Civic Capacity Book Club: Reading Neil Postman's "Amusing Ourselves to Death"
A book on television, media and mass communications dives into planning and economic development
One of my favorite things to do, when the weather cooperates, is riding my trusty 21-speed Haro Flightline One bicycle across the bike paths and back roads that across our county. Now, this is done solely as an individual pursuit. I am not particularly fast, but I do tend to go long distances; the longer, the better.
And while I am alone, I tend to listen to audiobooks and the last book in my library was Neil Postman’s “Amusing Ourselves to Death”. Postman’s book looks almost badly dated and sorely naive nearly forty years after it hit bookstores. However, as one reads the book, one could imagine that this book could still be assigned reading on college syllabus for classes in communications and media.
Postman’s book talks about the evolution of communication from the printing press, aided along by the daguerreotype and telegraph, to modern day television. The thesis of the book is that television has profoundly changed our educational and informational channels, our communication style and even our societal character to all be based on entertainment. I wonder what an updated version of this book would look like if Postman had seen or even contemplated the internet.
The relevance of Postman’s work, especially to the work being done here at Civic Capacity, was always in the background as I listened to the book; the primacy and the importance of the written word and the propogation of ideas, rather than personalities, are just two ways in which Postman would argue that this newsletter is impacting community culture for the better.
Cities as Centers of Culture
However, the first chapter of the book deals with the inter-relationship between cities and the culture that was predominant at that time. In the very beginning of the book, Postman discusses three cities: Boston, symbolizing the 18th-century age of reason and print culture; Chicago, representing the industrial age and the rise of the railroads along with the telegraph and mass media; and Las Vegas, epitomizing the contemporary era dominated by entertainment.
The relevance to our community was stark. Right now, our own community, largely in back rooms lead by bureaucrats and consultants, is leading discussions on what Troy will look like, largely through our new comprehensive plan. As our community, navigates its future economic development strategy, the draft plan dicusses attempting to bring in industry clusters and become more of a tourist destination.
It is with framework in mind, that it becomes instructive to consider which of these cities it might most closely resemble in the future and the potential negative ramifications of each model. To analyze which city our hometown is more likely to become and to understand the potential downsides, we must first understand the characteristics of each city as described by Postman and then align these with Troy’s economic and cultural ambitions.
Boston, Massachusetts: Culture Defined by Education
Boston, in Postman's framework, represents a time when public discourse was heavily influenced by print media. This was an era characterized by a high level of literacy, deep engagement with written material, and a culture of rational debate. Postman’s thesis is that the Revolutionary War, was not just a war in a traditional military sense, the colonists, especially in the north, were educated and motivated to bring forth a revolution. This was not just a revolution in government, it was a revolution in culture.
If Troy were to follow the Boston model, it would need to emphasize education, intellectual engagement, and public discourse as central to its identity. None of these seem to be in the community’s future; Troy is not blessed with a large educational insitution and Troy lags the state average when it comes to the population with a four-year degree. Economic development in this model might focus on industries related to education, publishing, and knowledge-intensive sectors. The city would prioritize creating spaces for intellectual engagement, such as libraries, educational institutions, and forums for public debate.
Relying heavily on intellectual and educational industries may limit economic diversity. While these sectors are essential, they might not generate the same level of immediate economic growth or job creation as more industrial or tourism-focused sectors. This could lead to slower economic development and fewer employment opportunities for a broader range of skills.
A focus on rational discourse and intellectual engagement could unintentionally marginalize those who do not fit into these categories. This might lead to social stratification, where individuals who are not academically inclined or who have different skill sets feel excluded from the city's cultural and economic life. Additionally, a strong emphasis on tradition and intellectualism might create resistance to change and innovation. Cities that overly focus on maintaining their intellectual heritage can become stagnant, failing to adapt to new economic realities or technological advancements.
Chicago, Illinois: Culture Defined by Development
Chicago, as depicted by Postman, symbolizes the rise of the industrial age and the early days of mass communication. This was a period marked by rapid industrial growth, the development of transportation and communication infrastructure, and the proliferation of railroads, newspapers and telegraphs.
If our hometown were to align itself with Chicago, it would focus on attracting diverse industries, building robust infrastructure, and fostering a media landscape that informs and engages the public. Economic development would include manufacturing, transportation, and communication sectors, with an emphasis on building a strong industrial base that supports the city’s growth and resilience. However, the industrial growth model often leads to significant environmental impacts. Increased manufacturing and industrial activities can result in enviornmental pollution, degradation of natural resources, and long-term environmental harm. This can affect the quality of life for residents and lead to health issues.
Rapid industrialization can exacerbate economic inequality. While industrial growth creates jobs, it often leads to disparities in income and wealth distribution. Those in higher-level positions or who own capital tend to benefit more, while lower-level workers may face exploitation and poor working conditions. The focus on industrialization can lead to social disruption, as seen historically in Chicago. Rapid urbanization and industrial growth can strain public services, lead to overcrowding, and increase the cost of living. This can result in social tensions and a decline in the overall quality of life for many residents.
