Technology and Society by Neil Postman 4/7

drapiher Says:

May 26, 2009 - hehe, he's so full of shit

elysiumsangel Says:

Aug 4, 2009 - While some of his ideas show great insight, sadly Neil Postman fails to grasp the importance of technology in schools. The "problems" addressed by introducing computers in schools are that workplaces demand computer literacy, and schools prepare young people for that future; and furthermore, computers and the internet improve the quality of education in ways that cannot be duplicated by simply increasing the number of teachers. It's about learning smarter - not just teaching more.

Popeonabomb Says:

Aug 5, 2009 - He doesn't fail to grasp that importance of technology in school setting. He isn't saying "Don't buy computers!" He is saying "Why are they not also spending money to improve the workload on teachers and the quality of teachers?"Spending $100 million on computers is not as affective as spending $50 million on teachers and $50 million on computers.Wreckless adoption is negligent.

mobilearn Says:

Aug 6, 2009 - No, Postman's opinion is clear. In his hypothetical at 2m37s, he suggests all $100m should have been spent on teachers, not internet access.Maryland's current education budget is $13.8 billion, and in a typical Maryland county, almost 90% of the budget is spent on teacher salaries.By contrast, $100m is <1% of Maryland's total education budget, and any school without internet access today would be seen as seriously disadvantaged. Postman was wrong - connecting schools to the internet is good.

dandiacal Says:

Aug 28, 2009 - Your response assumes that the (main) role of education is for preparation for a certain labor market. It is to have the market lead the schools as it were. But what about the education of the mind, the heart, or, indeed the spirit? The word "Smarter" in your case is merely an euphemism for more timely or fashionable learning.

Biesus Says:

Aug 30, 2009 - You're dumb.

giordanolahaderne Says:

Nov 5, 2009 - As has been pointed out, Mr. Postman is trying to express is that computers were touted as these things that would make education easier and more effective, when hiring more teachers would also have accomplished that goal. As a teacher, I disagree that computers are "essential" to a good education. Computer literacy has its place, but high school isn't job training, it's learning how to become a young adult and use your brain. We've done that just fine for millenia sans computers.

MadsterV Says:

Dec 23, 2009 - so the only computers are at the workplace?No. They're everywhere. This is not job training, it's life training. Are you willing to deny children the possibility of self-improvement that the net opens?

Pdrum2 Says:

Jan 27, 2010 - First of all if anyone learns anything at all on the internet (irregardless of whether its reliable or not) is nothing to do with teaching.

kidsdontfollow1 Says:

Feb 1, 2010 - no such word as irregardless ;)

wda013 Says:

May 29, 2010 - (3:50) " ...think, for example, how the words 'community' and 'conversation' are now employed by those who use the internet. " (!!!)

mistacramer Says:

Jul 10, 2010 - And this was BEFORE students started spending all their time on facebook, iTunes, instant messaging, etc.

TiberiusBrast Says:

Sep 7, 2010 - Some technology favors tyranny, others favor the masses. The new digital technology favors the masses, and it is what fuels the "multitude social revolution"Search "Multitude Project" for more...

TiberiusBrast Says:

Sep 30, 2010 - @datascatter you don't understand my point. If you read from the Multitude Project you will understand that I am not talking about computer specialists vs other specialists. I am talking about society in general, and about how new tools introduced can change the power structure. For instance the Blog. It favors the multitude, and it plays against the tyrant. Why? Because it is a tool anybody can use to disseminate information, exposing the tyranny.

spenglerX Says:

Nov 4, 2010 - Thats a stupid claim

TiberiusBrast Says:

Nov 4, 2010 - if you don't explain why your comment has no value at all

GabsVonTresckow Says:

Feb 2, 2011 - Huge Kudos to whomever put up this excellent video.

JustATheist Says:

Mar 29, 2011 - How do you know that Bill Gates sees this as stupidity? He didn't invent this to grab at people's souls, he invented the computer to open it. Your definition of Communication and your definition of community, not mine. Specialization is the way of the future, get over it. Source of this debate? I need sources. Otherwise its just an anecdote. To call a debate a 3 hour speech needs to be criticized... Its a preplanned essay and a preplanned rebutle. there is no candid opinion, just paper.

dharmashooter Says:

Mar 5, 2012 - Exposing a tyranny doesn't necessarily stop it. New technology only futher increases and centralises power.

TiberiusBrast Says:

Mar 5, 2012 - @dharmashooter please search "Multitude Project"

ThePayola123 Says:

Mar 8, 2012 - Bawbawa Walters...Mr.President:Who has the bigger ego, you or Albert Gore?