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 youβve 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?
Wonder is the foundation of all philosophy, inquiry the progress, ignorance the end.
Even if I accepted that Jesus - like almost every other prophet on record - was born of a virgin, I cannot think that this proves the divinity of his father or the truth of his teachings. The same would be true if I accepted that he had been resurrected.
When a person becomes a legend, the very thing that makes them human and knowable is killed off, so it's like being killed over and over and over again, for all eternity.
Ce que je sais de la morale, c'est au football que je le dois. (I know of morality, it is football that I owe.)
Measured by the standards of men of their time, [the Pilgrims] were the humble of the earth. Measured by later accomplishments, they were the mighty. In appearance weak and persecuted they came -- rejected, despised -- an insignificant band; in reality strong and independent, a mighty host of whom the world was not worthy destined to free mankind.
In my experience, self-hatred is the dominant malaise crippling Christians and stifling their growth in the Holy Spirit.
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