Suraj ReddyAtkinsENGWR 101 MW9.11.13Response 2(B): "Watching TV, Thinking Outside"According to Stephen Johnson, the "sleeper curve" is popular media growing and becoming more complex every year with a lot of violence, is actually nutritional and instead of being the evil in our society, is making us smarter. Johnson thinks it's important because it helps the mental development of young people today by enhancing our cognitive faculties. Johnson thinks that television gives us cognitive benefits in paying attention, making inferences and track ...view middle of the document...
Stevens then criticizes Johnson for not mentioning the recent controversies and terrorism in 24, and that he fails to account the commercials that interrupt the show.Common sense seems to dictate that watching too much TV is bad for you and that it doesn't make you smarter. In my own view, I agree with Stevens that watching TV does not make you any smarter. Stevens advocates that shows such as ER and 24 are only,"good at teaching you to think…about future episodes..." In Stevens view, watching all those hit dramas, 24 and ER will not increase your IQ anymore than the person who does not watch TV. I understand the logic behind Johnson's claim that shows with more complex story lines and loads of multi-threading can have a higher cognitive value when compared to the less complex and intense shows. However I am not convinced that watching these shows, is actually more beneficial then reading a novel, playing a round of chess, or any other activity. Johnson failed to prove that there were any legit benefits to watching TV over any other intellectual activity. Watching TV does not make you smarter, so don't kid yourself into thinking TV will make you any smarter.