Sophisticatedly Delivering Stupidity

Let's assume Johnson is going to wow me in Part II with empirical evidence about how much smarter we all are as a result of TV, games, movies, and the Internet.

Who cares?

Here's the thing: There are still only 24 hours in every day. When you add in all the things you "should" get done during the day--sleeping, eating, working, reading and what ever else you have going on in your life, the question remains--how much time do you really have left over for popular culture? I have a few hours a week. And, quite frankly, if I'm being fed stupidity during that time or intellectualism I really don't care. I just want to enjoy myself.

I understand and even agree with Johnson's arguments about how media today is more geared towards problem solving and making us think through things. I'm amazed when I watch my six year old logic through the strategy required to win a Pokemon battle. But, that doesn't mean he gets to spend all day doing that, even if it isn't stupid.

I own a GameCube, PS2 and a Wii. My kids play Webkinz, Playhouse Disney, and PBS Kids games on the computer. They also watch TV and movies. But I don't let them do it because I think it is good for them.

I think Johnson glosses over the addiction and physical and mental health issues that lead to personal and family problems that can come from game-playing and being a couch potato. I read a study a few years ago about how kids and adults are cranky after getting up from staring at a screen. So, they continue sitting there because sub-consciously they know they are going to be in a bad mood when they finally do get up. I think this stuff is fine, but the amount of time one spends on it should be carefully monitored.

Also, I definitely noticed Johnson avoided discussion of children watching TV. Ever heard of Noggin? Their slogan is: It's like preschool on TV.

Oh goody, I'll save myself a couple hundred bucks on a month on preschool and sit them in front of the TV instead!

Puh-lease.

There's a mountain of evidence that says TV isn't great for kids. Again, I think it is all about making a balanced life. I'm a reality-TV watching West Winger, but I'm not going to pat myself on the back at night because I just fed my brain tuning in.