The Dark Side

Summary:
Grown up Digital, by Don Tapscott, attempts to rebut some criticisms of what he calls the “net generation,” which includes people from ages 11 to 30. Other authors have written books filled with these criticisms, Tapscott picks the ten most common ones, one of which is that we are “screenagers” who spend too much time online, time that could be spent socializing, playing sports or other healthy activities. A generation of socially awkward and overweight people has resulted from so much time spent online and less frequent face to face conversations. He cites Mothers Against Videogame Addiction and Violence (MAVAV) who credit video games as the fastest growing endangerment to kids and even say video game addiction is comparable to drug and alcohol abuse.

Response:
While it is true that my generation does spent time online or texting, a lot of it is actually spent being social. When I am on facebook I am often chatting with friends and staying involved in the lives of people that I would otherwise have no access to. I understand the value of face to face interaction but sometimes it is much quicker to just give some a text than to drive to their house to ask a question. Also, you can socialize with more people than one at a time. It could be argued that this is actually being more social than a face to face conversation with only one person. Many games are played online with 12 or so other players and there is a chat feature, enabling one to socialize with people they wouldn’t have known otherwise.

MAVAV is actually a parody website that seemingly plays off the other Mothers against .... websites.
It was probably not the best source for Tapscott to cite because there is not actually a group actively
trying to educate parents on the dangers of video game addiction. Regardless of the validity of the source
I think it says something about our society and how there are groups campaigning for some very
ridiculous causes. Also, many games are played online with 12 or so other players and there is a chat feature, enabling one to socialize with people they wouldn’t have known otherwise.

Fascination with the Shore

Over Christmas break Americans were introduced to some of the dumbest, yet most entertaining, people ever to appear on TV. Im talking about the crew living on the Shores of New Jersey. They are a previously undiscovered species, Guidos. Everyone is captivated by their sexually charged dancing, fighting on the boardwalk, their daily routines of GTL. Gym, tanning and laundry followed by an night full of grinding, being classless and fist pumping.

I watched one episode not expecting to every watch again but I could not stop watching. Every thursday when the new episodes would come out I was there front and center. Why are people so entertained by stuff like this? It's such cheap entertainment but nevertheless entertaining. Has anyone else tuned in to the shore?

I think this show might appeal to a multitude of people because it makes people happier with their own life. While it is not the most moral undertaking to compare your attitude, manners and lifestyle to those on the Shore, it is very hard to avoid. Some shows appeal to the general public by displaying lifestyles that people envy. I can't begin to express the number of girls I have heard wish they lived the lives of characters on Gossip Girl or the OC. However, I think that Jersey Shore appeals to the majority because they do not envy the lives of the people on the show.

Honestly it is probably a healthier show to watch for self-esteem and moral reasons. My mother always used to tell me, "You can't be envious and happy at the same time." The older I get and the more people I meet the more I realize the truth in this quote. If you are constantly envious of what others have you will never be able to take a look at your own blessing and talents and be satisfied with what you do have. I think envy is one of the worst emotions, it is very strong and can easily lead to poor decisions. A show like Jersey Shore does little to foster envy at least from my perspective but it provides an outlet for entertainment, which is just what people are looking for after a long day.