Neil Postman’s essay “Defending Against the Indefensible” discusses the idea of distinguishing different forms of linguistic concepts. He believes that teachers should give students the skills to resist manipulative language. Within his essay, Postman introduces seven concepts: definitions, questions, simple words, metaphors, reification, style and tone, and media. With these points, he believes people can defend themselves against misleading forces.
The first pillar he discusses is “definitions” and the way they are accepted passively. Postman’s view indicates, that definitions are not absolute like mathematical equations. Instead, they are subjective and may contain ideas not in our interest.
Secondly, Postman introduces the topic of “questions”, bringing forth the idea of question-asking and exploring answers, and the importance they have towards defending our minds from manipulative information. He states that how we …show more content…
Metaphors can make you view a topic in positive or negative manners, depending on how we use and interpret them. It is up to us to determine metaphors and examine their complexities.
Postman’s fifth pillar is the power of naming known as “reification”. His concept represents the idea that names have meanings, and affect our perception. A name has immense power and directs our thoughts and ideas on a specific topic. Depending on how pleasant a name sounds to us, we interpret the idea in a different manner.
His second-to-last pillar is “style and tone”. Postman indicates that mannerisms play a huge role in how we interpret a text. Depending on what the author is trying to represent, they may change their tone to get their view across with clarity. The vocabulary, or tone of voice a writer uses determines the affect their writing will have on their
The first pillar he discusses is “definitions” and the way they are accepted passively. Postman’s view indicates, that definitions are not absolute like mathematical equations. Instead, they are subjective and may contain ideas not in our interest.
Secondly, Postman introduces the topic of “questions”, bringing forth the idea of question-asking and exploring answers, and the importance they have towards defending our minds from manipulative information. He states that how we …show more content…
Metaphors can make you view a topic in positive or negative manners, depending on how we use and interpret them. It is up to us to determine metaphors and examine their complexities.
Postman’s fifth pillar is the power of naming known as “reification”. His concept represents the idea that names have meanings, and affect our perception. A name has immense power and directs our thoughts and ideas on a specific topic. Depending on how pleasant a name sounds to us, we interpret the idea in a different manner.
His second-to-last pillar is “style and tone”. Postman indicates that mannerisms play a huge role in how we interpret a text. Depending on what the author is trying to represent, they may change their tone to get their view across with clarity. The vocabulary, or tone of voice a writer uses determines the affect their writing will have on their