Jerry Mander, Perennial, 1978
This is not strictly a Jewish book, although it is written by a Jewish (albeit assimilated) author, and examines a theme often raised in religious circles: the value or otherwise of television. Mander, a disaffected advertising mogul, speaks from the heart about the damage he considers television causes to individuals and to society as a whole. He argues without any religious motivation that television is irredeemable and dangerous beyond control. Some of his arguments are dated (and others unconvincing), but the bulk of the book is makes fascinating and disturbing reading. His four arguments are named: ‘the mediation of experience’, ‘the colonisation of experience’, ‘the effects of television on the human being’ and ‘the inherent biases of television’. While I found the third and fourth arguments problematic, the first two are very powerful. He explains that the television version of reality has replaced ‘actual reality’ in many peoples’ minds and explores the consequences. A disquieting, gripping read.
Four Arguments For The Elimination Of Television
