Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
46th out of 117 books
—
192 voters
Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television
by
Jerry Mander
A total departure from previous writing about television, this book is the first ever to advocate that the medium is not reformable. Its problems are inherent in the technology itself and are so dangerous -- to personal health and sanity, to the environment, and to democratic processes -- that TV ought to be eliminated forever.
Weaving personal experiences through meticulou...more
Weaving personal experiences through meticulou...more
Paperback, 376 pages
Published
March 1st 1978
by William Morrow Paperbacks
(first published 1977)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
1,317)
A few ideas were so surprising that I had to put the book down and think about them for a while before I could read on.
Even though it was written thirty years ago, not a word has dated. Mander unwittingly analyzed not just television, but all electronic media, the ambient tech environment that we're in like fish in water. Even if you disagree with the title, his mode of thinking about how mass media work is so original that the book is worth it.
Unpretentious, nimble, broad-minded, and astonishin...more
Even though it was written thirty years ago, not a word has dated. Mander unwittingly analyzed not just television, but all electronic media, the ambient tech environment that we're in like fish in water. Even if you disagree with the title, his mode of thinking about how mass media work is so original that the book is worth it.
Unpretentious, nimble, broad-minded, and astonishin...more
11 likes · like · see review
view all 3 comments
the classic anti-tv book, well written and convincing. not merely a "television makes you stupid" diatribe, but rather a logical, compelling, researched argument against the medium and its effects on personal health, mental well-being, environment, and democracy. questions whether technology can ever really be inherently "neutral." probably more important now than when it was written three decades ago.
"television: a medium - so called because it is neither rare nor well done." ~ernie kovacs
"i wi...more
"television: a medium - so called because it is neither rare nor well done." ~ernie kovacs
"i wi...more
6 likes · like · see review
Jul 18, 2010
Mark Singer
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone interested in the effects of television on people
Recommended to Mark by:
no one
Shelves:
technology
I read this many years ago and need to do so again. Jerry Mander was a successful advertising executive who quit the business in the early 70's and tried to make a difference. In this book, he makes a strong case against television. Sounds crazy?
In my opinion, his arguments about the diminished capacity to reason, the harmful effects of artificial light, the narrowing of experience, the inherent biases and the one-way nature of the medium still hold up. I would have given the book more than 4 s...more
In my opinion, his arguments about the diminished capacity to reason, the harmful effects of artificial light, the narrowing of experience, the inherent biases and the one-way nature of the medium still hold up. I would have given the book more than 4 s...more
At times certain people display a sincerity and a congruence with their deepest beliefs that is truly amazing. And often this state is combined with a simplicity of presentation. And the cynical among us might be inclined to laugh. Test yourself on this point if you like. See this video of Fred Rogers testifying before the US Senate: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a41lJI...
Did you laugh at him at any point? Think he was silly or goofy or a pansy? How did you feel at the end of his speech?
This bo...more
Did you laugh at him at any point? Think he was silly or goofy or a pansy? How did you feel at the end of his speech?
This bo...more
Where do I start? My whole life I have been a TV addict. My mother used to advise me strongly against it, but I would never listen. Recently I vowed not to watch TV. I was doing well, only watching when visiting others who were watching it. After reading this book I am bound and determined to never watch it again. I am not easily swayed, but Mr. Mander's arguments are true and to the point. He talks about the effects of the ingestion of artificial light, to the hyperactivity of children, to the...more
1 like · like · see review
I'd almost say this book was transformative, but I suspect I was already on the path towards eliminating television from my life. Mander's arguments provided justification, but the pandering idiocy of most of the stuff on the airwaves was already sufficient. At this point, I haven't watched a significant amount of television in about ten years -- I did enjoy some of the first season of West Wing at a girlfriend's place, but since then there's only been the sporadic Simpsons show once or twice a...more
Loved it! It took me forever to read, because I had to read a bit, talk about it incessantly to anyone who would listen, digest it for a bit, then read some more. Although I first picked it up because it's written by Jerry Mander (which I thought had to be a pseudonym, but apparently not), it's certainly one of my favorite books that I've read for a long time. Even though it's from 1977, I still find all of his points to be relevant, and even more so after the introduction of the Internet and th...more
well after reading this book there alot of ideas not just 4 arguments, but even more there are arguments inside arguments.I liked the book.but i think its a book that you cant be read it all in one sitting you have to space it out. so you can understand it even more then. the book Four arguments of the elimination of t.v has 4 arguments through out the book and its not really a story its more of a personal view on the elimination of TV. the arguments he gives that i agree with is how much TV an...more
Jerry was just getting started here, but this book sets the tone for his later writings. Thoughtful, well argued, and starting from a clarity of purpose that most others shy away from. He isn't saying that we need more public television, more educational programs. He says the technology itself is flawed and is irredeemable. And if you read the book, you will be hard pressed not to agree with him.
