From the Horses Mouth to the Human Brain

The distinguished author Ray Bradbury does indeed denounce the common belief that his book Fahrenheit 451 is about censorship and indicates that it is about the negative effects television has had (or at the time of publication will have) on culture, based on the “bombardment of factoids”.

http://www.raybradbury.com/at_home_clips.html#       (choose the censorship clip)

This is hard to argue since the esteemed author claims this himself.  However, isn’t any government regulation of what is and what is not ok to read or watch censorship in itself?  Isn’t any group forced to go underground to preserve literary works of any kind (The group that Guy Montag ended up with at the end of the book) a direct result of censorship?  Regardless of what position you take on the meaning of Mr. Bradbury’s work, the question at hand is whether or not today’s media (specifically television and internet) have destroyed our ability to think critically about ideas.

The internet has provided us with a plethora of information right at our fingertips.  There is most definitely a benefit to having available whatever information, whenever we want it, and nearly wherever we are.  However, the downfall to this is an overabundance and multitude of site after site that ultimately serves to confuse, overwhelm, and convolute much of the information being sought out.  Credibility becomes ever-more questioned and verifiability ever-more difficult.  The adage more is less and less is more speaks to this problem well.  In addition, the internet provides a constant stream of endless videos and news feeds to barrage the user in often a passive form just as television does. 

Recent research by UCLA psychology professor Patricia Greenfield in a published article in Science Daily reflects on the effects technology and media has had in declining critical thinking. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090128092341.htm

 Professor Greenfield concedes that current technology and media has improved our “visual literacy” and multi tasking abilities. However, the reduction in reading for pleasure has had a detrimental effect on critical thinking.  Professor Greenfield states, “Studies show that reading develops imagination, induction, reflection and critical thinking, as well as vocabulary”.  She goes on to say that, “most visual media are real-time media that do not allow time for reflection analysis or imagination—those do not get developed by real time –media such as television or video games”.  Several of the studies analyzed by Professor Greenfield show that students had less distraction and better performance after didactic lecture when internet access during the lecture was removed and news tickers were removed from newscasts.  Television specifically is largely visual media, and minutely literary.  Because of this viewers tend to watch television in a passive role verses an active one. 

Another article written by Lynn Berry and supported by research from Dr. Aric Sigman, Professor Herbert Krugman and The World Federation of Neurology suggests that watching television affects our critical thinking skills and abilities.

http://www.naturalnews.com/024530.html

 Berry states, “The world’s biggest leisure activity is watching television……..television is a controlling medium, relaxing us enough to switch off our analytical brain so that we uncritically, or un-logically, process the information beaming from the television.  This means we are less able to make decisions or judgments about what we hear on television”.  He goes on to explain through scientific evidence that we turn off the left side of our brains (the side we use for critical thinking) when we watch television.  Similar to what happens when someone undergoes hypnosis.  This places the individual in a sort of semi consciousness where our minds are in a heightened influential state.  This is why television is the perfect medium used by advertisers.

Finally, are television and the internet destroying Americans ability to read and think critically about ideas?  The answer is an unequivocal yes.  Televisions’ impact on this decline is greater than that of the internet.  This is largely due to the greater passive role of viewers watching television verses a larger active role while using the internet.  However the internet plays a significant role in the decline of critical thinking due to the multitude and barrage of information found on the internet.  This barrage requires a greater amount of time spent on verifying sources, and wading through the muck and the mud to find related, reliable, and accurate information.  Television is a passive source of entertainment that allows all of us to zone out, tune out, veg out, and turn off our minds.  It is no wonder that the parents of my generation coined the name for television as the “boob tube”. 

Picture used with permission
copyright by Brad Fitzpatrick
http://www.bradfitzpatrick.com/illustration/tv-zoning-out-illustration/

What, How, and Why

What How and Why

The actual quote is “Those who know what, and those who know how, work for those who know why.”  The author of this quote is Zig Ziglar (Hilary Hinton Ziglar) motivational speaker and author. (View a video clip of Zig Ziglar talking about goals)  http://www.nightingale.com/offers/goals2.html?promo=intovera615&org=intovera615 Or view information about Zig Ziglar in his newsletter. http://www.ziglar.com/newsletter/?tag=zig-ziglar


 In simplest forms the most successful people have a grasp of the “why” while those that only grasp what to do and how to do it support the success of the former.  What does this have to do with critical thinking? Easy….By understanding the “why” we are asking ourselves questions like: What is the purpose and what is the intended result?  When we are able to answer these questions, we are able to effectively weigh out the different potential methods of carrying out the tasks necessary to accomplish the final goal, and effectively consider the potential consequences of the end result. In other words, we understand what the intended result is, we understand different methods of achieving that goal, and we understand that other potential results may be achieved whether they are intended or desirable.  Those who know what to do and how to do those tasks are simply following blindly, with closed minds to no real means of an end.  Look at this quote in the respect of any job or profession. Such as it is understanding the why is the basis of analyzing any content or situation critically.  http://www.criticalthinking.org/aboutCT/ourConceptCT.cfm  The following link also provides good information on the importance of understanding the why: http://greatday.com/motivate/101016.html

Most employment has a hierarchy that includes general workers, and supervisors.  Now in most cases the workers are those that are proficient in the “what and how”; the supervisors are expected to be proficient in the why.  A great example to use is that of a hiearchy within a Fire Department in respects to operations staff.  A typical hiearchy in this type of organization consists of firefighters, engineers, captains, and varying levels of chiefs.  It is a paramilitary structure and maintains a strict chain of command.  This is why it fits so well in Zig’s quote.  The lowest levels clearly fit into the category of what and how, and the higher you climb in this hierarchy moves you into the why category. 

