Differences

In chapter 6 on page 85 at the bottom of the page of "Amusing Ourselves to Death", Postman says, "there are many places in the world where television, though the same technology as it is in America is an entirely different medium from what we know". In other countries the T.V. is no different from ours here in America but the difference is what why and how it is used. There is also a difference in its effect on the public.
Postman then goes on to say that "where most programs have as their purpose the direct further aim of government ideology and policy". In other countries the T.V. is not used based according to when and what the people watch but when and what the government wants them to watch. In some cases the government puts many restrictions on what is broad casted throughout the public.
At the end of the page postman say that "it is possible for a technology to be so use used that its potentialities are prevented from developing and its social consequences kept to a minimum". Where there is no T.V. or limited T.V. in some countries they are not affected as much as people here in America. Their lives are not controlled by T.V. When T.V. is the main highlight in our lives it consumes most of our time. The T.V. mostly controls what and when you can do any thing at a given time.
When I am watching T.V. most of my attention is directed to whatever is on. Some times my plans are shaped on what time a T.V. show is coming on. If I am traveling to any place I would give myself a specific time to get home in order to catch a T.V. show.
T.V. is in a way taking over a majority of our lives. If a restriction was placed here, on how much T.V. is watched would the popularity of T.V. decrease? Would that time be put to good use or be filled with other entertaining things like the internet or video games?