He goes on to explore how technologies are not essentially neutral in "In the Absence of the Sacred",...more
He goes on to explore how technologies are not essentially neutral in "In the Absence of the Sacred",...more
I know - people read the title and say "as if!" (and yes, I do watch television, though fairly rarely and mostly on DVR/DVD)
Such food for thought. He suggests that TV narrows our world, it changes our way of thinking to a floating, passive way, it is run only by a few corporations (therefore they are choosing what we should see), it's full of advertising which again subverts our thinking (though DVR and even recording shows has taken the bite out of that), it contributes to the obesity of our na...more
Such food for thought. He suggests that TV narrows our world, it changes our way of thinking to a floating, passive way, it is run only by a few corporations (therefore they are choosing what we should see), it's full of advertising which again subverts our thinking (though DVR and even recording shows has taken the bite out of that), it contributes to the obesity of our na...more
First of all, I should point out that I have not eliminated television from my life.
Nevertheless, this is a truly remarkable book. Funny: I first bought it way way back, and gave it to an instructor I had in a broadcasting class. I thought I was being ironic and funny. Then, before giving it to her, I flipped through it – wound up buying a second copy for myself.
The technology has changed a lot since this book first appeared in the 1970s, but I think its arguments remain valid.
Author Mander neve...more
Nevertheless, this is a truly remarkable book. Funny: I first bought it way way back, and gave it to an instructor I had in a broadcasting class. I thought I was being ironic and funny. Then, before giving it to her, I flipped through it – wound up buying a second copy for myself.
The technology has changed a lot since this book first appeared in the 1970s, but I think its arguments remain valid.
Author Mander neve...more
1/ I bought this book because of both the title and the authors name, which local politics have made slightly humorous.
2/ The book is now outdated in many respects, published in the late 70's, well before most western houses had computers and the internet.
3/ He raises very good points though that are still relevent today. What a simple way of influencing so many people who choose to sit and absorb without critically thinking about the information presented to them.
4/ This is a book I pick up r...more
2/ The book is now outdated in many respects, published in the late 70's, well before most western houses had computers and the internet.
3/ He raises very good points though that are still relevent today. What a simple way of influencing so many people who choose to sit and absorb without critically thinking about the information presented to them.
4/ This is a book I pick up r...more
I love television and I love this book. The point about it is that it objectifies the experience of watching and actually allowed me to go ahead and love TV. Yes, it may have some dated arguments in it, but it lays down a fundamental questioning of an act most of us do every day.
Incredibly fascinating, well-written and reasoned book about the problems with television. Like the author, I haven't stopped watching television (not entirely, anyway), but this book really challenged me to think about television differently. Highly recommended to everyone.
I picked up this book because I'd seen it referenced a few places, but it hasn't aged well since it first hit the presses in 1978. Not too far into the book he questions the need for scientific research that yields 'obvious' results like 'cheese is the best bait for mice' and 'breast milk is better than formula,' and he kind of loses me from there. These results are pretty predictable, yes, but to close them off from inquiry is to embrace pseudoscience (and he does in his discussion of TV's effe...more
Of the four arguments, I found the fourth (The Inherent Biases of Television) the most interesting. I think that all four arguments are relevant to television today, but also to other forms of media that were not in existence at the time of his writing. We had already given up television prior to reading this book, but up until this point I hadn't found any writing on it that went beyond the "TV makes you stupid and violent" idea. There have been a few technological advances that make some parts...more
I can't remember specifically what the arguments were, but I remember they were good ones. Taught me about why televisions no good.
Jul 28, 2008
Valerie
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommended to Valerie by:
Marcia
Shelves:
tv-made-me-do-it,
hell-in-a-handbasket
If only I were stronger, I would heed these arguments. But I am weak, my TV stays. I blame Joss Whedon.
I read this book years ago, before television had finished consuming the United States (as it has now), and I thought it was brilliant way back then.
I think it's even more brilliant now, because Mander saw what was coming.
Here's the thing--we all know that TV is full of worthless, mindless pap and crap. That much is obvious.
What isn't so obvious is that the very structure of television is insidious in replacing 'real' reality with mediated TV-reality.
It ain't the same,and he saw it coming. T...more
I think it's even more brilliant now, because Mander saw what was coming.
Here's the thing--we all know that TV is full of worthless, mindless pap and crap. That much is obvious.
What isn't so obvious is that the very structure of television is insidious in replacing 'real' reality with mediated TV-reality.
