Mediated: How the Media Shapes Your World and the Way You Live In It.

Questions to consider while reading – please note, this is a partial list!

1) De Zengotita argues that George W. Bush “commits the sin of ‘indicating.’”(pp.161-173). Explain what he means by “the sin of indicating” and explain how it relates to the president’s heart.

2) De Zengotita challenges the conventional understanding that people today are apathetic to politics and political problems of the day. How, and for what reasons, does he challenge this notion? If people aren’t apathetic then what are they, according to de Zengotita?

3) De Zengotita mentions the first time he realized storms didn’t have names until several years ago (pp.229-235). He calls this the “church of storms.” Discuss what he means by “the church of storms” and its significance.

4) De Zengotita writes, “Once again it is all about you. The reader, the viewer, the customer is the ultimate center of the represented universe. Those in the limelight come and go in accordance with the dictates of your attention (p.260).” Discuss this passage in light of his earlier discussion of “The Cosmic Pathway to the Hall of the Universe (pp.236-247).