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?