World Model · podcast knowledge graph

The Man Who Predicted the Downfall of Thinking

2025-03-06 · 59 min · episode 105 · 17 entities

episode page audio

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  • → references Amusing Ourselves to Death book
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    Center for Humane Technology . Follow us on X: @HumaneTech_ RECOMMENDED MEDIA “Amusing Ourselves to Death” by Neil Postman ”Technopoly” by Neil Postman A lecture from Postman where he
  • → hosted by Center for Humane Technology person
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    Feed author/publisher: Center for Humane Technology
  • → recommended Amusing Ourselves to Death book
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    “Amusing Ourselves to Death” by
  • → recommended Amazing Ourselves to Death book
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    "Amazing Ourselves to Death," by
  • → discusses Society & Culture concept
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    Feed category: Society & Culture
  • → discusses Technology company
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    Feed category: Technology
  • → discusses Relationships concept
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  • → discusses Government company
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    Feed category: Government
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    Feed author/publisher: The Center for Humane Technology, Tristan Harris, Aza Raskin

Entities found in this episode

books 5

  • 0.92
    evidence rules-v5
    “Amusing Ourselves to Death” by
  • references Amusing Ourselves to Death book
    0.78
    evidence rules-v5
    Center for Humane Technology . Follow us on X: @HumaneTech_ RECOMMENDED MEDIA “Amusing Ourselves to Death” by Neil Postman ”Technopoly” by Neil Postman A lecture from Postman where he
  • 0.65
    evidence rules-v5
    "Amazing Ourselves to Death," by
  • recommended Amusing Ourselves to Death book
    0.50
    evidence rules-v5
    “Amusing Ourselves to Death” by
  • recommended Amazing Ourselves to Death book
    0.50
    evidence rules-v5
    "Amazing Ourselves to Death," by

concepts 5

  • mentioned Society & Culture concept
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    Feed category: Society & Culture
  • mentioned Relationships concept
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    Feed category: Relationships
  • discusses Society & Culture concept
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    evidence rules-v5
    Feed category: Society & Culture
  • discusses Relationships concept
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    Feed category: Relationships
  • mentioned HumaneTech concept
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    @HumaneTech_

companys 5

persons 2

Episode description as stored
Few thinkers were as prescient about the role technology would play in our society as the late, great Neil Postman. Forty years ago, Postman warned about all the ways modern communication technology was fragmenting our attention, overwhelming us into apathy, and creating a society obsessed with image and entertainment. He warned that “we are a people on the verge of amusing ourselves to death.” Though he was writing mostly about TV, Postman’s insights feel eerily prophetic in our age of smartphones, social media, and AI.  In this episode, Tristan explores Postman's thinking with Sean Illing, host of Vox's The Gray Area podcast, and Professor Lance Strate, Postman's former student. They unpack how our media environments fundamentally reshape how we think, relate, and participate in democracy - from the attention-fragmenting effects of social media to the looming transformations promised by AI. This conversation offers essential tools that can help us navigate these challenges while preserving what makes us human. Your Undivided Attention  is produced by the  Center for Humane Technology . Follow us on X:  @HumaneTech_ RECOMMENDED MEDIA “Amusing Ourselves to Death” by Neil Postman  ”Technopoly” by Neil Postman  A lecture from Postman where he outlines his seven questions for any new technology.  Sean’s podcast “The Gray Area” from Vox  Sean’s interview with Chris Hayes on “The Gray Area”  "Amazing Ourselves to Death," by Professor Strate Further listening on Professor Strate's analysis of Postman.  Further reading on mirror bacteria RECOMMENDED YUA EPISODES ’A Turning Point in History’: Yuval Noah Harari on AI’s Cultural Takeover This Moment in AI: How We Got Here and Where We’re Going Decoding Our DNA: How AI Supercharges Medical Breakthroughs and Biological Threats with Kevin Esvelt Future-proofing Democracy In the Age of AI with Audrey Tang CORRECTION :  Each debate between Lincoln and Douglas was 3 hours, not 6 and they took place in 1859, not 1862. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.