I thought Amusing Ourselves to Death was really interesting. I almost agree with it, but I reject his basic thesis that the medium so rigidly defines the form o

I thought Amusing Ourselves to Death was really interesting. I almost agree with it, but I reject his basic thesis that the medium so rigidly defines the form of content. It was written in the 80s, and he seems to say that television shows and broadcast news, as they existed in the 80s, are the only way way for video to exist (namely, episodic TV shows and news made of short and jarring cuts). I basically agree that that format is less intellectually sophisticated than longer forms, but I don't think that form is limited by the television set. As time has passed and "television" is a more amorphous concept, maybe that is clearer. But that short, attention-getting format is driven by profit, especially ad revenue. I think one only needs to watch a good documentary to challenge the author's central thesis. But I think a lot of the book actually holds up well and can be mapped onto streaming and social media. I think it pairs well with Manufacturing Consent.