Chapter 5 talks about how TV turns serious ideas into entertainment. Postman says that TV can’t handle complicated thoughts because it needs to keep people watching. For example, religion, politics, and education now look like TV shows. Preachers become performers, politicians act like celebrities, and schools try to “sell” learning with fun videos.
Before TV, religion was about deep thinking and community. But on TV, it’s about catchy music, bright lights, and smiling faces. Politics used to focus on debates and policies. Now, it’s about short speeches, ads, and who looks more friendly on camera. Even schools feel pressured to make lessons entertaining, not meaningful. This makes me think: When everything becomes a show, do we lose the real purpose of these things? If a teacher acts like a clown to keep students interested, are they really teaching? Postman warns that mixing entertainment with serious topics makes us forget how to think deeply. Today, with TikTok and YouTube, this problem feels bigger. We laugh at funny clips but rarely stop to reflect.
The chapter reminds me to question: Is this entertaining me or helping me grow? True learning and faith need quiet time, not just flashy screens. |