Final answer:
The phrase mentioned suggests the significant influence of television on shaping American social norms, values, and international perception. With the rise in TV ownership and diverse media options, television has influenced both American society's internal dynamics and its global image.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase "America this is the IMPRESSION I get from looking in the television set" could allude to the socializing influence of television on U.S. society. Television, as a potent medium, has historically reinforced social norms, values, and beliefs. With the advent of the television set in nearly every American home by the late 1990s, the medium has served as an essential reference point, significantly shaping public perceptions and behaviors.
Furthermore, the expansion of cable networks and the internet have diversified media consumption choices, albeit with varying impacts on public engagement with civic affairs and politics. The saturation of content has led some to avoid the news, affecting the traditional avenues of communication between political leaders and citizens.
In addition to domestic effects, American television has left its imprint globally, being both admired and rejected by various cultures for representing American consumerism and values. For instance, in countries like Iran, the duality of attraction and rejection towards American media demonstrates the complexity of international perspectives on American television.