Forum Discussion for Lach & Lippman

  Forum Discussion for Lach & Lippman Public Opinion Chapter One and Lost Art of Argument Forum Discussion 1. Postman suggests that the dominant medium of a culture influences how we learn what we learn- Considering Lippmann and Lasch, what else in a culture influences what we learn and what we know? 2. Why does Lasch think that politically biased journalism is better than journalism that aims for objectivity? With our media landscape today, do you think he would argue this? What are the pros and cons you see for politically biased journalism and the role it plays in our civic engagement? What does Lasch (and Dewey) see as the role of the press? Lippmann? What do you see as the role of the press? 3. Lippmann argues we all have ‘pictures in our heads" and live in a "pseudo- environment, " Consider eye-witness accounts of an event- Why are the police suspect when two accounts are very similar? Making sure you fully understand Lippmann's ideas, contribute to his argument- What role do these pictures in our heads play in our civic engagement? Consider any major issue facing our nation today - immigration, health care, hacking. What role do these pictures in our heads and the notion we all live in our "own worlds" contribute to the diverse ways Americans see these issues and our political leadership?