New Puritanism Analysis

After reading Seducing America, I feel that it is easier for me to be a New Puritan while watching the 2016 campaign because I can, to an extent, refrain from the inducement of television, but also, new mediums such as social media platforms, are making it easier for individuals like myself to take part in our citizenship rights and duties. According to Hart, the New Puritans should have three qualities in order to not allow television to take over their political views. A fundamentalist would resist to the temptation that television creates by “inviting us to live our lives apart from citizenship” (p. 167) and be a more proactive citizen by “voting, meeting, contributing, petitioning”. A communalist finds a community with people who share …show more content…
I consider myself an example on how television’s appeals can be combated through New Puritanism: I do not watch television, but I am taking part in the 2016 campaign by interacting with others on the internet. Many may argue that online sources are just as biased as television, but I feel like social media makes it easier for me to be a New Puritan because it allows for individuals and not simply corporations to reach out to the network of people around us. In terms of being a fundamentalist, through social media I can post a message on Facebook where I urge my friends to go out and vote, without feeling guilty about expressing my opinion on the importance of electing our government officials. For communalists, Facebook and Twitter help create a sense of collective identity within a community by allowing users to create groups were people who share similar beliefs can join, and the use of the hashtag has also become an important tool that helps people feel like they belong and can express their ideas and support freely. Finally, I personally feel that us as a class are the perfect example of what Hart means by being