«Amusing Ourselves to Death» 选读理由

Dilnar

The book "Amusing Ourselves to Death" is truly fascinating. Unlike the clichéd admonitions of "spend less time on your phone and read more books," it delves deeper into analyzing how entertainment has gradually "invaded" our lives and even altered our ways of thinking. For instance, even news has started to resemble variety shows, chasing brevity, speed, and sensationalism. This is what Postman refers to as the "amusementization" phenomenon—everything is becoming superficial, including the way we consume information.
  As students, we might think that scrolling through videos and playing games are just ways to relax. However, "Amusing Ourselves to Death" reminds us that entertainment is not merely about relaxation; it is also subtly shaping our values and worldview. For example, we might hastily form an opinion based on a viewpoint presented in a short video or get emotionally charged over a trending topic. But can these fragmented pieces of information truly make us wiser, or do they just make us more restless?
  The uniqueness of this book lies in the fact that it doesn't directly tell us "you're wrong." Instead, it encourages us to reflect on whether we are being "tamed" by entertainment. Are we finding it increasingly difficult to sit down and read a profound book or to seriously contemplate a complex issue? This kind of introspection is particularly important for us students, as our ways of thinking are still forming. This book can help us escape the trap of entertainment and rediscover the ability to think deeply.
"Amusing Ourselves to Death" is not a book that makes us feel oppressed; rather, it is a book that awakens us. It makes us wary of the "happiness" we find in our phones and even prompts us to start reconsidering how we allocate our time. This sense of awakening, I believe, is something every student needs. After all, we are not just consumers of entertainment; we should be the masters of our own lives.
I think "Amusing Ourselves to Death" is especially suitable for students like us who have grown up in the era of information explosion. Unlike dry theoretical books, it acts like a mirror, revealing the overlooked truths behind our daily habits of scrolling through short videos, binge-watching shows, and playing games. With sharp language, the author Neil Postman tells us that entertainment is not "harmless"; it is quietly changing our ways of thinking and even causing us to lose the ability to think deeply.
   The reason for choosing it is simple: it doesn't pretend to be profound but directly punctures the bubbles of our taken-for-granted lives. For example, we might find ourselves increasingly unable to focus on finishing a book or unwilling to delve deeply into complex issues—this book tells us that it's not our fault but the result of the entire society becoming amusement-oriented.