So after reading Steven Johnson’s “Everything Bad Is Good For You” I have a different opinion on the impact of games, television, and other technically advanced media outlets. I was in the same boat as the people Johnson described in his book. I always saw the negative aspects of gaming and felt that it was too violent and had no real benefits. After reading his book, I’m convinced that gaming has many benefits. Yet, I’m concerned that many people are becoming obsessed with the gaming world and forgetting all the other opportunities the world has to offer. I definitely see less children playing outside. Instead, most kids are at home on their computers or playing the newest games. Whatever happened to a good old game of hide and seek? It’s great that the younger generation is becoming smarter, sharper, quicker, but shouldn’t they also be working on building their social skills?
I definitely agree with Johnson that the content of television shows are an indication of how we have evolved into a smarter generation. Movies and tv shows are becoming more complicated forcing you to actually think about the main plot and subplots.
Technology has also allowed us to have easier access to various things, but it has also created a wider gap in class divisions. Those with more financial resources have easier access to this technology, which helps them to maintain their status and acquire access to other things that may help them attain a higher status, while those in a lower class status are continually fighting to play catch-up.
Johnson’s book brings up many great points about pop culture and all the different ways we have benefited from it, but it also makes me wonder what we have lost in the process. I can feel the shift that has occurred in society. People have so many different ways they can connect to others through cellphones, email, videos, etc…, but at the same time I feel like people are less connected. Neighborhoods aren’t what they used to be. I feel like people don’t connect the way they used to.
