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Bad for You: Exposing the War on Fun
SHOULD U.S. COMICS BE BANNED?
“SATANIC” HARRY POTTER BOOKS BURNT
PLAYGROUNDS POSE THREAT TO CHILDREN
TEXT-MAD YOUTH LOSING WRITING ABILITIES
CHILD SUSPENDED FOR BRANDISHING CHICKEN
SOCIAL WEBSITES HARM CHILDREN’S BRAINS
STUDENT ARRESTED FOR “PASSING GAS” AT SCHOOL
These are all real headlines screaming about the terrible stuff that’s out there . . . stuff that’s supposed to be B ...more
“SATANIC” HARRY POTTER BOOKS BURNT
PLAYGROUNDS POSE THREAT TO CHILDREN
TEXT-MAD YOUTH LOSING WRITING ABILITIES
CHILD SUSPENDED FOR BRANDISHING CHICKEN
SOCIAL WEBSITES HARM CHILDREN’S BRAINS
STUDENT ARRESTED FOR “PASSING GAS” AT SCHOOL
These are all real headlines screaming about the terrible stuff that’s out there . . . stuff that’s supposed to be B ...more
Paperback, 192 pages
Published
2014
by Henry Holt and Co. BYR Paperbacks
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Community Reviews
(showing 1-30)
This book should be required reading. It is all true stories about stupid people having control doing oppressive, totalitarian, and unconstitutional things to children, sometimes with impunity, told in a manner that is both humorous and scary.
This review is of an ARC.
A little sloppy. Dangling asterisks, spelling errors and consistent use of "it's" instead of "its" WILL make some readers crazy. Citing study results without conveying the name, date, or sponsoring institution (not even in the bibliography) chips at the book's credibility. BUT. The topics are interesting, the tone is engaging, and the book introduces important concepts (media panic, correlation does not imply causation, flaws of self-reported surveys, etc) and uses logi ...more
A little sloppy. Dangling asterisks, spelling errors and consistent use of "it's" instead of "its" WILL make some readers crazy. Citing study results without conveying the name, date, or sponsoring institution (not even in the bibliography) chips at the book's credibility. BUT. The topics are interesting, the tone is engaging, and the book introduces important concepts (media panic, correlation does not imply causation, flaws of self-reported surveys, etc) and uses logi ...more
This book is a great read about the "War on Fun" and how children across the nation and the world have been restricted from doing many different things because they are supposedly dangerous or harmful to children. Although it is also a large opinion piece, it also presents a myriad of facts and is a great read. I definitely recommend it to anyone who is interested in this sort of thing.
What a fun book. Really well researched stories of all kinds of bad things - comic books, video - and many other kinds of games, cell phones - anything that might present kids with opportunities to experience fun. Love this one. Will be book talking it for summer reading, for sure!
Very good book. Throws a lots of stats info at us after warning us not to let stats quoters confuse cause and effect with correlation. Quick read. Are we becoming a country that stifles creativity and restricts our youth too much?
This is, perhaps, a bit on the simplistic side, but then again, it's not really aimed at the almost-50 demographic. My library had this shelved with the YA titles, which sounds about right. It's only my lifelong interest in the subject matter that prompted me to check it out.
So this is a book about moral panics and fear of whatever it is the kids are into these days. Among the various topics covered are the so-called corrupting and/or harmful influences of comics, fantasy novels, videogames, Dun ...more
So this is a book about moral panics and fear of whatever it is the kids are into these days. Among the various topics covered are the so-called corrupting and/or harmful influences of comics, fantasy novels, videogames, Dun ...more
I was drawn to Bad For You, released in 2014, because it appeared to be about the exact topic of my 2001 thesis: moral panics over youth culture and juvenile delinquency. In 100 pages of text, I reviewed how the press has portrayed comic books, rock 'n roll, Dungeons & Dragons, and video games as causal to the corruption of youth.
