Neil Postman on the Magic of Writing

„People like ourselves may see nothing wondrous in writing, but our anthropologists know how strange and magical it appears to a purely oral people - a conversation with no one and yet with everyone. What could be stranger than the silence one encounters when addressing a question to a text? What could be more metaphysically puzzling than addressing an unseen audience, as every writer of books must do? And correcting oneself because one knows that an unknown reader will disapprove or misunderstand?“

Neil PostmanNeil Postman reflects on the magical effect of writing on oral cultures and the puzzling relation to the unseen audience.
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Neil Postman was an American media theorist, author, and educator known for his critiques of mass media, especially television, and its effects on society.

A reflection on the strange and magical nature of writing and reading, especially compared to oral communication.


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Neil Postman quote about the wonder and mystery of writing for unseen readers

Neil Postman (1931–2003) was an American media theorist, cultural critic, and author. He taught communication at New York University and is best known for his books on media criticism such as "Amusing Ourselves to Death," in which he analyzes the impact of television on public communication and education.

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