Introduction
Television holds a very important purpose in the lives of every viewer. The perception of whether this particular purpose is a bad one or a good one is entirely dependent on the viewer. An article written by Steven Johnson and titled Watching TV Makes You Smarter appeared in the New York Times in the year 2005. This particular article has generated a lot of debate on whether television makes the viewer more intelligent or dumber. In the article, Johnson blatantly suggests and asserts that watching television actually makes us, the viewers smarter. He begins his article with a statement that says that television watching is actually helpful to the human brain and not harmful as thought by many. Johnson tries to prove his assertion by using logic and also by seeming knowledgeable and credible about the particular subject matter.
Johnson is set up with a very strong ethos by the New York Times Magazine. The magazine states that he has already authored seven books with the eighth one on the way. It even goes ahead and lists some of the books. The ethos also explains that Johnson is a contributor to various publications like Wired and Discover. In addition he is a journalism teacher at New York University. All this information is supposed to convince the reader that he is indeed credible.
Johnson also attempts to present ethos to himself. He wants to convince everyone that he is knowledgeable and also credible. He efficiently does this by his statement of facts at the uttermost beginning. For example, he states the network, the day, the controversial time and the exact time of airing, the opposing argument’s background, his argument and the reason that supports his arguments. The opening sentence of the article is a good example of this where he gives us the date of airing of the program and the network which aired the program. There is also another portion where he gives a vivid description of the program 24 including specific episodes and the themes and topics encompassed in that particular episode.
He further drives home the following points; ethics, morality and issue of the relatively newer shows are not being high, simple minded vs. complex entertainment, numbing vs. enhancing power of the brain and finally the positive and negative messages that are displayed in programs.
Johnson indicates that the modern shows are generally becoming darker but he however states that they are exhibiting more realism to a certain point. He claims that this is basically a reflection of the new world and that the shows are in reality showing the true nature of the current world without sugar-coating anything.
Johnson states that the belief among people that television shows have become harmful and highly inadequate as children learning basis is quite misguided. Parents have even started to prevent their children from watching television at all. Johnson states that this should stop.
Johnson points out the fact that story lines and plots are becoming more complex, there is the presence of gray areas with the abandonment of black and white nature of previous programs. This therefore calls for the viewer to pay close attention in order to grasp and understand what is really going on. The overall effect of this is that it stimulates us to apply and enhance the thinking skills that we possess.
Johnson constantly makes use of a phrase that he calls the Sleeping Curve. This makes us to constantly pay attention so that we can understand what is essentially happening or going on. A common example is in politics where one has to listen to all the good as well as bad viewpoints so that he or she can truly comprehend what is being said or what is happening.
He also makes constant reference to multithreading. This is the complexity and the multiplicity of story lines in a television show. Although makes use of both old shows like Hill State Blues and new shows like the Sopranos to support his arguments, the notion that is displayed is that he is only using self expert knowledge and not one that is borrowed.
Johnson also addresses the current and past societal beliefs. The belief appeals are displayed in the part where he is describing how mass culture has been following a path that has been declining towards low standards that are accepted by everyone. A values appeal is made when he state how the shows that glorify violence and smoking are considered bad while those that advocate against pregnancy are considered to have positive impacts on the culture of the society for the last 50 years or so.
These statements act as support to the pathos of the argument that he is trying to bring forward. However, a particular downside to this is that they only work if one does not really look for the source of his information. This again makes it seem like he is relying solely on his expert opinion.
Johnson definitely perfected the art of timing in writing his article. The kairos that he used was relatively still current. It was still under hot debate. Such a time is the best to write on a controversial subject, when the controversy surrounding it has not died. If written at another time no one would really be interested in it.
The importance of intelligence in the society is becoming stronger and stronger every day. It is becoming imperative that one gains or acquires intelligence and finds ways of improving the one that he or she already possess. Since the current society is largely known as one that constantly watches television, it is very essential that we therefore know the role that television plays in our lives, whether it makes one dumb, dumber, smart or smarter.
In summary, my opinion is that the best way to understand and better the curve of learning of future, past and present generations is by watching the shows while having a positive mentality or learning mind. The emphasis made by Johnson on the television criteria learning is very comprehensive. It cannot be denied that there are shows on certain channels and networks that are harmful and not helpful at all, but it is entirely an individual’s choice on what shows to watch. Johnson is just trying to give the essential factors to consider should we choose to watch television as a learning tool. An open mind to all kinds of opinions and subjects will lead to the effectiveness of the messages or sentiments being expressed. An open mind will also help us to except the media challenge to see whether we indeed have televised intelligence.
Works Cited
Johnson, Steven. "Watching TV Makes You Smarter." New York Times Magazine [New York] 24 Apr. 2005: n. pag. Print.
