Lance Strate Livres

Examining the intricate landscape of media commercialism, this collection of essays addresses the influence of corporate media giants and the pervasive effects of advertising on various societal aspects, including politics and individual behavior. It offers a thorough critique that highlights both the far-reaching impact and inherent limitations of media commercialism in contemporary society, making it a valuable resource for understanding the complexities of modern media dynamics.

The book delves into the relationship between symbols, media, and human interaction with the environment. It examines how various forms of perception and communication shape consciousness, culture, and social structures, highlighting the profound impact of these elements on human behavior and societal organization.

"Concerning Communication: Epic Quests and Lyrical Excursions Within the Human Lifeworld is a collection of essays that range across a variety of topics, including models of communication, language and symbolic communication, sense perception, the self, disability and autism, listening, reading, science, media literacy, ethics, innovation, systems theory, information, communication history, isolation, solipsism, technology, education, media ecology, and general semantics. Lance Strate's unifying theme throughout this volume is the centrality of communication, as a phenomenon, to human life, and the importance of communication, as a field of study, to understanding ourselves and our place in the universe"--

The book explores the intersection of television and technology, drawing on Postman's critiques to analyze contemporary issues in journalism, politics, religion, and education within American culture. Strate provides a comprehensive context for understanding how these elements interact and influence each other, offering insights into the implications of media on societal values and communication.

The author's extensive background in communication and media studies informs a unique blend of poetry that challenges and entertains. With influences from literary giants like Huxley, Darwin, and Joyce, the collection invites readers to explore themes of evolution and enlightenment through a vivid, imaginative lens. The work promises a dynamic experience, combining elements of a blues apocalypse with a touch of humor and intellect. Readers are encouraged to engage deeply, as the poems aim to provoke thought and spark creativity.

Exploring spirituality and intimacy, this poetry collection features a rich tapestry of characters, from biblical figures like Adam and Eve to modern icons such as Marie Curie and Joan of Arc. The poems blend humor and bittersweet memories, highlighting themes of escape, resistance, and transcendence. Strate skillfully intertwines sound, vision, language, and history, creating a dialogue between the personal and the universal. This work resonates deeply, addressing the complexities of the human experience in both a profound and accessible manner.

Integrating Postman's arguments about television with his critique of technology in general, Strate considers the current state of journalism, politics, religion, and education in American culture. Strate also contextualizes Amusing Ourselves to Death through an examination of Postman's life and career and the field of media ecology that Postman introduced.

Media Ecology: An Approach to Understanding the Human Condition introduces media ecology as the study of media as environments, offering a comprehensive overview of this intellectual tradition. Lance Strate articulates how this field transcends mere media analysis to explore the conditions that shape humanity, influence history, and impact our survival. The work synthesizes existing knowledge in a unique way, demonstrating a profound understanding of media ecology's foundations and its connections to other disciplines. Strate addresses "life, the universe, and everything," framing the field as interdisciplinary and communication-focused. He elaborates on McLuhan's concept that "the medium is the message" and emphasizes that the human condition must be viewed through the lens of our biophysical, technological, and symbolic environments. Key terms are examined in detail: "medium" is defined broadly; "bias" highlights inherent tendencies in materials and methods; "effects" are analyzed through Aristotelian formal causality and systems theory; and "environment" distinguishes between oral, chirographic, typographic, and electronic media. A chapter on tools provides guidance for further research in media ecology, making this work suitable for graduate and undergraduate courses on communication theory and philosophy.