The dumbest generation by Mark Bauerlein - Essay Example

Critical Analysis Paper Throughout his book, Bauerlein concentrates on how the digital era has displaced the common and normal human life, impacting young Americans. The author compares his time period to the current generation (under thirty years of age) in terms of education and their mode of communication. After discovering the many transformations that have taken place, the author refutes technological advancements claiming that they have done more harm than good to the young generation. In chapter one, knowledge deficits, the author embarks on statistical data generated from surveys to explain how the youth are performing poorly in all aspects of life. After comparing the 2005 and 1995 test scores, the author claims that the American youth performed poorly in 2005 because of their over reliance on information technology instead of concentrating on books (Bauerlein 10). The author, however, does not recognize the role of parents, teachers and the community in education because they too contribute to academic performance. He does not appreciate the fact that young people are getting more information from the internet as opposed to what teachers and books can offer. In chapter two, the new bibliophobes, Bauerlein disagrees with idea of the youth retrieving information from the internet instead of reading books. He believes that it only books, which have relevant and reliable information for the young people. He considers their over reliance on media gadgets as waste of time. This is not true because the internet helps young people to learn more. All the material and information available in books is in the internet and it, therefore, becomes cheaper for them to acquire it. Bauerlein, however, refutes this, claiming that internet e-literacy unlike improving knowledge (Bauerlein 15). In chapter 3, Screen time, the author explains that children spend most of their leisure time on screens instead of doing valuable tasks. He adds that this affected learning because young people under the age of thirty years cannot read hundred page book. He compares the current generation to his generation, without appreciating the changes that have taken place because of technological advancements. According to Bauerlein, the more the youth depend on the internet, the less their talents, vocabulary and memory develop because they only achieve online experience. Chapter four of the book discusses online learning and non-learning. Bauerlein embarks on his own research to explain that the ICT knowledge gained by the youth through use of internet is insufficient. He gives an analysis done after students joining college education exhibited little or no knowledge on information technology, which could deem them fit in using ICT for their academic work. According to him, use of internet devices like skype, text messaging and cellphones have rendered the young generation unfit in higher levels of learning. He argues that technology has worked best in confusing the young generation, most especially those in schools. He claims that lack of expertise in the use of ICT in academic work has been influenced by learning of pop culture, which is available in the internet, instead of searching valuable information related to history, civic values and philosophy. Bauerlein critiques efforts put by mentor and educators in funding the digital program in chapter five, the betrayal of the mentors. He blames them for taking their position in advocating for technology, which has influenced the changes experienced among the youth in the contemporary society. He claims that by failing to emphasize the need and importance of using books for their studies, teachers have served to betray the young people. Additionally, he refutes the ongoing efforts that teachers are putting in their educational programs and the inclusion of digital media as part of school program. This is because he believes that whatever the young people are taught in schools is not sufficient to help them in challenging and meeting the needs of the future. In chapter six, Bauerlein explains how the traditional culture has been undermined in chapter six. He claims that educators, especially teachers and teachers do not encourage learners to learn about their culture, but rather encourage them to embark on digital media to source for all information they require. He gives an example of identity as something that should be established from studying traditional values. However, he explains that educators have turned away from laying emphasis on traditional values in establishing identity. According to him, the form of opposition evidenced on traditional values has led to evolvement of a young generation, which is unable to confront the future due to lack of profound knowledge. Section 2 Bauerlein argues that the evolution of media technology has stupefied the minds of the young generation through learning of pop culture, which has promoted rejection and the appreciation of traditional values and knowledge. This raises the question “should education be centered on reading traditional books written centuries ago? Basing argument on his claims, it is clear that the author has no foundation to which he can base his arguments. For instance, he claims that learners do not acquire profound knowledge which can support them in confronting the future. He, however, does not define the form of knowledge he is referring to in this sense. Bauerlein does not appreciate the various existing media in which one can acquire information necessary to improving knowledge. The question evolved here is “is science and technology not sufficient in pioneering education? His lack of appreciation for incorporation of technology in learning is a clear indication that he is adamant to change. Generations have come and passed throughout life, each with its own features. The emergence of technology, which has been adopted by young people under the age of thirty years, should be welcomed by all individuals. This is because