With the exception of rock 'n roll, Bad For You covers these topics in five broad categories of activities that children are discouraged or barred from enjoying: co ...more
With the exception of rock 'n roll, Bad For You covers these topics in five broad categories of activities that children are discouraged or barred from enjoying: co ...more
Sep 29, 2014
Alan
rated it
liked it
Recommends it for:
Helicopter parents, nanny states, and their ubiquitous victims
Recommended to Alan by:
That eye-catching cover and topical theme
Bad for You could be very good for you, but—seriously—don't let that put you off. Cleverly disguised as a graphic novel (the promiscuous mingling of drawings and text being, of course, one of the many things that self-appointed experts have claimed are bad for you), this slender volume actually contains a whole series of lively, well-researched and well-illustrated essays about "moral panics" through the ages—and why uncritically accepting fearmongers' claims is probably worse for you than any o
...more
Loved this! Nothing makes kids (or anyone) more passionate than telling them they can't...can't read comic books, can't play D&D, can't skateboard, can't play on the playground...
Pyle does a terrific job of searching down and fleshing out sories of movemets designed to 'protect' kids, which are really about control, and (MY WORD), disrespect children.
He does an excellent job of seating each of his 'bad for you' campaigns in history...going back to the names and leaders, and quoting people in ...more
Pyle does a terrific job of searching down and fleshing out sories of movemets designed to 'protect' kids, which are really about control, and (MY WORD), disrespect children.
He does an excellent job of seating each of his 'bad for you' campaigns in history...going back to the names and leaders, and quoting people in ...more
I wish I had bought two copies. Why? Because I’m constantly wanting to show something I’ve just read to a friend… But when I do, I can’t get them to give
the book back.
"Bad for You" is a Bizzaro World look at truth presented in a way that feels like you aren’t reading to get smarter. Full of irony, surprising bits of history, and yes — all those things that we do that we’re told will destroy our minds and turn us into psychopaths, but somehow don’t. If you have kids, read it. It’ll save you from ...more
the book back.
"Bad for You" is a Bizzaro World look at truth presented in a way that feels like you aren’t reading to get smarter. Full of irony, surprising bits of history, and yes — all those things that we do that we’re told will destroy our minds and turn us into psychopaths, but somehow don’t. If you have kids, read it. It’ll save you from ...more
This is a look at all the times adults have criticised the fun things kids like to do, from comics and video games to social media to the printing press and even the written word.
This book is a blend of comic book and normal book, which helps because sine of the material is dry. (But warning: An e-ink reader is not a good option). It is thoroughly researched, and probably has plenty of examples you've never heard before (with footnotes, which I appreciate)
But I don't know if this book would chan ...more
This book is a blend of comic book and normal book, which helps because sine of the material is dry. (But warning: An e-ink reader is not a good option). It is thoroughly researched, and probably has plenty of examples you've never heard before (with footnotes, which I appreciate)
But I don't know if this book would chan ...more
Spotted this on the library shelf and it sounded interesting.
Complete with a lurid cover reminiscent of the classic 1950's EC Comics, this middle-grade book takes a look at all the stuff that is supposed to be bad for kids/teens (comic books, video games, skateboarding) and whether or not it really is. Surprisingly well researched, with many historical references, this engagingly illustrated and pleasantly snarky book would be a great resource for social studies teachers or anyone wanting to ch ...more
Complete with a lurid cover reminiscent of the classic 1950's EC Comics, this middle-grade book takes a look at all the stuff that is supposed to be bad for kids/teens (comic books, video games, skateboarding) and whether or not it really is. Surprisingly well researched, with many historical references, this engagingly illustrated and pleasantly snarky book would be a great resource for social studies teachers or anyone wanting to ch ...more
This is such an amazing book! Bad for You is an extremely interesting book that kids will love! Exposing the lies and silliness of "experts" and and disproving the theories of misguided parents, Bad for You explores everything you thought would hurt you- and more! With statistical evidences, anecdotes, and comics, Bad for You is truly awesome. One of the best books I've read all year!
This book was overall okay. I felt like it contained a lot and could have been better organized. Otherwise there were a lot of great concepts that I think kids would be interested about and I liked the comic book formatting of it.
An informative, entertaining look at the many things stupid adults have tried to keep kids from enjoying and experiencing.
Excellent summary of issues that seem to set adults against youth: comics, censorship, play, education, technology, and communication.
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