The Concept of Privacy in Neil Postman's View: An Outcome of the Printing Press and Its Evolution in the Digital Age #

In Neil Postman's insightful analysis of media, he suggests that the concept of privacy as we understand it today is primarily a result of the printing press. The emergence of the printed word had a profound impact on society. It shifted the primary mode of communication from oral to written, and with it, fundamentally changed how information was created, disseminated, and received.

Privacy and the Printed Word #

Before the advent of the printing press, information was shared orally. This was a communal activity, which led to a society where the concept of privacy was not as prevalent or recognized. However, the printing press allowed for the personal and private consumption of information.

Reading became an individual activity that one could do in isolation. Ideas, feelings, and knowledge were now consumed privately, and this birthed the concept of a private intellectual space, separate from the public sphere. Postman asserted that privacy, as we understand it today, was created by the culture of reading which was in turn made possible by the printing press.

A Return to Tribalism: McLuhan's Perspective #

Marshall McLuhan, another luminary in the field of communication theory, introduced the concept of the "global village," where modern media has brought people closer together, echoing the characteristics of tribal societies. While Postman points to the printing press as a device that fostered individualism and privacy, McLuhan highlights the effects of newer media forms, which he believes are causing a regression back to tribalism.

The advent of new media technologies - television, radio, the Internet, and social media - re-introduced communal experiences, similar to the oral societies of the past. These media forms have created a world where information is instantly available and accessible to everyone. They're blurring the lines between public and private spheres, and gradually reshaping our understanding and expectation of privacy.

In this McLuhanian "global village," everyone is connected and information about one's private life can easily become public. This echoes characteristics of tribal societies, where communal living and sharing of experiences was the norm. Today, we're experiencing a blend of these modes of communication, with the simultaneous presence of the individualistic, privacy-emphasizing print culture and the communal, privacy-diluting new media culture.

Balancing Heritage and Modernity #

Our journey from the Gutenberg era to the digital age has involved a shift in societal norms and structures, including our understanding of privacy. As we traverse this digital landscape, it becomes imperative to find a balance between our cultural heritage and the demands of modernity.

Preserving our heritage in this context involves promoting media literacy, delineating between public and private spaces in the digital world, enacting effective privacy laws and regulations, and encouraging ethical tech design. This approach allows us to retain the fundamental values embedded in the Gutenberg era, such as individualism and privacy, while embracing the new communal experiences offered by digital media.

Conclusion #

While the printing press created a culture where ideas could be consumed privately, fostering the concept of privacy, the new forms of media are causing a shift back to a communal society, blurring the boundaries of private and public spheres. Navigating this shift doesn't necessitate the abandonment of our cultural heritage. By emphasizing education, understanding our new media environment, and promoting ethical tech design and policy, we can progress into the digital age, cherishing our heritage while adapting to new societal norms and expectations.