Bias Of Language, Bias Of Pictures

In the story “The Bias of Language, The Bias of Pictures”, Postman and Powers claim several differences between stationary pictures, moving pictures, and language.  They mention how stationary pictures represent on in particularities (Postman & Powers, 2008). When describing a picture, the person viewing it is limited to only what the picture shows. There is only so much one picture can display.

When portraying moving images, they display images that change (Postman & Powers, 2008).  Moving images are more entertaining to its viewers.  It depends on what type of moving image is being shown.  Different types of actions such as explosions, fires, and live storms are what catch the viewers’ attention.    

In discussing the differences of language, Postman and Powers explain how there are different levels of language (Postman & Powers, 2008).  The first level of language is to describe an event. The next level of language is to evaluate an event. The final step of language is to infer the event.  With these three levels, it helps to limit the confusion of something that has been said. When three people hear the same event, each person will develop their own picture of that event.

 The difference of stationary pictures, moving pictures, and language are important to the larger part of the essay because it helps explain the different methods that are used in reporting new.  Through stationary pictures, moving pictures, and language news can be altered in many way or misinterpreted.  For instance, “Consider a film clip showing an aircraft carrier at sea. One might be able to identify the ship as Soviet or American, but there would be no way of telling where in the world the carrier was, where it was headed, or when the picture was taken. It is only through language words spoken over the picture or reproduced in them-that the image of an aircraft carrier takes on a specific meaning.” (Postman & Powers, 2008).  SO, depending on which way information is presented it can be interpreted differently.

Powers and Postman’s main claim about newscasters today, is that figuring out what way to imply different types of news requires a lot of thinking.  For instance, when covering a story on television, there is a limited amount of time they have to do their reporting. They have to quickly discuss the points of the story they are covering and then move on to the next story. AS for a newspaper, they can provide as much information as they need and go more in depth with the story. On television, the viewer has no choice but to listen to and watch what is being shown. In a newspaper, the reader can pick and choose what to read and what not to read (Postman & Powers, 2008).

                I completely agree with them about their claims of how stationary pictures, moving pictures, and language differ.  When being implemented, each one of these can be interpreted differently depending on the person.  I also agree with their claim about newscasts today. News reports on television are brief, and leave you to input your own thoughts on the situation, while newspapers provide more details on reporting’s.   

REFERENCES

Rosendale, G.R., (2008). Pop perspectives: Readings to critique contemporary culture. McGraw Hill, The Bias of Language, The Bias of Pictures. (pp. 481-489). New York: NY