Postman end of chapter ten.
"You can't consume much if you sit still and read books."
Brave New World middle of chapter three.
The first quote is the statistical response to the question is television better than print in educating. The second quote seems to be the answer that we're headed to if we're not there yet. Tests and surveys can prove that in fact television hardly teaches you anything, but thats not stopping companies from trying. Today a company can make an "educational" video about any subject, and by adding special effects or music it could become quite popular. In my opinion if a teacher asked a group of students whether they would like to read about what happens when a volcano erupts or watch a volcano erupt on T.V. I'm guessing television would be the answer. Now instead of learning about why it explodes and what the lava does to the environment the students learn that when a volcano erupts it is really bright and and lava runs down it. Can statistics really save us from the future where print is irrelevant?
I agree that television has the potential to alter the way we view different subjects. By focusing on an image centered display that is fast and entertaining, it is not hard to imagine what choice is better. Print on the other hand depends on the reader's speed and comprehension and requires careful scrutiny. So there is no doubt that print does promote mnemonics and help to aid in comprehension because it requires more thought then what a television set can offer. While television is geared towards non-complex concepts and easy-to-see themes, print requires patience and the ability to have objectivity. The answer would be that print would not be irrelevant in the future seeing as the computer aids in maintaining its presence in society.
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