In this utterly original look at our modern "culture of performance," de Zengotita shows how media are creating self-reflective environments, cust...
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reviews
Dec 29, 2008
Frank
rated it: 
He's best on the typologies of the real (19-20); from "real real" to "edited real real" to "staged observed real repeated" and beyond.
More valuable points:
"The best way to achieve the insulational state of numbness is to be swamped with routine activities." (186)
Habit "in a mediated adulthood that dims down the horizon of options through immersion in a numbing routine allows many of us to feel relatively real." More...
More valuable points:
"The best way to achieve the insulational state of numbness is to be swamped with routine activities." (186)
Habit "in a mediated adulthood that dims down the horizon of options through immersion in a numbing routine allows many of us to feel relatively real." More...
Sep 17, 2010
John
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This was a frustrating book. It is built around an essay he wrote which I thought was excellent. He should have left it at that. There were many gems in this book, but it was poorly argued, almost incoherent, unfocused, and most importantly--pointless. He states in clear terms that the Christian worldview is nonsense and those that follow it are delusional or victims of habit. He never states why any of it matters. What does it matter how people interact with the world if there is no ultim
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Nov 21, 2010
Rachel
rated it:
Even though author chose to write in a style that sounds something like Tommy Chong's character in That 70's Show, he makes a lot of really interesting and well thought out points. It was especially interesting to see how the author's own understanding of this complex aspect of our lives unfolded through his years of study of real people and philosophy. I would recommend this book to anyone, but especially to parents as it basically puts to rest the question of how involved in media kids shoul
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Dec 05, 2010
itpdx
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I read this book because I heard this interview of Adrian Grenier http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story... about his documentary, Teenage Paparazzo, about a 13 year-old paparazzo taking pictures of him (Grenier). Grenier refers to this book and says that it shaped his views on media. I thought the book might explain why people want to know everything about celebrities. De Zengotita doesn't explain why people want to know but does explain why they feel entitled to the information--basically,
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Jan 21, 2010
Shan
rated it: 
I picked up this book thinking it would provide a truthful look at how our culture's media obsession is impacting our lives. I knew I was in trouble when in the first chapter I read:
At least in the blue states?! Ok, a mild dig at conservatives. I should come to expect this from an author like de Zengotita, whose existence doesn't expand beyond the socialistic walls of a More...
But most people are cool with (having tons of options to exercise at will). At least in the blue states.
At least in the blue states?! Ok, a mild dig at conservatives. I should come to expect this from an author like de Zengotita, whose existence doesn't expand beyond the socialistic walls of a More...
Dec 26, 2008
Derrick
rated it:
What I liked best about this book is the author's synthesizing ability - his ability to combine multiple other critiques of the media into this book. "Utterly original" etc. are descriptions of this book - and I'd say that's mostly accurate. His concept of the "flattered self" is at the root of his criticisms of the media. But, is this book a work of criticism? Does it provide solutions? Not really! The author's entertaining style occasionally comes off as smug and too cynica
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Jul 02, 2009
Willa
rated it:
changed my awareness of the way we have all been mediated... and duped and dummed down and made into narcissists and don't even realise (and happily comply). It's terrifying but true! A must-read for whoever wants to know the truth.
My only point is that it is written from a rather pessimistic point of view, leaving one anxious and worried (and reminding me of my father) rather than finding new ways forward to rebuild our sanity and values in a radically changed environment and consciousnes
My only point is that it is written from a rather pessimistic point of view, leaving one anxious and worried (and reminding me of my father) rather than finding new ways forward to rebuild our sanity and values in a radically changed environment and consciousnes
Jan 07, 2011
Jason
rated it:
A examination of how advertising, movies, and 24 hours news channels have conditioned us all to feel like the center of the universe. There are really good points in this book. The central premise itself is very interesting and likely true--solipsism seems to be the common trait of the modern human being. The only real problem with this book is that the incredibly long winded writing style makes everything extremely tedious.
Dec 16, 2009
Maryrobin
rated it: 
My husband actually read this book and has read portions aloud to me. I am very impressed by the ideas and am anxious to read it, though I must be in the non-fiction agenda mood, as opposed to the current poetic mood I am in. Basically, we are told how to think by media. Aron and I got rid of our tv in the garage after this (it's totally gone now). And I stopped buying magazines. I still read the newspaper and am on the internet though, it does feel a bit easier to control there. Anyway, g
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Jul 31, 2009
Mike
rated it: 
I didn't understand half of what the author was saying. The writing was often pedanic and ostentatious (and very funny at times). Frequently, I didn't know what the examples and anecdotes were supposed to illustrate. Everything de Zengotita says is pure conjecture. But I loved the book anyway. I've read and thought a lot about the media and how it shapes our views of the world and ourselves, so I apprectiate a book that makes the suject new for me, so appreciative that I think I'll reread th
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May 08, 2011
Cameron
rated it:
Exhausting and breathless, but still interesting commentary on how saturated our lives are with mass media; there are a few particularly damning read-out-loud sections that point out the absurdities in our media-infused lives. I felt a lot of this same subject matter was better and more concisely expressed in Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance 30 years prior; what Robert M. Pirsig wrote in his first chapter, de Zengotita extrapolated to an entire book.
Jan 23, 2009
Aaron
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An excellent book exploring the cumulative effect that mass media (or perhaps any experience-mediating institution) have had on our experience, especially in the past 400 years. I expected this to be a commentary on institutions of mass media and public opinion, or something along those lines. Instead the book is far more ambitious and does an excellent job of showing how deep the effects of media go into our personal lives.
De Zengotita does an excellent job to keep it interesting ( More...
De Zengotita does an excellent job to keep it interesting ( More...
May 14, 2007
Jared
rated it:
Simply put (perhaps too simply), this book is about the media and its effects - but it is also about something more fundamental. This book is the most clear expression (or demonstration) of what it means to say we live in "the postmodern era." There has been a lot of books written on what "postmodernism" means, and most of them are lofty academic expositions that speak to only a select few. This book speaks to everyone and says some very thoughtful things about what it means
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Dec 16, 2009
Kailin
rated it:
While it's just a lot of pontificating how how culture is changing as modes of representation change, De Zengotita does it better than anyone else. He manages to put out pretty complicated, critical-theory-related thoughts while sounding brilliantly casual. Sometimes it's annoying but most of the time it works. This book is mostly a collaboration of Harper's articles, with the gaps filled in - so sometimes you feel like he's trying to provide transitions he's not comfortable with. While all the
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Jan 05, 2008
Peter
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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May 02, 2010
Jessica
rated it:
Less didactic than Postman, more plainspoken than McLuhan, and definitely on to something.
Dec 23, 2007
Marci
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This book, from the cover seems to have an interesting premise, however due to the disjointed writing style and disorganization of the book, I'm not really sure what the book is trying to say. Something negative about the media I suppose. Something about how nobody is actually "real" because we are all constantly acting. And about how fast-paced the world is and how stressed out we are. The books writing seems to reflect this, as I felt very stressed from trying to follow the writing!
Apr 15, 2011
Braden
rated it:
This is a great primer on media theory and the sociology of mass media. De Zengotita draws a lot from Neil Postman and Christopher Lasch but draws less nefarious conclusions than both. This would be a great complimentary text for any media ecology, psychology or sociology class geared towards understanding social networking, propaganda, or mass media.
Sep 19, 2008
Amy
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Working my way through this book. It's an insightful commentary that makes you see the world in a new light. Oftentimes, it does ramble, and the thought-path is not always clearest, but if you're willing to make the conceptual jump at the start, the book's continuity matters less, as the individual anecdotes begin to shine through instead.
Aug 12, 2008
lbh.
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the book isn't uninteresting, but also isn't anywhere near exhaustive in its analysis--i think the author'ss arm-chair critiquing what he sees around him, rather than advancing any seriously developed theories. i liked the introduction, though, and his theory of "optionality" defining virtual experience. but not enough to finish the book.
Aug 23, 2008
DJ
rated it:
De Zengotita's analysis of modern culture through the lens of "flattery" and media focus is interesting, if unoriginal. He's prose is, generally, solid, but his research is severely lacking. This is more a philosophical treatise than a solid work of rhetoric, which does both the author and the material a disservice.
Jun 01, 2010
Ann
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This book is like a key to a door in my brain that I prefer to keep shut. Mind-blowing every time I read it.
Jul 06, 2008
Elizabeth
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I'm having trouble getting through this book. But I will finish--one day. The cover/title look so great, but the actual text is somewhat dry so far.
Aug 22, 2011
Josh
rated it:
Eh. A lot of wading through his attempts at sounding hip and too cool for his subject to get to the nuggets which he writes about.
Jan 19, 2008
Christopher
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i liked the forward and the first chapter...then i think he became a little too far-out and rambly. i put it down. anyone want a copy?
Jan 01, 2008
Henry
rated it:
Very well written. Interesting and compelling arguments regarding postmodern lifestyle choices and identity
Jul 13, 2008
Sasha
rated it:
Pop existentialism. We are all method actors now. My wife got tired of hearing me talk about this book.
