information impoverishes genuine experiences, as it deprives the information of a meaningful context for interpretation.    1 
 Consider each of the following choices separately and select all that apply.

Based on his views as they're expressed in the passage, Postman would likely agree with which of the following statements?

A. Information technologies such as smartphones are unlikely to provide meaningful contexts in which to interpret information. 
B. Television programs inherently lack intelligent, meaningful discourse.
C. The medium in which factual content is delivered can be an important factor in how that content is interpreted.

A. I only
B. II only
C. III only
D. I and II only
E. I and III only

deva1 · Answer

Based on my understanding.

Postman's main argument:  The medium matters deeply-- it's not just what we say, but how it's delivered.
He also states,  Television was incapable of fostering intelligent, meaningful dicourse.

He criticized news programs, and says it disrupts emotional and intellectual processing.

So, as per the choices. three choices would fit for postman, right? Then why only 1 and 3 are correct and not 2.

Can anyone explain it?

Carcass · Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

E

This question is asking you to infer Postman's position from what the brief selection tells you about his views. Choice (A) is correct because the author noted that Postman thought "instant access to a glut of information" reduced meaningful context for that information. Thus, he would likely apply this reasoning to newer information technology that has the same effect. Choice (B) is subtly wrong. Postman, you're told, thought television incapable of fostering intelligent discourse among its viewers; you cannot conclude that he therefore thinks that no intelligent discourse appears in any television program. In fact, part of Postman's problem with the medium is that serious topics are juxtaposed with frivolous items. Postman would definitely agree with the statement in choice (C). Given his views on television, as a medium, and those in the final sentence of the passage, you can infer that he believes that media influence how information is interpreted.

sandyy012 · Answer

According to me

1. It talks about how smartphones give information in chunks, one after another.  ( TRUE) 
2. The author will not agree to this because TV doesn't lack intelligence, only a few channels on TV  ( NOT TRUE) 
3. This is the main idea of the passage.  ( TRUE)

sandyy012 · Answer

According to me

1. It talks about how smartphones give information in chunks, one after another.  ( TRUE) 
2. The author will not agree to this because TV doesn't lack intelligence, only a few channels on TV  ( NOT TRUE) 
3. This is the main idea of the passage.  ( TRUE)

ArmaanBajaj · Answer

For 1., we cannot assume smartphones provide a lot of info instantly; what if the user reads is one by one. And for 2, the author explicitly mentions that 'TV was incapable' before coming to the news channels. 
Shouldn't these be considered before answering this?

Bunuel · Answer

Ignore this question.

The question is archived.

An idea that has gained renewed currency in recent years is that the p

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