Popular Culture makes us Smarter

capt_buzzard · Post by **capt_buzzard** » Fri May 20, 2005 7:06 am

Internet games, video Games and even TV reality game fans, must stop feeling guilty. Pop culture is good for you, according to a new book.

''Everything Bad is Good For You, And actually makes Us Smarter''.

Television and movies help children develop problem-solving and reasoning skills as well as emotional intelligence.

Author of the book Steven Johnson says the reaction has been intense. ''I've had a few people who were filled with rage'' he said in a recent interview.

The premise of the book is that in the past 30 to 40 years,television and movies have become more complex, with programs like '' The Sopranos'' juggling dozens of characters and plot lines.

In comparison, older simple, linear shows like 'Dragnet' and 'Starsky and Hutch' made few demands on viewers.

At the some time, Video games have developed from simple repetitive games like 'Zelda', which depict complicated and challenging interactive worlds.

Steven Johnson emphasises that he is not arguing that children should watch more tv or play video games six hours a day, just that moderate exposure to them is not bad in itself.

minks · Post by **minks** » Fri May 20, 2005 8:38 am

capt_buzzard wrote: Internet games, video Games and even TV reality game fans, must stop feeling guilty. Pop culture is good for you, according to a new book.

''Everything Bad is Good For You, And actually makes Us Smarter''.

Television and movies help children develop problem-solving and reasoning skills as well as emotional intelligence.

Author of the book Steven Johnson says the reaction has been intense. ''I've had a few people who were filled with rage'' he said in a recent interview.

The premise of the book is that in the past 30 to 40 years,television and movies have become more complex, with programs like '' The Sopranos'' juggling dozens of characters and plot lines.

In comparison, older simple, linear shows like 'Dragnet' and 'Starsky and Hutch' made few demands on viewers.

At the some time, Video games have developed from simple repetitive games like 'Zelda', which depict complicated and challenging interactive worlds.

Steven Johnson emphasises that he is not arguing that children should watch more tv or play video games six hours a day, just that moderate exposure to them is not bad in itself.

But of course...I have gained so much "smarts" from watching things like "the nick and jessica show" ahahahahahahahaha hohohohoh maybe we ought to open up books a wee bit more and get away from the other junk out there me thinks.

capt_buzzard · Post by **capt_buzzard** » Fri May 20, 2005 2:56 pm

minks wrote: But of course...I have gained so much "smarts" from watching things like "the nick and jessica show" ahahahahahahahaha hohohohoh maybe we ought to open up books a wee bit more and get away from the other junk out there me thinks.

hohohohoho

minks · Post by **minks** » Fri May 20, 2005 3:00 pm

capt_buzzard wrote:

hohohohoho

there is always some form of entertainment whilst sitting on ones ass

john8pies · Post by **john8pies** » Fri May 20, 2005 4:37 pm

Yeah, I did read this report but I `m inclined to treat it with a pinch of salt (since kids leaving schools who have an abundance of this `culture` seem to be getting dumber and dumber in academic stuff)

capt_buzzard · Post by **capt_buzzard** » Fri May 20, 2005 4:42 pm

Some kids here are actually doing school via the internet. They tell us its the future.