The Sound Bite Society: Television and the American Mind

by Jeffrey Scheuer

Since the 1960s, American political life has undergone some major transformations: conservative politicians and values have proliferated, and television has become the main forum for public discourse. In The Sound Bite Society, Jeffrey Scheuer shows how these changes are directly connected and explains that the key to understanding these forces lies in the nature of television and its relationship to ideology. Scheuer asserts that television is an inherently simplistic medium favoring sentimental and one-dimensional communication: visceral sound bites and photo ops. But a vibrant democracy is possible only if conflicting, complex ideas are exchanged. The Sound Bite Society asks if television has served democracy; Scheuer answers with a definitive No. Challenging Americans to resuscitate complexity as part of our public life, this book is crucial to anyone interested in understanding and changing our political landscape.

280 pages, Hardcover

First published September 8, 1999

Reviews

[Angelica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Couldn't finish it... interesting concepts and points, but the guy writes in circles. Just get to the point, guy, you sound so pretentious I'm beginning to think you were holding your pinky in the air the entire time writing the manuscript.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost a five.