Brett Young
College Composition and Research
Response Essay
February 3, 2016
Is TV Really the Best Option?
What’s the best way to get smarter? In Steven Johnson’s article for The New York Times, “Watching TV Makes You Smarter,” he argues that TV improves our cognitive abilities due to his belief that media is becoming more complex. Along with this main argument, he also believes that parents should encourage more complex media that makes for more of a “cognitive workout” rather than a break. I agree with Johnson’s belief that media is becoming more complex and complicated, along with his opinion that parents should encourage more complex media; however, I disagree with his main argument that this media is “Largely a force for good” (279).
To start off, media has increased drastically in its complexity and ability to stir thoughts in those that consume it, and Johnson recognizes this in his essay. Johnson himself writes, “Since the early 80's, however, there has been a noticeable increase in narrative complexity in these dramas. The most ambitious show on TV to date, "The Sopranos," routinely follows up to a dozen distinct threads over the course of an episode, with more than 20 recurring characters” (283). This is a valid argument, and TV is not the only form of media that is growing in complexity. Other forms of media such as video games also have improved. Anyone who has seen the progress in video games over the past ten years will agree that complexity and the games’ ability to cognitively challenge the user has drastically improved. This is due to the improvement in technology which has allowed filmmakers and developers to create more realistic and cognitively challenging scenarios. Johnson notices this and makes a good observation.
In close relation to tech development, Johnson also mentioned that kids should consume more technical and cognitively challenging media. His exact words are, “Indeed, it might be just as helpful to have a rating system that used mental labor and not obscenity and violence as its classification scheme for the world of mass culture” (293). When Johnson says this, he refers to a rating system that will help parents determine the most challenging form of media to challenge their children. I strongly agree with this and I think that it would be very beneficial. If it is an option, I think that parents should encourage their children to choose a form of media that challenges the child’s mind. Common sense seems to dictate that I am correct in my thinking that a more strenuous thought, will lead to more cognitive growth.
Although I agree with the concept of challenging children with the most cognitively challenging form of media, I disagree with his main argument of media being an overall good option for people trying to improve their cognitive ability. Johnson states this in his article when he says, “ I believe that the Sleeper Curve (the theory that media like TV and video games could make people smarter) is the single most important new force altering the mental development of young people today, and I believe it is largely a force for good: enhancing our cognitive faculties, not dumbing them down” (279 ). While some elements of the Sleeper Curve are beneficial, it is causing more overall harm than good. Kids no longer go outside because they are too busy playing video games or watching TV. This often results in obesity, which outweighs the slight benefits that cognitively challenging media can provide. Physical well-being can play a large role in mental well-being, and it is not wise to exercise only the mental element of health. Instead of sitting inside and consuming this “overall force for good,” kids should participate in activities that challenge both their physical and mental abilities (279). Sports are an activity that fit these classifications. Most athletes will tell you that sports are just as mentally strenuous as they are physically.
In conclusion, Steven Johnson’s article “TV Makes You Smarter,” stresses that the rise of complex media is a good thing for the youth and that parents should push their kids to pursue more complex media. I feel that today’s youth are too caught up in video games and TV and that there are much better ways to improve cognitive ability. I agree with Johnson's statements about media becoming more complex and his opinion that parents should push their kids to pursue more complex media; on the other hand, I disagree with his statements about this new complex media being a good thing.
Works Cited
Steven Johnson. "TV makes You Smarter" They Say I Say With Readings. By Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein. Ed. Russel Durst. 2E ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012. 179-189. Print
College Composition and Research
Response Essay
February 3, 2016
Is TV Really the Best Option?
What’s the best way to get smarter? In Steven Johnson’s article for The New York Times, “Watching TV Makes You Smarter,” he argues that TV improves our cognitive abilities due to his belief that media is becoming more complex. Along with this main argument, he also believes that parents should encourage more complex media that makes for more of a “cognitive workout” rather than a break. I agree with Johnson’s belief that media is becoming more complex and complicated, along with his opinion that parents should encourage more complex media; however, I disagree with his main argument that this media is “Largely a force for good” (279).
To start off, media has increased drastically in its complexity and ability to stir thoughts in those that consume it, and Johnson recognizes this in his essay. Johnson himself writes, “Since the early 80's, however, there has been a noticeable increase in narrative complexity in these dramas. The most ambitious show on TV to date, "The Sopranos," routinely follows up to a dozen distinct threads over the course of an episode, with more than 20 recurring characters” (283). This is a valid argument, and TV is not the only form of media that is growing in complexity. Other forms of media such as video games also have improved. Anyone who has seen the progress in video games over the past ten years will agree that complexity and the games’ ability to cognitively challenge the user has drastically improved. This is due to the improvement in technology which has allowed filmmakers and developers to create more realistic and cognitively challenging scenarios. Johnson notices this and makes a good observation.
In close relation to tech development, Johnson also mentioned that kids should consume more technical and cognitively challenging media. His exact words are, “Indeed, it might be just as helpful to have a rating system that used mental labor and not obscenity and violence as its classification scheme for the world of mass culture” (293). When Johnson says this, he refers to a rating system that will help parents determine the most challenging form of media to challenge their children. I strongly agree with this and I think that it would be very beneficial. If it is an option, I think that parents should encourage their children to choose a form of media that challenges the child’s mind. Common sense seems to dictate that I am correct in my thinking that a more strenuous thought, will lead to more cognitive growth.
Although I agree with the concept of challenging children with the most cognitively challenging form of media, I disagree with his main argument of media being an overall good option for people trying to improve their cognitive ability. Johnson states this in his article when he says, “ I believe that the Sleeper Curve (the theory that media like TV and video games could make people smarter) is the single most important new force altering the mental development of young people today, and I believe it is largely a force for good: enhancing our cognitive faculties, not dumbing them down” (279 ). While some elements of the Sleeper Curve are beneficial, it is causing more overall harm than good. Kids no longer go outside because they are too busy playing video games or watching TV. This often results in obesity, which outweighs the slight benefits that cognitively challenging media can provide. Physical well-being can play a large role in mental well-being, and it is not wise to exercise only the mental element of health. Instead of sitting inside and consuming this “overall force for good,” kids should participate in activities that challenge both their physical and mental abilities (279). Sports are an activity that fit these classifications. Most athletes will tell you that sports are just as mentally strenuous as they are physically.
In conclusion, Steven Johnson’s article “TV Makes You Smarter,” stresses that the rise of complex media is a good thing for the youth and that parents should push their kids to pursue more complex media. I feel that today’s youth are too caught up in video games and TV and that there are much better ways to improve cognitive ability. I agree with Johnson's statements about media becoming more complex and his opinion that parents should push their kids to pursue more complex media; on the other hand, I disagree with his statements about this new complex media being a good thing.
Works Cited
Steven Johnson. "TV makes You Smarter" They Say I Say With Readings. By Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein. Ed. Russel Durst. 2E ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012. 179-189. Print