Las Vegas, Nevada: Culture Defined by Amusement
Las Vegas, the third city in Postman’s analysis, represents the modern era dominated by entertainment and spectacle. This city is characterized by its focus on providing amusement and distraction, often at the expense of serious discourse and intellectual engagement and even traditional economic development of attracting and/or retaining industry. If our hometown were to follow the Las Vegas model, it would prioritize tourism and entertainment as the core of its economic development strategy.
The city would seek to attract visitors through various attractions, events, and entertainment venues, creating an economy heavily reliant on the tourism sector. And in all honesty, it seems that this is where our town is headed. Look at the basic messages that are promoted on social media by the City; these messages are largely promoting concerts, events and other attractions, either to an internal audience of residents, or as I suspect, a large audience of out of towners encouraged to spend money here.
There is no doubt that the dollars garnered by tourism are the dollars local government covets the most. These dollars are infused into the community from outside sources. Furthermore, these individuals that come from out of town to spend their money and leave their taxes, often require very little, if any, services in return.
However, an economy heavily reliant on tourism and entertainment is highly susceptible to economic downturns and external shocks. Events such as economic recessions, pandemics, or shifts in tourism trends can have a disproportionate impact on cities like Las Vegas, leading to significant economic instability and job losses. Every economic downturn has had a huge impact on the Las Vegas economy; during the Covid pandemic, unemployement topped 30% in Nevada and casinos in Las Vegas lost a collective $6.2 Billion in revenue.
A focus on entertainment can foster a superficial culture that prioritizes spectacle over substance. This can detract from the development of a robust intellectual and cultural community, leading to a population more interested in amusement than meaningful engagement or civic participation. The emphasis on tourism can lead to the misallocation of resources. Cities focused on entertainment might invest heavily in attractions and amenities for visitors at the expense of essential services for residents, such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure maintenance.
Which Direction Will Troy Go?
Given our hometown’s current ambitions to attract industry clusters while also becoming more of a tourist destination, it seems most reasonble that Troy will resemble Chicago in its initial phases, with the potential to incorporate elements of Las Vegas as it develops its tourism sector.
Troy’s efforts to bring in industry clusters align closely with the Chicago model. By focusing on attracting a diverse range of industries, the city is aiming to build a robust economic foundation. This approach mirrors Chicago’s historical development during the industrial age, where a focus on infrastructure, transportation, and communication helped the city grow rapidly. Troy's strategy of creating industry clusters can drive innovation, create jobs, and strengthen the local economy, similar to how Chicago leveraged its industrial base to become a major economic hub.
At the same time, Troy’s goal of becoming a tourist destination suggests it is also drawing on aspects of the Las Vegas model. By developing attractions, events, and entertainment venues, Troy seeks to diversify its economy and enhance its appeal to visitors. This strategy can boost local businesses, create new opportunities in the hospitality and service sectors, and generate additional revenue for the city. The emphasis on tourism reflects a desire to create a vibrant and dynamic environment, akin to the spectacle-driven economy of Las Vegas.
It goes without saying that a tourism based economy is one that has significant challenges. Our hometown lacks the natural elements (no beaches, no mountains) that might be readily associated with tourist destinations. The city also lacks a historical context that was national in scope (no battlefields, no “George Washington Slept Here” signs). Any tourism strategy requires the city to be dependent on events and infrastructure to take advantage of the few natural resources the city has (such as the Great Miami River).
To mitigate the risks associated with these models, Troy must take proactive steps to ensure balanced and sustainable development. This may include implementing strict zoning regulations and promoting sustainable practices to mitigate the negative impacts of industrial growth and enviornmental pollution; a worthy goal for the community would be preventing new U. S. EPA Superfund sites to be created here in town.
While focusing on tourism and industry, Troy should also seek to diversify its economy by supporting small businesses, encouraging entrepreneurship, and fostering innovation across various sectors, which was discussed in the recommendations of the city’s new comprehensive plan. This approach can reduce economic vulnerability and create a more resilient economic base.
Promoting community engagement and public discourse is essential to maintaining a vibrant intellectual and cultural community. The city should continue to invest in educational institutions that will benefit all ages, public forums, and cultural events that encourage meaningful civic participation and dialogue. Ensuring that the benefits of economic growth are equitably distributed is crucial. Troy should implement policies that support affordable housing, transportation, childcare and access to essential services for all residents, thereby enhancing social cohesion.
Granted, over the next twenty, fifty or even one hundred years Troy is not going to turn out to be the next Chicago (with a metro population of nearly 9 million) or even Las Vegas (a metro population of just under 3 million). But these models are instructive as we see a community that is moving from a traditional economic development model to a model based on tourism.
As our community navigates its economic development strategy, it is likely to most closely resemble Chicago, with its focus on industrial growth and infrastructure development. However, the city's ambitions to become a tourist destination also draw on elements of the Las Vegas model. To ensure a balanced and sustainable future, Troy should integrate the best aspects of both models while fostering a culture of education and public discourse reminiscent of Boston.
By doing so, Troy can build a vibrant and resilient hometown that thrives economically while maintaining its intellectual and cultural vitality. Balancing industrial growth, tourism development, and community engagement will be crucial for Troy as it strives to create a prosperous and dynamic future for all our neighbors here in town.
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