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By Peter K. Fallon The Metaphysics of Media: Toward an End?ÿof Postmodern Cynicism and the Construction of a Virtuous R
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First published January 1, 2010
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About the author
Peter K Fallon
7 books26 followersThirty years of teaching experience on the college/university level — over twenty years of professional experience in television, including 17 years with NBC News' TODAY show. Terminal degree (Ph.D.) in Media Ecology from New York University. Winner of the Marshall McLuhan Award for Outstanding Book in the Field of Media Ecology for 2007. Winner of the Lewis Mumford Award for Outstanding Scholarship in the Ecology of Technics for 2010.
Fallon's second book, "The Metaphysics of Media: Toward an End to Postmodern Cynicism and the Construction of a Virtuous Reality," is available from the University of Chicago Press.
His third book, "Cultural Defiance, Cultural Deviance," was published in March 2013 and is available from the SophiaOmni press and on Amazon.com.
"Propaganda 2.1: Understanding Propaganda in the Digital Age," was just published by Cascade Books (September 8, 2022).
Presentations and Publications
Why the Irish Speak English (paper), presented -- by invitation -- to the Eighth Annual Convention of the Media Ecology Association, Technologico de Monterrey, Mexico City, June 9, 2007.
Orality, Literacy, and the Spread of Printing in Eighteenth Century Ireland (paper), presented -- by invitation -- to the first annual Conference on Irish Studies of the Irish Studies Program, National University of Ireland, Galway, June 7, 2006.
The Metaphysics of Media (paper), presented to the 63rd Annual Conference of the New York State Communication Association, Hudson Valley, NY, October 22, 2005.
Printing, Literacy, and Education in Eighteenth Century Ireland : Why the Irish Speak English (Lewiston, New York: The Edwin Mellen Press, 2005). Winner of the Marshall McLuhan Award for Outstanding Book in the Field of Media Ecology for 2007
Book Review: Ozersky, Josh. Archie Bunker's America: TV in an Era of Change, 1968-1978 (Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois University Press, 2003), in EME: Explorations in Media Ecology, the Journal of the Media Ecology Association, Volume 3, Number 2, 2004.
The Legacy of Neil Postman: Writer, Educator, Public Intellectual (paper/panel discussion) presented to the 54th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association, New Orleans, May 29, 2004.
Mel Gibson's Passion: Translating Scripture into Images, Transforming Truth into Impressions (paper/panel discussion) presented to the Molloy College Center for Christian-Jewish Studies, Rockville Centre, NY, April 21, 2004.
Why the Irish Speak English: the Consequences of One Culture's Resistance to Technological Change, in Printing History, the Journal of the American Printing History Association. Volume XXI, number 2, Spring 2002.
In the Dark: Why Ignorance Survives in an Age of Information, presented at the Women of Spirit Symposium of the Siena Women's Center, Rockville Centre, NY, April 19, 2002.
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin and Jacques Ellul: Media Theory and Criticism from Opposing Christian Theological Perspectives, presented at the 31st Annual Conference of the Popular Culture Association, Philadelphia, PA, April 12, 2001.
Orality- and Literacy-based Differences in the Spread of Printing in Ireland: 1750-1800, presented at the annual convention of the International Communication Association, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, June 28, 1990.
Printing, Literacy, and Education in Eighteenth Century Ireland, presented at the annual conference of the American Educational Research Association, Boston, MA, April 18, 1990
Fallon's second book, "The Metaphysics of Media: Toward an End to Postmodern Cynicism and the Construction of a Virtuous Reality," is available from the University of Chicago Press.
His third book, "Cultural Defiance, Cultural Deviance," was published in March 2013 and is available from the SophiaOmni press and on Amazon.com.
"Propaganda 2.1: Understanding Propaganda in the Digital Age," was just published by Cascade Books (September 8, 2022).
Presentations and Publications
Why the Irish Speak English (paper), presented -- by invitation -- to the Eighth Annual Convention of the Media Ecology Association, Technologico de Monterrey, Mexico City, June 9, 2007.
Orality, Literacy, and the Spread of Printing in Eighteenth Century Ireland (paper), presented -- by invitation -- to the first annual Conference on Irish Studies of the Irish Studies Program, National University of Ireland, Galway, June 7, 2006.
The Metaphysics of Media (paper), presented to the 63rd Annual Conference of the New York State Communication Association, Hudson Valley, NY, October 22, 2005.
Printing, Literacy, and Education in Eighteenth Century Ireland : Why the Irish Speak English (Lewiston, New York: The Edwin Mellen Press, 2005). Winner of the Marshall McLuhan Award for Outstanding Book in the Field of Media Ecology for 2007
Book Review: Ozersky, Josh. Archie Bunker's America: TV in an Era of Change, 1968-1978 (Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois University Press, 2003), in EME: Explorations in Media Ecology, the Journal of the Media Ecology Association, Volume 3, Number 2, 2004.
The Legacy of Neil Postman: Writer, Educator, Public Intellectual (paper/panel discussion) presented to the 54th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association, New Orleans, May 29, 2004.
Mel Gibson's Passion: Translating Scripture into Images, Transforming Truth into Impressions (paper/panel discussion) presented to the Molloy College Center for Christian-Jewish Studies, Rockville Centre, NY, April 21, 2004.
Why the Irish Speak English: the Consequences of One Culture's Resistance to Technological Change, in Printing History, the Journal of the American Printing History Association. Volume XXI, number 2, Spring 2002.
In the Dark: Why Ignorance Survives in an Age of Information, presented at the Women of Spirit Symposium of the Siena Women's Center, Rockville Centre, NY, April 19, 2002.
