A Bridge to the 18th Century Essay - 727 Words

Building a Bridge to the Eighteenth Century By: Neil Postman Neil Postman identifies himself as a neo-Luddite. What bothers Postman most is the fact that the great innovators of this time have no frame of reference other than their own experience, and that experience is only that of the 20th century. Advocates of trends such as information superhighways and economic globalization appear to know nothing of history, philosophy and culture; they live digitally in the hollow present. Postman assesses different ideas in each chapter: Chaper One: A Bridge to the Eighteenth Century Postman heralds the accomplishments of personalities of the 18th Century, including Goethe, Voltaire, Rousseau, Diderot, Kant, Hume, Gibbon,†¦show more content†¦Chapter Six: Narratives Postman states that the narratives of the 20th and 21st centuries should not cause us to view prior narratives and philosophies in a derogatory or condescending light. Quoting Niels Bohr, Postman writes, The opposite of a correct statement is an incorrect statement. The opposite of a profound truth is another profound truth. Postman says that we should consider the values of other cultures and eras vision of Truth to make true progress and attain true wisdom. Chapter Seven: Children Postman stresses the importance of a childhood, a concept that Postman thinks is disappearing from our culture. Chapter Eight: Democracy Basically reiterating some themes from his chapter on language and also highlighting the works of Rousseau and Tocqueville, Postman emphasizes that we should acknowledge that democracy is an idea that is ever- changing. He also examines the effects of TV and other technological advances on the publics view of democracy. Chapter Nine: Education Postman criticizes modern American concepts of education, claiming that the facts, history, and critical thinking that is encouraged in schools does not allow for our children to be fully educated. Postman offers five suggestions for a complete reform of American schools, including courses in questioning,Show MoreRelateda bridge to the 18th century715 Words   |  3 Pages Building a Bridge to the Eighteenth Neil Postman identifies himself as a â€Å"neo-Luddite†. What bothers Postman most is the fact that the great innovators of this time have no frame of reference other than their own experience, and that experience is only that of the 20th century. Advocates of trends such as information superhighways and economic globalization appear to know nothing of history, philosophy and culture; they live digitally in the hollow present. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;PostmanRead MoreWith 7,000 registered historic buildings standing as testimony to its rich architectural heritage,1300 Words   |  6 Pagesin the organic development of modern architecture. The Canal Rings are one of the most prominent features of Amsterdam’s architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Listed site. They are essentially a concentric ring of canals built during the 17th century and have since been the icons of urban planning and architecture. The concentric rings were extended outward to accommodate the growing needs of the city as well as drain the swampland. These Canal Rings were lined by the residences of wealthy merchantsRead More Technology In The Industrial Revolution Essay1174 Words   |  5 Pagesproduction. 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However, for all of its popularity, it still wasnt an art form that appealed to the masses. The librettos were usually ancient Greek or Roman in origin or based on some sort of obscure, heroic tale. Although the opera buffa,