Technology and its Impact on American Culture :: Exploratory Essays Research Papers

Technology and its Impact on American Culture As an amateur reporter for the school newspaper, I have had the opportunity to interview quite a variety of people on many different topics. One of my favorite questions to ask is, "What do you think has had the most influence on American culture?" Why do I like asking this particular question? The answer is simple: the variety and range of responses. While some answers are more interesting than others, I must say that I've learned quite a bit from all of them. For example, I once posed my 'famous question' to a teenager while waiting in line outside a movie theater. At first, she just stared at me with a look that clearly said, "Who are you and why are you asking me this?" I stood silently with one eyebrow slightly raised, waiting to see if she would come up with an answer. She seemed to consider for a moment and replied, "If we have culture, it comes from TV." I had to agree with her. Television, whether we like it or not, plays a huge role in how our society functions and how our culture has been shaped since its invention. Up until 1935, televisions were not electric as they are today. They were mechanical, powered by a small motor with a spinning disc and a neon lamp. The picture projected was very small, sometimes half the size of a business card, and only showed shades of orange and red. From 1935 up until World War II, the electric television was perfected and made ready for public distribution. The electric television provided a much larger, clearer screen with a full range of colors. In 1948-1949, during the post-WWII spending craze, the television became a must-have item for every American family, bringing a world of information and entertainment into living rooms across the country and changing the way Americans viewed many things. One effect TV has had on how we view things is in the area of advertisement. A few weeks ago in English, my class had quite a discussion on the subject of commercials. A person can tell what type of society they live in by simply watching the commercials during any TV program. One example, in America, is the numerous ads for various types of medication. From this, it is easy to see that our society cares a lot about health care and making sure that they feel healthy. Technology and its Impact on American Culture :: Exploratory Essays Research Papers Technology and its Impact on American Culture As an amateur reporter for the school newspaper, I have had the opportunity to interview quite a variety of people on many different topics. One of my favorite questions to ask is, "What do you think has had the most influence on American culture?" Why do I like asking this particular question? The answer is simple: the variety and range of responses. While some answers are more interesting than others, I must say that I've learned quite a bit from all of them. For example, I once posed my 'famous question' to a teenager while waiting in line outside a movie theater. At first, she just stared at me with a look that clearly said, "Who are you and why are you asking me this?" I stood silently with one eyebrow slightly raised, waiting to see if she would come up with an answer. She seemed to consider for a moment and replied, "If we have culture, it comes from TV." I had to agree with her. Television, whether we like it or not, plays a huge role in how our society functions and how our culture has been shaped since its invention. Up until 1935, televisions were not electric as they are today. They were mechanical, powered by a small motor with a spinning disc and a neon lamp. The picture projected was very small, sometimes half the size of a business card, and only showed shades of orange and red. From 1935 up until World War II, the electric television was perfected and made ready for public distribution. The electric television provided a much larger, clearer screen with a full range of colors. In 1948-1949, during the post-WWII spending craze, the television became a must-have item for every American family, bringing a world of information and entertainment into living rooms across the country and changing the way Americans viewed many things. One effect TV has had on how we view things is in the area of advertisement. A few weeks ago in English, my class had quite a discussion on the subject of commercials. A person can tell what type of society they live in by simply watching the commercials during any TV program. One example, in America, is the numerous ads for various types of medication. From this, it is easy to see that our society cares a lot about health care and making sure that they feel healthy.