Homework 14 -Second Text

For this homework I chose to read the two short excerpts. In these excerpts, I found that the main argument was even though people believe that television, video games, and other forms of technological devices are bad for us, there is a flip side to that argument. Steven Johnson, the author of "Everything Bad is Good For You”, wants readers to realize that there are benefits to our digital devices. In a way he is playing devil’s advocate to ever person who has the same generic response, “television and video games corrupt young children’s and teenager’s minds.” However, Johnson argues that video games actually stimulate our brain, because we make challenges for ourselves without even realizing it. In a video game, you must complete a level before you can reach the next one. As each level goes on, the challenges become harder and harder, and that is when skill levels come in. To many people, you just need to know how to shoot a gun or kill an enemy, but when analyzed further, one realizes that there is skill behind these techniques. Also, by trying to get onto the next level, a self designed goal in created in the player’s mind. They have a target they need to reach, and have the urge to succeed. When it comes to television, Johnson also argues that television also stimulates the mind. While some people think that we are just mindless bodies watching a box with images, Johnson argues that some shows make us think, and analyze what is going on. Shows such as ER, House, Lost, and Flash Forward, make the viewers analyze what is happening, and in the case of Lost and Flash Forward, predict an outcome. In the case of ER and House, viewers are able to actually see what goes on in a medical room, an experience they would not likely have in their daily lives. All though they are not actually in the hospital, they can imagine themselves as if they are.

I think that Johnson brought up a lot of good points about the pros of technology. People are always focusing on the bad, and how it “corrupts” our minds, but nobody focuses on what it can do for our minds. It was refreshing to see someone play devil’s advocate, because in order to make a decision, one must see both sides of an argument. I think that now that people can see the pros and cons of technology, they can further deepen their argument, and choose which side they want to be on.

One thing that I found interesting was the fact that Johnson hardly listed any cons to technology. Although I know he likes to focus on the good things, I am surprised that he did not want to include an alternate argument. In our exhibitions, we have to write an opposing viewpoint, even if we do not feel that way. I was surprised that Johnson did not want to include an opposing viewpoint, because if he did, he could have used evidence to shoot down the viewpoints. However, by not including a viewpoint, it shows that he is one-sided on the whole controversial discussion, which means he might not be a reliable source.

I do believe that Johnson brought up a good point about the video game use. I never thought about it before, but now I realize that video games do create a challenge for our brains. Even though we are not learning on an intellectual level, and are not using one of the academic subjects to complete our challenges, we are still improving our skills. We improve our hand-eye coordination, which is an important skill not taught in school, and we also learn how to better our characters in the games so that we do not get injured or die as often as we would in the beginning of the game.

Johnson and M.T Anderson have two completely different views in their books. In Feed, Anderson was all about how technology is bad for us, and how it is corrupting our minds. He went on to explain that our world is consumed with technology, and that we are hit with it 24/7. However, Johnson is claiming that television and video games are good for us, and that it is not corrupting us. Although I believe that the two authors contradicted each other, I also believe that they were talking about two different aspects of digitalization. In Feed, Anderson was talking more about a “Feed” representing a cell phone or laptop in our world, and how we are always connected, every minute of the day. Like the Feed, most people will not turn off their cell phone or laptop, and find that they cannot live without it. Johnson is talking more about television and video games, and how they stimulate our minds and make us set up personal challenges for ourselves. Anderson does not touch on televisions and video games too much, as it is not his main focus. He wants people to see the fact that we are always connected. Johnson did not focus on cell phone or laptop use, rather the entertainment use of technology.