So I have to write an essay on how television influences our view on American history. Any pointers?
Television has changed our sense of history in general. We are more immediately aware of events happening in the world, as they happen.
However, sound bites and rapid-fire images are not enough. We also need in-depth analysis and criticism, and debate of the issues raised by events. Television does not always provide these things.
Television can distort our sense of history as well. Some people criticize the American media for not being critical enough of the Bush administration and the war in Iraq. The mood of anger and fear after 9/11 also dictated the slant of television news (CNN, for example).
Any source of historical information must be objective and unbiased to be truly useful. Failing that, we need to find alternative sources to balance inherent biases.
Hope this helps!
Look into television and the Vietnam War. It made a lot of people very much against the war.
References :
http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=kmpYUSYLD8MC&oi=fnd&pg=PA3&dq=Vietnam+war+television&ots=_VA4UCNlCV&sig=JG5ipquxkC62NywLfbIRQIEhwNg#PPP1,M1
http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=3oRzVQX4wLYC&oi=fnd&pg=PP11&dq=Vietnam+war+television&ots=Ia-5u3ozyi&sig=kMp0uknECtrFoU8ELS0RmTsOgVI#PPP1,M1
it is repetitive to the point you no longer learn what is normal as apposed to what is abnormal
References :
Television has changed our sense of history in general. We are more immediately aware of events happening in the world, as they happen.
However, sound bites and rapid-fire images are not enough. We also need in-depth analysis and criticism, and debate of the issues raised by events. Television does not always provide these things.
Television can distort our sense of history as well. Some people criticize the American media for not being critical enough of the Bush administration and the war in Iraq. The mood of anger and fear after 9/11 also dictated the slant of television news (CNN, for example).
Any source of historical information must be objective and unbiased to be truly useful. Failing that, we need to find alternative sources to balance inherent biases.
Hope this helps!
References :