LU4: Print Media
The Birth of the Typographic Mind
This learning module focuses on the the typographic – or print media (books, newspapers and magazines). Typographic media have been during centuries the main tool in education. Books were use as the only possible – and thinkable – vehicle of knowledge. The mind educated through typographic media – generally books – is what Neil Postman calls the Typographic Mind. The main thesis of this author is that this typographic mind is vanishing due to the omnipresent electronic media.
This learning module allows you
1 – to understand the impact of the invention of the printing press (Johannes Gutenberg) on the Western culture and civilization,
2 – to comprehend the role of newspapers in a democratic society,
3 – to learn the commercial forces that drive newspapers and magazines,
4 – to figure out the social functions fulfilled by print media,
5 – to follow the current trends in the book, newspapers and magazine industries (with special emphasis on the impact of digital communication technologies).
and finally
6 – the consequences of the debilitation – or even disappearance – of the typographic mind on our society (the thesis of Neil Postman’s book The Disappearance of Childhood).
Readings:
4.1 History of Books – by R. E. Hanson
4.2 Newspapers – by Creative Commons
4.4 The Disappearance of Childhood – by N. Postman
The Gutenberg Revolution
The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in the 15th century had the impact impact of a true revolution.
It transformed civilization in the deepest fashion
It became the engine of history challenging the political and the religious status quo. In the following video, I discussed the impact of the invention and spread of the printing press.
The Disappearance of Childhood is Neil Postman’s most controversial book.
The book focuses on one subject he introduced in his previous – and probably most famous – book Amusing Ourselves to Death: The impact of audiovisual media – especially TV – on education.
His vision, which he anticipated in this book was rather pessimistic.
In this video, I explain why the decline of the typographic mind might, according to the author, destroy our idea of childhood, and undermine the ideal of the autonomous and functional adult.