Part Two, chapters 5-9

Part two of Amazing Ourselves to Death seems to have the underlying factor of Information within the content of each of the chapter.  This part of the book starts off with chapter five “breaking news” which discusses the Decline of Network News. The chapter discusses the development of other news sources with the advancement of technology and its effect on television News shows in general.  After taking a course in Production for TV News last semester, I’ve learned that one of the most important factors in watching television news is realizing that it is a news “show.” This realization suggests that we understand what goes into the creation of television news cast, what is controlled by the corporation, and what is being done to stay alive in a society that must be kept “entertained.” At the end of the chapter Strate states that “As, citizens, we need to have access to enough information to understand our situation, but not so much as to make it impossible to arrive at an accurate assessment.” He continues by expressing that “We are dependent on our media environment to make all this possible, which suggests that we need to find a way to alter our media environment, and bring it in line with the needs of a democratic society.”  This statement leads perfectly into the next chapter “The Tribe has Spoken” which discusses media in regards to politics and democracy.  From the discussion of reality television such as survivor and American idol to the effect that the development of media and technology has had on political campaigns and elections, this chapter encompasses yet again how the transportation of information affects society.  Chapter seven “Neon Gods” moves into religion and its role in media. In my eyes this again features an underlying factor of information. The difference in terms of religion is that it encompasses an information aspect and spiritual aspects. The spiritual side of religion is almost impossible to experience through a medium such as television. Although you may be able to listen to a sermon or watch a show about religious historical events, the spiritual connection cannot be delivered. This also relates to the fact that these mediums call for a different consciousness then that of a place or time of spirituality.