Paglia argues that, when Biblical literature censured "pagan idols" (235), the precedent was set for today's censure of television. By "banning all visual imagery, of anything on earth or in the heavens" (235), Biblical injunctions established writing as powerful social intercourse. Through the passage of time, technological advances, and the emergence of media, American culture has evolved from a literary one to a visual one. The reading of writing has become less important, in some minds, than the watching of writing. In the debated controversy of reading literature versus watching television, Postman argues, "[R]eading teaches us to reason, and that television, with its random unconnected images, works against this linear tradition and breaks the habits of logic and thinking" (233). In other words, Postman advocates the values of America's earlier print culture, for he asserts that reading is a fundamental tool to learning. Paglia, on the other hand, believes that nonprint forms of communication, such as televsion, are also valuable resources for learning.

To read or watch TV? is still an unanswered question. The debate between Paglia and Postman is an ongoing social argument that seems to continually hit a brick wall. Why? Because some people believe that watching life reenacted on television is more stimulating than reading about it. Reading literature or watching television; which is better? Well, that depends on the individual's preference. Personally, I like to read. I find enjoyment in the written word because I am a creative person who likes to use my imagination. Reading is a pleasurable way for me to stimulate my brain creatively as well as intellectually. By reading different types of literature, I am continually learning and increasing my vocabulary, while improving my logical, analytical, and interpretive skills. My writing and grammatical skills are also steadily improving.

When I watch television, the images portrayed on the screen are not real to me. When I am in need of serious down time, I use reading not only as a tool to educate my mind, but also as an escape route from my daily school and work routines. When I want to relax and not think about anything, that is when I watch TV. Watching a surreal world portrayed on the television is also an important source of entertainment for me. Sometimes I just want to sit around and not think at all.

I agree with some, but not all, of both Paglia's and Postman's ideals. Aside from computers, television is today's culture. Today we live in a visual society that not only creates images for the sake of human entertainment, but also for the sake of American capitalism. Molding political images to pacify public opinion, falsifying advertisement ads, solidifying the literary world's opinion--this kind of TV is bad. It assumes that people who watch TV do not read and that people who read do not watch TV. As an avid reader who habitually likes to watch TV, I can personally say that social misconception is untrue.

Postman, Neil, and Camille Paglia. "She Wants Her TV! He Wants His Books!" CyberReader. 2nd ed. Ed.Victor J. Vitanza. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon, 1999. 95-102.