The Misuse of Amazing Resources by Karla

The Misuse of Amazing Resources by Karla - February 2015 Scholarship Essay

Before I knew it, the day had passed. I groaned at the thought of having to spend all day tomorrow doing my homework. I should have started yesterday and finished it today, I thought to myself. Now, I’ll have to spend my Sunday stressed out and with little sleep.

Once again, my weekend had been spent with my face glued to my phone and computer, but I could not remember half of the things I had seen or read. The time I had spent watching videos was useless, yet I continued to give my computer screen power over my life. I did not become fully aware of my mistake until I read Amusing Ourselves to Death by Niel Postman during high school.

Amusing Ourselves to Death focuses on television and how the public is led to believe that they can be well-informed by catching a couple of news stories, but news channels provide minimal information in the little time given for each story. Although these are meant to be sources of information, these channels are also focused on entertaining the public in order to keep a good number of viewers. The public’s shift to more accessible technology like smart phones makes the book even more relevant for today’s youth; more of the little time actual information is given is now spent on promoting Facebook and Twitter accounts to follow. The book made me aware of my deceptive perception on what happened in the world. Before then, my only source of useful information about the world came from the news that my mom occasionally tuned into while I got ready for school in the morning. When I read the book, I realized how inaccurate and one-sided the information can be.

If I had not read the book, I would not have learned to fully appreciate my education. Textbooks stopped feeling like a punishment away from my phone; they became a source of enlightenment through which I could understand today’s social and political issues. As I spent more time on my studies, managing my time became easier.

All high school students should be reading Amusing Ourselves to Death before they graduate because it will make them more aware of the information they actually receive through the media. Many students might choose to ignore the book’s message, but it is difficult to ignore it when everything Niel Postman describes is put before them during presidential campaigns or even a regular news story. Ultimately, the first step towards fixing this issue is being conscious of it which is what the book did for me. I believe it can do this for many other students and help them change harmful habits into actions that can help others from being fooled into thinking that television and media is a good source of knowledge.