Four Arguments For the Elimination of Television - J.Mander

[infinity]

I've just finished re-reading Four Arguments For the Elimination of Television by J.Mander (1978)and finished reading his other book, In The Absence Of the Sacred: The Failure of Technology and the Survival of the American Indians. (1991)

 

'Four Arguments..' is a really interesting read and gives one an insight into how television works on the mind.

 

I'm yet to find any contemporary books on the subject and wonder if anyone has read anything in the same vein. ?

 

I have also just finished reading The Politics of Experience RD Laing (1967)

 

I seem to be drawn to authors of the 60's and 70's yet still think they have some relevance regarding problems with western Culture/Society.

 

If anyone knows of contemporary authors who question technologies for their effect on community and human interaction, or books on the dark art of public relations/advertising I'd be very interested in hearing from you.

[Chrissy]

The only book that springs to mind, is one I have on my To Be Read pile, 'No Logo' by Naomi Klein .

[infinity]

I think i'll put No Logo on my to read pile also, thanks chrissy

[vodkafan]

Hi infinity,

 

welcome. I think "Affluenza" by Oliver James would be very interesting for you to read. The book impressed me very much. Not about technology as such, but still I think up your street.

[Coffin Nail]

If you like No Logo then I'd recommend Culture of Fear by Barry Glassner.

 

Naomi Klein's Fences and Windows is a sort of appendix to No Logo, its the articles and research she did for No Logo but couldn't fit into the original book.

[Roland Butter]

Not normally my preferred sort of reading, this type of stuff, but a few years back I read Eric Schlosser's Fast Food. If you've ever been misguided enough to contribute to the profits of McDonalds, KFC or Burger King in the past, you won't after you've read this.

Edited July 12, 2010 by Roland Butter
Just noticed a typo - aaaarrrgghhh

[Ooshie]

I read Small is Beautiful by E F Schumacher years ago, and it had quite an effect on me; not a new book though, I'm afraid, it was first published in 1973.

 

Blurb

 

Small is Beautiful looks at the economic structure of the Western world in a revolutionary way. For Dr Schumacher maintains that Man's current pursuit of profit and progress, which promotes giant organisations and increased specialisation, has in fact resulted in gross economic inefficiency, environmental pollution and inhumane working conditions. Dr Schumacher challenges the doctrine of economic, technological and scientific specialisation and proposes a system of Intermediate Technology, based on smaller working units, communal ownership, and regional workplaces utilising local labour and resources. With the emphasis on the person not the product, Small is Beautiful points the way to a world in which Capital serves Man instead of Man remaining a slave to Capital.

[infinity]

Thanks ooshie

I tend to have a thing for 60's/70's publications, I'll definitely check it out..thanks for the blurb.

[~Andrea~]

The Hidden Persuaders by Vance Packard, explores psychological techniques in advertising. I haven't read it myself though I intended to for a long time. It was written in the fifties, so I'm not sure how much is still relevant, probably a fair amount I would guess.

 

ETA: Oops sorry, just read the OP again, you're looking for contemporary books. That's teach me to skin-read

Edited July 16, 2010 by ~Andrea~

[infinity]

Thanks Andrea, even though I'm looking for contemporary books I tend to fall back on earlier stuff. cheers

[ethan]

I second the Vance Packard recommendation. I read some of his books growing up, they had a deep effect on how I view the world around me, very prophetic on the insidious influences of modern technologies. I would guess still very relevant.

 

I gave up TV three years ago, except for the occasional sporting event, never regretted it, it's easier to do when you live alone, granted, I think I'm much more contented without it, and it got me reading books again which is much more rewarding. Whenever I visit someone who has TV on all the time, I always think " how quaint ", after a couple of commercials I'm ready to scream, after the local news I'm running to my car.