"dissolution of discourse in 1988-2008 America,"
Postman, p. 5
"descent in to a Huxleyan world of technological narcotics."
Narcosis
At first it feels really fine, almost euphoria as the sedative (soma Huxley called it) settles the nerves and quiets the mind. Lulled into a stupor we only want more . . . we only want to escape into the delusion of ecstacy, rapture and bliss.
We are narcotized and in that state of withdrawal without the sedative we yearn for more of the same, We become accustomed to not wanting anything else because we equate all else but the narcotic with misery.
p. 112.
Is that why we lost focus and tend to confuse the trivial, or little things, with the important or big matters? Perhaps we are lost in the details because we need some compass to direct our search for order in a rapidly changing world.
The idea is that radio may be the least --or was then-- before Justice Scalia (when a judge) allowed the suspension of teh equal time provision under the "fairness doctrine" in broadcasting and the Rupert Murdoch publishing empire began to grow. two events converged in fortuitous reinforcing behavior that has hampered radio --into what is derisively called talk-radio today.
Since the media reassure people if not amuse, excite or soothe listeners and watchers -- there is a mind or sensory numbing empact.
This reminded me of the psychological concept of psychic numbing that survivors of trauma go through to help them cope.
Now a little denial is a good thing, but like all things in ecology there is an optimal range that is desirable for people to function well and humanely.
What is the ecology of justice
