AJ's review
Everything Bad Is Good for You: How Today's Popular Culture Is Actually Making Us Smarter
by Steven Johnson
AJ's review
Everything Bad Is Good for You: How Today's Popular Culture Is Actually Making Us Smarter by Steven Johnson
AJ's review
rating:
bookshelves:
do-not-own,
library,
nonfiction
This is a very intriguing book that makes the argument that instead of being dumbed down and depraved, today's popular culture is actually complex, thought-provoking and is helping make people smarter. The argument goes along the lines that today's movies, television shows, Internet media and video games are far more complex than ever before, which forces the users of these forms of media to think critically, make connections, analyze details and think beyond just staring at the screen.
I loved the video game chapter. I think that people who complain that video games are stupid have never played them. Games such as Zelda (my personal favorites) are like huge puzzles; the entire game, and every mini quest within it forces you to take stock of what you have and what you know, and from there make a guess at what you need to do going forward, all the while mapping out and navigating through a huge 3D world filled with a bunch of unique characters. (Although, I must say I was annoyed tha...more
I loved the video game chapter. I think that people who complain that video games are stupid have never played them. Games such as Zelda (my personal favorites) are like huge puzzles; the entire game, and every mini quest within it forces you to take stock of what you have and what you know, and from there make a guess at what you need to do going forward, all the while mapping out and navigating through a huge 3D world filled with a bunch of unique characters. (Although, I must say I was annoyed tha...more
