And There Was Television

First published in 1994, this book examines the extent to which television affects the people who watch it. Television is frequently blamed for increased violence, shortened attention spans, the decline of literacy and political indoctrination but here, the author argues that the biggest danger of television is how it encourages a consumer society.

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First published in 1994, this book examines the extent to which television affects the people who watch it. Television is frequently blamed for increased violence, shortened attention spans, the decline of literacy and political indoctrination. In this book, the author considers the theories and evidence against television and argues that much of the panic is unfounded. Instead, he asserts that the danger of television is that it is the central apparatus of consumer society. He states that the success of television is measured not in terms of the enjoyment we get from programs, but by how much money we spend as a result of watching them.