In 2000, Neil Postman delivered a commencement speech to the graduating class of Brigham Young University. In the speech, he contrasts two groups who have impacted humanity for years. The Athenians are known for their great contributions to language, arts, and politics. The Visigoths are remembered for their savagery and destruction. Postman believes that everyone falls into the categories of either the Athenians or the Visigoths. I personally feel that I relate more to the Athenians, as I try to uphold their values in my own life. Postman addresses many categories to depict the Athenians, the ones I most closely relate to are their quest for knowledge, how they act in civilized society, and their sense of community. Since I was old enough …show more content…
During my day-to-day life, I will not try to understand anything. I agree with the Athenians that it is important to ask questions and rethink certain ideas to try and gain as much knowledge as possible. As long as I can remember, my parents have always made it known what the respectable way to act in public was. If me and my sister were not acting appropriately, we would be punished accordingly. The reason I closely relate to the Athenians is because of how they believe one should act in a civilized society. Postman states, “To be an Athenian is to understand that the thread which holds civilized society together is thin and vulnerable; therefore, Athenians place great value on tradition, social restraint, and continuity. To an Athenian, bad manners are acts of violence against the social order” (3). I agree that people with bad social manners are making acts of violence against the social order. If you do not have enough respect for yourself to act appropriately in public, then I think it is best that you stay home. Manners are an important trait to have in society so that people can act reasonably and civilized in