Fast Media, Media Fast    by Thomas W. Cooper Order:  USA  Can Authorhouse, 2011 (2011) Hardcover, Softcover, e-Book     Reviewed by Carrol Wolverton Fast Media, Media Fast details the reaction of a communication professor who dares to look at his field with an experienced and suspicious eye. He doesn't like what he sees and recommends that individuals, students, and groups purposely distance themselves from all or most media for a month, document, and study the results. He did this personally, and it changed his world outlook. He learned to appreciate nature more, and felt the elation of being part of the living universe again. He made better decisions and took the time to think them through. He felt grounded, improved focus, and became more aware. He also lost weight because he became more active (Now there's a positive). Creativity improved. Errors diminished. He describes at length the difference between attending a live baseball game versus watching one on television. Picture yourself smelling the onions and peppers grilling here, as I can. Instead, we have become avatars instead of real people with shrinking attention spans and round-the-clock work habits from which there is no escape. He tells us that our ever-increasing warp speed approach to all aspects of life is taking its toll. Constant media dependence is isolating us from others as the television or computer becomes our companion instead. Children, who watch too much television, show lower learning levels than those whose television consumption is limited. Too much learning comes from commercials and messages laced with images trying to sell something. We've become like Pavlov's dogs and do things because they are popular, not because they are good for us or improve our lives. It may seem that he is turning on his own profession. Rather, he just wants us to use care in what we adopt media related and to watch for the addictions that he has seen all too often. His examples of careful groups (such as the Amish) demonstrate that people thrive without modern media. Other isolated groups who adopt modern media suffer permanent changes that are not always welcome. He concludes that slow and silent approaches to all things media is far more valuable. He gives us methods, suggestions, questions, and procedures to conduct our own personal or group fast, including classroom methods. It proved a life changer for him and will for you as well. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more NonFiction books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews