Is Seeing Really Believing???

“Seeing is believing” is something that you say which means that you can only believe that something, no matter how strange or surprising is true if you see it for yourself. What Postman argues is that for many of us in our culture, seeing not reading has become the basis for believing. He argues that the printed word holds a higher standing because words in print promote thought and reason. In contrast, imagery leaves virtually no room for thought or reason and is superficial. Postman states that Americans are being led to believe what they see on television is a fact and the truth. Like Postman says, television has a way of reshaping the way that we process information and contemplate truth. He proclaims that television has reprogrammed our epistemology. It has reshaped our concept of what we are seeing as truth. Think about a commercial. In just thirty seconds it promises a simple solution to an every day problem, such as using Proactive to erase acne for clear skin. Many of us are quite taken to this commercial. However, we are completely blind to the fact of how it is warping our view of reality. Imagine, destroying acne and having clear skin in one night! It is true that when we see actual TV results, such as before/after pictures as well as interviews, we get caught up in the moment and do not think about how ridiculous the promise is. After all seeing is believing. I question if television has really destroyed the written word’s credibility? Or is seeing it on television make it real? After all, seeing is believing, even if we only see what the camera allows us to see.