Technological Progress and Consumer Perspective – Neil Postman

„We had learned how to invent things, and the question of why we invent things receded in importance. The idea that if something could be done it should be done was born in the nineteenth century. And along with it, there developed a profound belief in all the principles through which invention succeeds: objectivity, efficiency, expertise, standardization, measurement, and progress. It also came to be believed that the engine of technological progress worked most efficiently when people are conceived of not as children of God or even as citizens but as consumers-that is to say, as markets.“

Neil PostmanNeil Postman reflects on how technological progress and consumer mindset shape views on people and inventions.
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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.

This excerpt highlights ethical questions behind technological inventions and the shift in viewing people as consumers.


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Neil Postman quote about technological progress, invention, and the consumer perspective

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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