Borgmann, the creator of the device paradigm discusses the device as, “fatally debilitating tendency in the present role of technology” (4). In this way Borgmann is opening up the idea that technology gives us a promise that is both positive and negative. The ability of the technology to both provide a burden free world while also leaving the same world lonely and separated is unique. The majority of the technology today creates the burden free and independent world many individuals care to experience. However, much of technology either simultaneously separates or exclusively separates individuals, and can also create further issues that need to be resolved. One technological component we have available today is the television.
Television resembles a past activity. As Borgmann describes, technology: now mimics the great breakthroughs of the past, assuring us that it is an imposition to have to open a garage door, walk behind a lawn mower, or wait twenty minutes for a frozen dinner to be ready (140). Television has moved the ability for individuals to experience performances to a past age. Audiences used to wait for hours to be entertained or watch productions of Rigoletto, Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, or Oedipus Rex. The audience would fill the sits and watch with interest as each of the actors enveloped their character. The Audience would even participate in the production, often laughing, crying, or jeering for the characters. The feedback from the audience assisted in the actor’s performance. When an actor was completely embodying a caricature, the audience would hang onto every word. The audience would be so enveloped in the performance they would often cry or laugh along with the actors. Not only was the audience getting emotionally involved in the performances, but the audience would be in front on the performance. The Globe Theater where Shakespeare produced many of his plays had seating not just in balconies surrounding the stage but also immediately in front of the stage. The audience was so close to the actors they could touch hands. In the case that an actor was giving a poor performance he, it was all males in this time period, would be heckled offstage and replaced by another actor. The ability for an individual to have the ability to completely experience and be an integral part of a performance is unique. Television removes this ability to interact with the actors and gain a full body experience. The audience has resigned himself or herself to an automated movement of television on, sit and absorb, and television off. The audience has not interaction with the actors. As Borgmann states, “But it is an entirely parasitic feeling that feeds off the disappearance of toil” …show more content…
Borgmann explains, “If television is in fact so typical of technological culture and of consumption, the common attitude toward it may explain why technological leisure keeps us both enthralled and unhappy” (142). Friends and family shun away from television. It is considered taboo to state how many hours of television is watched within the household each night. We become mournful of our lost traditions and practices longing to hold onto the past as much as possible, but we continue to allow the television to dominate and dictate our lives. Entire rooms are designated within the home for family viewing. Television programs are programed at meal times to gain the highest views, thus tearing families away from the family dinner table. Even though the television is seen as culturally degrading, it remains because it continues to promise …show more content…
A study conducted in 2008 by William Benoit of the University of Missouri-Columbia found the level of negativity in presidential television campaign ads is increasing every campaign season (William Benoit). The study found that in ads from 1952-2004 the candidates averaged 40 percent personal attacks in the television ads. In the 2008 presidential election, Obama average 68 percent negative ads and McCain averaged 62 percent negative ads. This illustrates something the television is doing to our culture that is not easily seen. Our culture is becoming more cut off from each other. In other words our culture is becoming more individualistic. The television is an avenue to attack others about something that bothers the individual. No individual is physically hurt in the attack, right? The attacks are to the point where the amount of negativity poisons the individuals doing the attacking and the underlying
Television resembles a past activity. As Borgmann describes, technology: now mimics the great breakthroughs of the past, assuring us that it is an imposition to have to open a garage door, walk behind a lawn mower, or wait twenty minutes for a frozen dinner to be ready (140). Television has moved the ability for individuals to experience performances to a past age. Audiences used to wait for hours to be entertained or watch productions of Rigoletto, Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, or Oedipus Rex. The audience would fill the sits and watch with interest as each of the actors enveloped their character. The Audience would even participate in the production, often laughing, crying, or jeering for the characters. The feedback from the audience assisted in the actor’s performance. When an actor was completely embodying a caricature, the audience would hang onto every word. The audience would be so enveloped in the performance they would often cry or laugh along with the actors. Not only was the audience getting emotionally involved in the performances, but the audience would be in front on the performance. The Globe Theater where Shakespeare produced many of his plays had seating not just in balconies surrounding the stage but also immediately in front of the stage. The audience was so close to the actors they could touch hands. In the case that an actor was giving a poor performance he, it was all males in this time period, would be heckled offstage and replaced by another actor. The ability for an individual to have the ability to completely experience and be an integral part of a performance is unique. Television removes this ability to interact with the actors and gain a full body experience. The audience has resigned himself or herself to an automated movement of television on, sit and absorb, and television off. The audience has not interaction with the actors. As Borgmann states, “But it is an entirely parasitic feeling that feeds off the disappearance of toil” …show more content…
Borgmann explains, “If television is in fact so typical of technological culture and of consumption, the common attitude toward it may explain why technological leisure keeps us both enthralled and unhappy” (142). Friends and family shun away from television. It is considered taboo to state how many hours of television is watched within the household each night. We become mournful of our lost traditions and practices longing to hold onto the past as much as possible, but we continue to allow the television to dominate and dictate our lives. Entire rooms are designated within the home for family viewing. Television programs are programed at meal times to gain the highest views, thus tearing families away from the family dinner table. Even though the television is seen as culturally degrading, it remains because it continues to promise …show more content…
A study conducted in 2008 by William Benoit of the University of Missouri-Columbia found the level of negativity in presidential television campaign ads is increasing every campaign season (William Benoit). The study found that in ads from 1952-2004 the candidates averaged 40 percent personal attacks in the television ads. In the 2008 presidential election, Obama average 68 percent negative ads and McCain averaged 62 percent negative ads. This illustrates something the television is doing to our culture that is not easily seen. Our culture is becoming more cut off from each other. In other words our culture is becoming more individualistic. The television is an avenue to attack others about something that bothers the individual. No individual is physically hurt in the attack, right? The attacks are to the point where the amount of negativity poisons the individuals doing the attacking and the underlying