What this generation was bred to at television's knees was not wisdom, but cynicism.
Interpretation
The quote suggests that television has instilled a sense of distrust and skepticism rather than genuine wisdom in people.
Pauline Kael's quote critiques the impact of television on society, arguing that instead of fostering wisdom and deep understanding, it has led to a more cynical worldview among the current generation. This reflects concerns about how media influences perceptions and attitudes, often promoting skepticism instead of thoughtful engagement and insight.
In practice
During a discussion about media literacy, one might refer to this quote to emphasize the need for critical thinking.
I see little of more importance to the future of our country and of civilization than full recognition of the place of the artist. If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him.
The romance of movies is not just in those stories and those people on the screen but in the adolescent dream of meeting others who feel as you do about what you’ve seen.
We read critics for the perceptions, for what they tell us that we didn't fully grasp when we saw the work. The judgments we can usually make for ourselves.
The worst thing about movie-making is that it's like life: nobody can go back to correct the mistakes.
It seems likely that many of the young who don't wait for others to call them artists, but simply announce that they are, don't have the patience to make art.
Imagining [The Wizard of Oz] without Judy Garland is a bit like dancing on wet cement: you can do it, but why would you want to?
Speech is a mirror of the soul: as a man speaks, so is he.
Competing is intense among humans, and within a group, selfish individuals always win. But in contests between groups, groups of altruists always beat groups of selfish individuals.
The four characteristics of humanism are curiosity, a free mind, belief in good taste, and belief in the human race.
Even if I did speak Irish, I’d always be considered an outsider here, wouldn’t I? I may learn the password but the language of the tribe will always elude me, won’t it? The private core will always be ...hermetic, won’t it?
In the consciousness of the infinite, the conscious subject has for his object the infinity of his own nature.
We are each our own devil, and we make this world our hell.
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