It ain't the same,and he saw it coming. T...more
When I think of my favorite books, this book instantly comes to mind. It covers the main reasons why television is the main problem in our society and why it's elimination is essential to our survival. It is from the 90s so it deserves a revisit to see if things are still holding true, but this book resonated so well with me when I read it. It felt like the author was expressing the idea more thoughtfully than I could with my own words and reinforcing my ideas with new ideas. I highly recommend...more
I read this book probably 30 years ago and found it to be such an eye opener. I didn't have a TV for years after reading this, but, alas, did have one while my kids were growing up. However, because of this book I think I was able to make them aware of some of the insidious methods used regarding advertizing and mind numbing constantly bombarding them from the glowing tube.
They are now, I am proud to say, all avid readers and learners and none of them blind consumers. Thank you Gerry Mander for...more
They are now, I am proud to say, all avid readers and learners and none of them blind consumers. Thank you Gerry Mander for...more
the book caught my eye after I had been to see a movie at the theater. I haven't consistently watched TV for about a decade (I've got better things to do) and therefore am not "up-to-date" on the latest and greatest. While watching the pre-movie ads, I laughed out loud at the absurdity and flat-out lies of advertizing. And yet, I didn't even have to leave the room to see the effects of those ads. Brainwashing is absolutely the correct term. If you're up for questioning the "norm" and reclaiming...more
Aug 03, 2009
tENTATIVELY, cONVENIENCE
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
EVERYONE - especially in the TV industry
As I've written elsewhere, probably in the Cognitive Dissidents Group, I put off reading this for 30 yrs. It came out in 1978 & I'd already stopped watching TV in 1969 or 1970 - one of the best decisions I ever made in my life, if I do say! Of course, saying that I "stopped watching TV" is, sadly, not as true as I'd like it to be given that there's usually a TV on in whatever laundromat I go to, in the bars I go to, etc.. There was even talk for a while of putting TVs on buses here in Pittsb...more
1 like · like · see review
I could give this a hundred stars if I could. Even though written by a Jew, this book really gives deep insight on how television impacts our lives negatively. A couple of spots are difficult to read but after reading this book it was hard for me to watch television for at least a couple of months. It just didn't make sense to me. It still doesn't but the idiot box has lured me in every now and then. After reading this book, you will look at TV in a whole different "light".
One of my favorite books, simultaneously wonky and soulful. Mander has a powerful point of view and activist agenda, and even though I still watch TV, I think about this book often. His arguments are as much about people's (lack of) relationship to nature as about television in particular, and his observation that some forms of technology are practically destined to harm us, based on their design, has stayed with me over the years.
I read this book in my early 20s, roughly 25 years ago, and its haunting imprint still remains. Having always regarded TV since reading Mander's arguments as nonessential and distortion inducing. I'm not completely repugnant to the glowing box and will occasionally watch a show here or there. The book influenced me enough that I find TV a poor choice for flitting away time and would rather immerse in my own experience.
This was probably the most interesting book I've read this year. While I don't always agree with the author and he operates on some belief systems I don't share - he also makes a lot of very valid observations. This book brings up some very thought provoking issues regarding television and its effect on us and I'd highly recommend it. But bring your brain along! It's not "mindless" reading.
Just guessing on the date on this one... I read it sometime in college after finding it at an independent bookstore on Ludlow Street in Cincinnati. Mander's arguments, couched in milieu of the 1970s, are forcefully presented and often convincing. I would be interested to see an updated version taking into account the Internet...
If you have read this book and you haven't analyzed the effects that TV has on your brain, you clearly have some problems!
I don't honestly expect this to make anyone stop watching television completely, but it should cause them to think about how they are being brainwashed.
Any book that is 35 years old and still relevant is a keeper!
I don't honestly expect this to make anyone stop watching television completely, but it should cause them to think about how they are being brainwashed.
Any book that is 35 years old and still relevant is a keeper!
Oct 28, 2007
Robyn
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
the easily amused and potential Luddites
As some other reviewers have mentioned, this book is quite outdated... humorously in fact. My favorite outdated moments were when he mentioned statistics on television pixels and the differences between B&W and color TVs. So quaint.
But it's a fun book to peruse nonetheless. It's interesting to see a former advertiser take such a staunch stance against one of the primary vehicles at his disposal. It's also interesting to hear his perspective now that we know how miserably his argument failed....more
But it's a fun book to peruse nonetheless. It's interesting to see a former advertiser take such a staunch stance against one of the primary vehicles at his disposal. It's also interesting to hear his perspective now that we know how miserably his argument failed....more
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“The program is only the excuse to get you to watch the advertising. Without the ads there would be no programs. Advertising is the true content of television and if it does not remain so, then advertisers will cease to support the medium, and television will cease to exist as the popular entertainment it presently is.”
—
6 people liked it
More quotes…