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin and Jacques Ellul: Media Theory and Criticism from Opposing Christian Theological Perspectives, presented at the 31st Annual Conference of the Popular Culture Association, Philadelphia, PA, April 12, 2001.
Orality- and Literacy-based Differences in the Spread of Printing in Ireland: 1750-1800, presented at the annual convention of the International Communication Association, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, June 28, 1990.
Printing, Literacy, and Education in Eighteenth Century Ireland, presented at the annual conference of the American Educational Research Association, Boston, MA, April 18, 1990
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 10, 2012
WINNER OF THE LEWIS MUMFORD AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SCHOLARSHIP IN THE ECOLOGY OF TECHNICS FOR 2010!
"Peter K. Fallon believes that ethics and metaphysics should never be limited to professional academic philosophers and theologians. In The Metaphysics of Media Fallon takes a courageous stand against our popular culture of media and the postmodern view of information as a salable commodity. He investigates how and why different media, through different historical eras, have engendered and supported certain concepts of reality – at the expense of others. He begins with a critical discussion of the essential idea of objective reality and truth. Fallon then unfolds the story of the evolution of communication through four major eras and the metaphysical foundation that underlies each era and concludes with a look at the troubling rise of mass ignorance in what we call (without a hint of irony) an "age of information."
"Fallon brings keen insight, wit, and wisdom to bear on the momentous issues and questions related to today's media and to their raison d'etre and modus operandi as envisioned and actualized by their 'masters and practitioners' -- owners, directors, talking heads -- and, with our own complicity, us. One way or another, even for those who try to 'tune it out', in this age epitomized by the battle between CNN and Fox News, the media surround and affect us all, and Fallon's voice needs to be heard. Everyone who reads this book will be challenged to examine how they understand the media, and how much they allow the media to 'fill up' their lives, their minds, their hearts, and their souls. In what he calls our "age of darkness", Fallon shines a very bright light on the media and how we allow ourselves to be affected by it. Can you turn off your TV and your computer and your radio and your iTunes and your cell phone long enough to quietly read this book?"
Reactions from the blind reviewer, via University of Scranton Press:
"Fallon has taken on a weighty and daunting task in this work...this manuscript is very well written, very well argued and despite its length, concise and coherent... It makes an important contribution to a variety of disciplines, including, media studies, cultural studies, ethics and the history of technology and culture...very strong, it reminds me in some ways of the writing of the late Neil Postman (http://www.facebook.com/groups.php?re...), who the author quotes extensively. The author’s passion is welcome, especially in a field where the passivity and neutral voice is often looked upon as key to a well written text... I think that this work is a welcome cannon shot across the bow of post-modernism, and will spark much needed debate. Fallon’s passion and emotional connection serve him well and I think this book will be well received..."
Reaction from the publisher:
Fallon is "waging a one man battle in the discipline. A voice crying in the wilderness, like John the Baptist... (When the book is published) maybe that voice will be heard by more people...It challenges a reader on every page...Grand work."
And, after reading one chapter (In the Dark) in 2002, the Late Georgetown University Professor of Theology and Catholic intellectual Monika Hellwig said "I certainly hope you will publish it. It would attract the attention of the right people in America," and called it "a truly significant piece of work."
"Peter K. Fallon believes that ethics and metaphysics should never be limited to professional academic philosophers and theologians. In The Metaphysics of Media Fallon takes a courageous stand against our popular culture of media and the postmodern view of information as a salable commodity. He investigates how and why different media, through different historical eras, have engendered and supported certain concepts of reality – at the expense of others. He begins with a critical discussion of the essential idea of objective reality and truth. Fallon then unfolds the story of the evolution of communication through four major eras and the metaphysical foundation that underlies each era and concludes with a look at the troubling rise of mass ignorance in what we call (without a hint of irony) an "age of information."
"Fallon brings keen insight, wit, and wisdom to bear on the momentous issues and questions related to today's media and to their raison d'etre and modus operandi as envisioned and actualized by their 'masters and practitioners' -- owners, directors, talking heads -- and, with our own complicity, us. One way or another, even for those who try to 'tune it out', in this age epitomized by the battle between CNN and Fox News, the media surround and affect us all, and Fallon's voice needs to be heard. Everyone who reads this book will be challenged to examine how they understand the media, and how much they allow the media to 'fill up' their lives, their minds, their hearts, and their souls. In what he calls our "age of darkness", Fallon shines a very bright light on the media and how we allow ourselves to be affected by it. Can you turn off your TV and your computer and your radio and your iTunes and your cell phone long enough to quietly read this book?"
Reactions from the blind reviewer, via University of Scranton Press:
"Fallon has taken on a weighty and daunting task in this work...this manuscript is very well written, very well argued and despite its length, concise and coherent... It makes an important contribution to a variety of disciplines, including, media studies, cultural studies, ethics and the history of technology and culture...very strong, it reminds me in some ways of the writing of the late Neil Postman (http://www.facebook.com/groups.php?re...), who the author quotes extensively. The author’s passion is welcome, especially in a field where the passivity and neutral voice is often looked upon as key to a well written text... I think that this work is a welcome cannon shot across the bow of post-modernism, and will spark much needed debate. Fallon’s passion and emotional connection serve him well and I think this book will be well received..."
Reaction from the publisher:
Fallon is "waging a one man battle in the discipline. A voice crying in the wilderness, like John the Baptist... (When the book is published) maybe that voice will be heard by more people...It challenges a reader on every page...Grand work."
And, after reading one chapter (In the Dark) in 2002, the Late Georgetown University Professor of Theology and Catholic intellectual Monika Hellwig said "I certainly hope you will publish it. It would attract the attention of the right people in America," and called it "a truly significant piece of work."
August 9, 2012
A fascinating look at the hidden biases of the tools we use.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews