The journal essay was written for class on "power and change in technological society". At present, I do not hold the same views and will not reach the same conclusions. However, I present the essay in its original form without editing for opinion or structure.

Postman

"Informing Ourselves to Death", is a speech by Neil Postman documented in "Media Literacy Review". He sets out to critically talk about computer technology. His speech reflects the topic statement, and addresses the theme subject.

He describes technological change as a "Faustian bargain: technology giveth and technology taketh away, and not always in equal measure". He asserts that technological change "always results in winners and losers." He notes that computer technology has "increased the power of large-scale organizations", and aids in controlling, exploiting, and striping the privacy of the masses. However, Postman dismisses conspiracy on part of the technological developers.

Postman's remarks partially explain the source of the paradox of the topic statement. Technology empowers segments of society, thus overall increasing the "powers available to society", but it is irrelevant or even harmful to masses.

Despite technology and science, Postman argues that modern men are not smarter or able to comprehend the world better than his ancestors. He agrees with George Orwell "that the average person today is about as naive as was the average person in the Middle Ages." Further he states, "In the Middle Ages people believed in the authority of their religion, no matter what. Today, we believe in the authority of our science, no matter what."

Postman's claim is an insult to modern man. Modern man conceptualizes himself to be more rational, and with greater capacity to reason than his ancestors. His scientific mindset and institutions allow for greater exploration and criticism. How else are we to explain our tremendous technological march? But, if an individual does feel powerless, then why?

For Postman, we are lost in the information overload, which was enabled by technological developments such as the printing press, and the computer. "We don't know what information is relevant, and what information is irrelevant to our lives." He affirms that "computer and information cannot answer any of the fundamental questions we need to address to make our lives more meaningful and humane." Postman warns of the "dangerous waste of human talent and energy" in the field of technology at the neglect of other fields.

Today, education is specialized and fragmented. That is the only way to comprehend something valued in the market, and thus make a living. In the process we have less time to seek a comprehensive view about the world. Even if we find time, where will we find a comprehensive view in this mass of information. Information overload is a symbol of the paradox of technology. So much information, yet for an individual so little of value.