Friday, August 10, 2012
Decontextualization Is Lying To Our Faces
Author Neil Postman's book Amusing Ourselves To Death covers issues not just among the people in show business, but how it affects the public. I noticed in the beginning of the novel Postman's usage of the word "decontextualized". I had never seen this word before, so I looked up the definition, which is when something is isolated away from its context. A perfect example of a decontextualized item is coffee-table books. They consist of mostly pictures with little to no explanation or description on what is shown.
I quickly realized that there is decontextualization everywhere. For example, there is a gym ten minutes walking distance from my house that displays a sign saying that payment is only twelve dollars a month. It sounds like a good deal, right? Unfortunately, they do not advertise all of the facts. That's just monthly payment. In order for you to use the equipment provided, you must pay a registration fee of four hundred dollars. Not only is that deceiving and unfair, it also catches people off guard. I have seen people who looked pumped for workout go to register and they walk out upset and disappointed. To those who pay the fee and join, the majority of the people that go there just jog on the treadmill for a weekly exercise. Also, a lot of people who go there do not have the capability or have the time to use all of the equipment. Not many go for a full hour and do a powerful complete body workout.
Coffee table books are one thing, but lying and cheating to the public? It sounds really unrealistic to be truthful in any society, but if anyone wants to teach the future generations of the world how to be honest and trustworthy, how can they learn that in an environment that constantly lies?
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Many people lie or "sugarcoat" the truth in order to "get ahead" of everyone else in society. Even though we have laws against companies using deceit and lying to the public, we live in a world where pretty much anything and everything goes. The reason why so many people kill, steal, and deceive each other is because many people are selfish and simply don't care about one another. Decontextualization is generally a marketing scheme which the media actively uses in order for consumers to be attracted to their products. Because of this, we must be alert and observant of any forms of decontextualization in our enviornment.
ReplyDeleteNot too long ago, I faced a situation with somewhat the same circumstances. I was shopping for cultural clothes in Artesia and noticed a huge poster on the shop's window saying "50% OFF". For such a good deal on traditional clothes, I had to go in and check them out, but I found myself leaving the shop five minutes later; only the bangles on a small table in the corner of the shop were on sale. I could say the same about all other infomercials aired on TV that always seem to keep important fees hidden.
ReplyDeleteThe surrounding environment's constant lies are fed by the people's greed. People forget to be wary of their surroundings and easily fall for the world’s tricks...Why? The simple answer is because we are human beings, and many of us are gullible. Even if we do teach the future generation to be honest and trustworthy, a human heart will never completely stay pure or innocent. It is impossible for a truthful society, but it is not impossible to decrease the constant lies that plague our society, starting with the media.