Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology

Neil Postman

11/1/1999

The human society has become very scientific and technological. Each new advance (whether it is the first use of writing in history or the newest medical advance or computer) has affected how people live. In the last century technology has also affected human relations and sociology.

Postman points out that true science can prove statements totally wrong with its testing. That is not possible in human sociology. It is impossible to do any sort of testing that will prove all people will react a certain way under given conditions. It is impossible to prove what people want or are looking for using polls.

No matter what tests are tried, conditions always change. How I may react to a situation on one day could be very different than on another. And my beliefs and culture will color my reactions at all times. Polls can never be objective. Although they are multiple choice, the way a question is worded can change the perceived meaning, thus changing an answer.

Thoughts are provoked throughout this text. Science and scientific study cannot be the total structure of our thoughts. We have to allow history, opinions, and other people's thoughts to help shape our beliefs. Religion (of some belief or another) is necessary to help teach our morals and ethics. While our technological growth is impressive, we should not let it take over our lives, forgetting the human spirit.

I picked this book up on the basis of the title. I found it fascinating. My first step after putting down the finished book was to get online at my local library and reserve one of the texts listed in the bibliography.

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