Noise: How Our Media-saturated Culture Dominates Lives and Dismantles Families [Revised Edition]

by Teresa Tomeo

The most dominant force in the lives of almost all Americans is the media, the internet, TV, radio, smartphones, tablets. The list goes on and on. Although incredibly intoxicating, the media all too often distracts us from that which is most important, and in many instances, actually fights against our good and noble goals in life. As parents, educators, and consumers of the media, we have to get our media usage and that of our families under control. Otherwise, the media will control us, if it isn't doing so already. In her new book, Noise , Teresa Tomeo, a veteran broadcast journalist in both the Catholic and secular markets, makes a compelling and irrefutable case about the dangers of our dominant media culture and the adjoining liberalism and immorality that comes with it. Tomeo gives a sobering analysis of each of the nine dominant forms of media, and she reveals how they are rapidly dismantling families and destroying lives. You will

Genres: Catholic, Parenting, Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published August 6, 2007

Reviews

[Tracia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book to all parents!! Catholic psychologist Dr. Gregory Popcak shares that all significant human development- psychological, intellectual, emotional and spiritual- comest through reflection. That is, our highest faculty as a human person is our mind. The mind is where we discern, reflect, cho...ose, and finally, decide to act. These factors determine whether we grow, regress, or remain stagnant. In the mind, particularly through the act of reflection, we determine how we will respond to life, to others, and to the wisdom and grace that God provides. Now consider the ramifications of rarely or never reflecting. What if we become so desirous of being entertained, or so accostumed to simply responding to stimuli, that we rarely had a chance to actually think about ourselves and our direction in life??

Mother Theresa: "We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature- trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon, and the sun, how they move in silence...We need silence to be able to touch souls."Read More

[Siobhain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Teresa Tomeo and think her background in the news media gives a good perspective to this book. I didn't finish it, realizing that my book was published in 2007 and there was not much at the end of the book that was specific enough on current issues for me to continue. However, I am thankful that there are writers and media people like Teresa Tomeo who are trying to help parents maneuver the overwhelming onslaught of technology. Hopefully, more parents will become aware of the problems with unlimited technology and media which prevent children experiencing what used to be considered a normal childhood.

[Isabella · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit dated. I read the 2007 version. There is now a revised 2012 edition. I didn't learn much I didn't already know but I have been listening to podcasts and reading articles about the media for some time. I think when the book was written 10 years ago, people were not as aware of media bias and the effects of electronic devices on us and our children. Hopefully people are now more aware but are we doing anything about it?

This is an easy and quick elementary read on effects of noise in our society.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was excellent, but published in 2012 it is in desperate need of a revised edition. Our culture is exponentially more media-saturated than ever, and some up-to-date tips on how families can avoid and combat it would definitely be welcome!

[Meghan Durkee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good general info, but very dated (last published 2012). A lot of the trends described just don't exist anymore.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before I start my review let me point out that we only have one TV in our household which is in the family room and we do not have cable. We have a no TV policy during the school week and for the most part we only let our child watch PBS kids and videos we own. We also listen to listener supported radio stations that do not have commercials. I picked up this book to flesh out my thoughts on modern day media and I liked it for the most part.

Once I got to the meat of the book it was mostly good. I especially like the action lists at the end of each chapter. The longest chapter is on media bias and it comes in at a (comparatively) whopping 30 pages (there are several chapters that are 4-6 pages). Coming from journalism, this is clearly where she got her start in noticing the negative effects of media and became increasingly frustrated by the sensationalism and ratings grabbing becoming all to common. But i thought the author could have done a better job on focusing on the problem of biased media, both liberal AND conservative instead of writing a laundry list of complaints of liberal media bias.

But with that caveat, I thought it was good.
Modern media can be a powerful tool, and like all power tools, children should have adult supervision.

[Steve · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was disappointed in this book. I went into this book with high expectations for how the noise of our culture is affecting us, but instead all I got was noise. This book only deals with the surface of the problem and did not dive into the moral implications, the justification for eliminating noise, or how our spiritual life is being effected by input saturation. At the end of every chapter was "practical steps", but these were not substantiated in the text of the chapter so were ideas thrown out without any details on how to accomplish them, or why they should be done. Overall a very poor book.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

For as full as this book is of statistics and facts pertaining to media, this book is a very engaging read. Teresa has a great blend of anecdote and solid information which makes you interested in the subject matter. She also is careful to balance her presentation with both the sobering reality of negative media influence, hope for positive media usage and practical suggestions for what people can do about the situation.

[Patti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good analysis from someone in the media business. Not necessarily rocket science as you look at the signs of the times, but well written and an excellent source of action items if you want to be an agent of change and reduce exposure to the media for yourself and your family (this was, I thought, the best part of the book).

[Roxanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn’t finish it. Lots of true info and references to tons of research, but I got bored so quit about 2/3 of the way through. Seems like I’ve heard it all already, especially on Catholic Connection. All fact and little philosophy. Has practical suggestions, though.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book inspired me to direct our family to other means of family entertainment besides sitting in front of the tube.

[JenBW]

Good message--can be interpreted a little "preachy" on the Catholic religion--otherwise, not a bad book to read, especially parents

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every parent should read this book!

[Victoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a bit outdated

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made me see the media in a totally different fashion. Hightly recommend

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit outdated, due to the technology references, but you can get the drift regardless.