the evident changes are in line with the current generation, the reason why Bauerlein considers them unfit and unnecessary. Bauerlein further blames mentors and teachers for being advocates of media technology, which has influenced the young generation. He wants them to lay emphasis on traditional knowledge and values, instead of replacing the old system of learning with digital technology. Is change not as good as rest? Bauerlein is not appreciative of the efforts that teachers and mentors are putting to ensure that learners are in line with the current needs of life. Technology has helped both teachers and the young people to access information quickly and cheaply as opposed to purchasing books. It has facilitated access to variety of reading materials, which would not be available without income. This has helped in saving time, which could be spent researching for information in books. Additionally, internet offers a wide variety of materials for learners to choose from. This means that they can make comparisons and depend on reliable information as opposed to use of books where one will depend on work from a single author. By contrast, Bauerlein argues, “young Americans need someone somewhere in their lives to reveal to them bigger and better human stories” (Bauerlein 67). The question is, “are what the teachers are offering and the available information on internet not sufficient?” Bauerlein refutes the contributions of contemporary digital media to the learning of civic values, claiming that young people use these devices to download materials, which promote the learning of pop culture. Culture refers to people’s way of life. Learning of culture has existed since the history of human creation. Additionally, pop culture has existed for many decades and generations have been learning it. The only difference is the manner in which information concerning pop culture has been made available to these generations. The question is, “did Bauerlein learn pop culture during his time?” This is because he does not appreciate young people learning pop culture, which has been available through music. Modern music and performance has been improved by animation and video clips as opposed to earlier decades. Everything else has remained the same, but Bauerlein does not agree with this fact. He wants to make it appear like the young generation has introduced a new product in the music industry. Conversely, he blames the young generation for using digital gadgets in downloading movies. Downloading movies is cheaper compared to paying for a live performance. Going by Bauerleins claims, one would ask, "what makes a movie worse than a play?" attending a live performance and watching a downloaded movie will all serve to promote and appreciate the culture. This is a clear indication that Bauerlein is just making claims without sufficient information to offer convincing explanations. Section 3 The arguments made by Bauerlein throughout his book made me develop questions on whether we are the Dumbest Generation. Mark Bauerlein argues that advancements in modern communication have affected the young people negatively, by making them less intelligent. He adds that they have insufficient knowledge about culture and traditional values. He, however, claims that the young generation has been highly influenced by technology, which has affected their mindsets and thinking. The arguments presented by Bauerlein offer sufficient information that qualify the young adults to be called the dumbest generation. This is because he does not appreciate change and thus does not see the significance and contributions of technology. By contrast, educational mentors and teachers support the advances in technology, which have seen the introduction of the digital era and systems in the current generation. Technological developers argue that digital media has improved students knowledge through sufficient information that is available online. The intellectual revolution that young adults are experiencing does not qualify them to be referred as the dumbest generation. Maybe science and technology have not helped in engineering education. But focusing on both positive and negative aspects of technology, which have influenced the under thirty generation, one would claim that it has done more good than harm. We should appreciate the fact that change is as good as rest and allow the young generation to live. Technological advancements are an improvement of whatever has been, and the young generation has not been confused by any advancement in the modern world. Learning of pop culture is necessary and the various improvements that the current generation has made in music industry need to be appreciated. Technological advancements have replaced the traditional ways of doing things, improving people’s ability and thinking. It has challenged the minds of the modern generation, improving their logical capabilities, a factor that has contributed to the existing differences between them and the past generation. Bauerlein’s lack of appreciation for the digital media makes him develop harsh and insufficient claims against the current generation. It is clear that the changes seen in the contemporary young adults has been contributed by their appreciation of changes brought by technology and thus cannot be referred as the dumbest generation. In conclusion, although The Dumbest offers various claims against technological advancements, it is clear that Bauerlein did not take time to weigh the pros and cons of the digital media. Bauerlein is harsh with the changes he has experienced with the under thirties because he does not appreciate them as a different generation. Bauerlein, however, should respect the fact that each generation has its own features and that the modern young adults are characterized by technological innovations. Work Cited Bauerlein, Mark. The dumbest generation: How the digital age stupefies young Americans and jeopardizes our future (or, do not trust anyone under 30). Penguin. com, 2008: 1-136. Print. Read More