Neil Postman’s Crazy Talk, Stupid Talk explores the relationship between language and human behavior, arguing that our verbal habits often undermine our own interests. The author categorizes ineffective communication into two types: stupid talk, which fails to achieve its goals due to inappropriate tone or context, and crazy talk, which uses effective language to serve irrational or harmful purposes. Central to his analysis is the concept of the semantic environment, a social framework defined by specific roles, purposes, and rules of discourse. Postman asserts that meaning is not inherent in words but is dictated by the context and the relationships of those speaking. By identifying the ways we mismanage our minds through language, the book provides standards for recognizing and reducing destructive communication. Ultimately, the text serves as a guide for navigating complex social structures to ensure our talk fosters rational and humane outcomes.
Sources
• Postman’s Legacy in a “Post-Truth” Landscape of Algorithmic Propaganda by Renee Hobbs, ETC: A Review of General Semantics, Vol. 79, No. 1, 2022.[1],[2],[3] • Propaganda by Neil Postman, ETC: A Review of General Semantics, Vol. 36, No. 2, pp. 128–133, Summer 1979.[4],[5],[6] • Neil Postman (1931-2003): Some Recollections by Jay Rosen, PressThink, October 07, 2003. Link: http://journalism.nyu.edu/pubzone/weblogs/pressthink/2003/10/07/postman_life.html[7],[8] • Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business by Neil Postman, Penguin Books, 1985. ISBN: 0-14-009438-5.[9],[10],[11] • Crazy Talk, Stupid Talk: How We Defeat Ourselves by the Way We Talk—and What to Do About It by Neil Postman, Delacorte Press, 1976.[12],[13] • Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology by Neil Postman, Vintage Books, 1992. ISBN: 0-679-74540-8.[14],[15],[16]
References
[1] Hobbs 2022 Postman’s Legacy ETC.pdf [2] Hobbs 2022 Postman’s Legacy ETC.pdf [3] Hobbs 2022 Postman’s Legacy ETC.pdf [4] Postman - Propaganda.pdf [5] Postman - Propaganda.pdf [6] Postman - Propaganda.pdf [7] PressThink_ Neil Postman (1931-2003)_ Some Recollections.pdf [8] PressThink_ Neil Postman (1931-2003)_ Some Recollections.pdf [9] [Book] Postman - Amusing Ourselves to Death.pdf [10] [Book] Postman - Amusing Ourselves to Death.pdf [11] [Book] Postman - Amusing Ourselves to Death.pdf [12] [Book] Postman - Crazy Talk Stupid Talk.pdf [13] [Book] Postman - Crazy Talk Stupid Talk.pdf [14] [Book] Postman - Technopoly The Surrender of Culture to Technology.pdf [15] [Book] Postman - Technopoly The Surrender of Culture to Technology.pdf [16] [Book] Postman - Technopoly The Surrender of Culture to Technology.pdf