Let us clarify this:  Choose any position you want in this employment tier.  You are called to a structure fire, as a firefighter, you know how to use the equipment and what to do to put the fire out.  As an Engineer in addition to knowing how and what to do as a firefighter, you know how to use the equipment and what to do to operate the apparatus and provide water and support for the firefighters putting the fire out. The Captain knows the how and what of the previous positions as well as an understanding why the equipment is used a certain way to put the fire out.  The captain understands this through more knowledge in tactics, strategies, fire behavior and experience.  In other words he has a better understanding of why equipment and procedures are utilized and employed to accomplish the task of putting the fire out.  The varying levels of chief theoretically should have the highest understanding of the why.  These are the individuals that create the policies and procedures to effectively combat the fire even before the fire happens.  These are the individuals that understand what the intended result is, the different methods of achieving those goals, and that other potential results may be achieved whether they are intended or desirable.

“Those who know what, and those who know how, work for those who know why” is a prime example of those who employ critical thinking skills become more successful. 

Internet- Societal Friend or Foe

The greatest effect technology has had in altering human society in recent years has to be the development and emergence of the internet.  This information superhighway (probably the most discussed topic in technology) brings to its users inclusive access to an interactive medium enabling them abilities and access to so much more than pre internet generations.  The internet is a platform for people from all walks of life to engage in social networking, freedom of speech, enhanced educational opportunities and near unlimited research capabilities.  The information superhighway has also created many markets for businesses, and consumers.  The greatest likely being in markets associated with music, movies and gaming.  Other markets include access for consumers to purchase most anything imaginable from widgets, to multi- million dollar homes and everything in between.  Along with so many purchasing options for the consumer, the internet opens the door to criminals and wayward souls. Id theft, scams, and pornography have gripped the dark corners of this new medium and offer the same ease of use with fewer prohibitions.  The question however remains; has the ease of access to all of this information had a negative or a positive impact on society?   Ultimately, you must decide!  Let us examine a few of these technological wonders or atrocities depending on which side of the popular culture argument you stand.  Perhaps the most ambiguous and largest aspect of the internet is the ease of access to information, therefore, one in which we will focus our attention.

Ease of access to information on the internet can allow someone from Cottonwood, Arizona to visit and study culture, geography, and history of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, Perth, Western Australia, or just about any other place.  Access to educational research, local or national news/entertainment, and a huge platform for freedom of speech with the ability to post opinions at a whim (like this blog post!) are unlimited.  Social networking; finally the ability to speak with friends and family across the world through the data transfer of ones and zeros all converted to a recognizable language that the individual receiving can read and understand.  Some might argue that these are the winds of change, inevitable progress, and only the beginning of future possibilities beyond our wildest imaginations.  For example, in a recent debate titled Popular Culture: The Future is Junk; sponsored by the St. James Ethic Center, Sydney morning Herald, and ABC. (Australia’s public broadcaster) debater Tom Crago, CEO of Tantalus Media states in reference to his fellow debaters, “Collectively we three stand before you this evening a best-selling, laugh out loud funny, highly interactive portrait of optimism for humanity in this millennia.  We take the chipped fervered way of washbowl from our opponent’s glorious imagined version of yesteryear and we scrub our hands clean of their rigidity, their snobbery, and their glum distrust of the next wave of ideas, attitudes, and art.”  He goes on to say in regards to pop culture in the future with relation to the information superhighway that we have a choice “for the old order” or for the “promise of a richer more inclusive social construct built on the back of the information age and the jeweled tenants of equality and freedom of choice.”  The old order argues that necessary classic literary tales are becoming convoluted with the overwhelming personal opinions and dissection of these works by a less conventional educated society. This has created a loss of comprehension of classical writings.  For example; Peter Craven, Literary critic, Journalist, and Editor states in relation to the classic tales of King Arthur, “At some point in our childhood we realize that this King Arthur story has something very solemn at its core.  It’s probably sadder than anything else we’ve known.  When all we wanted was jousting, damsels, and dragons.” and in regards to Huck Finn “on that raft with Black Jim as he drifts down the Mississippi, you know at some level he’s hitting on something deeper than Tom Sawyer did.”  There is no doubt in my mind that the classic literary tales (although still studied by select students and literary professors) are falling by the wayside and receiving less attention by current generations.  These writings are much more prevalent and available for those interested in reading them and studying them.  To inject an age old adage “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink” says it all. 

See entire debate:     

http://fora.tv/2010/02/09/Popular_Culture_Weve_Seen_the_Future_and_Its_Junk

In addition to ease of access to information, the internet provides a solid base for extending educational opportunities to many through programs designed and tailored for online settings.  These work well for people that struggle with the conventional classroom organization for a variety of reasons.  Also, the internet seems to have an endless supply of research materials right at your fingertips.  Pre-internet generations had to wade through stacks and stacks of library card files in efforts to find enough material to conduct adequate research for whatever topic was being studied or written about.  In addition, the material was typically limited to whatever local or school libraries carried or supplied to students.  Now, the downside to limitless information is like (another adage) finding a needle in a haystack.  Pertinent and accurate information is often difficult to decipher through the mass of information found with just one Google search.  Not only does the internet provide us with the wonderful attributes of research and travel, it can also be fun.  Social networking how mindfully addicting has grabbed hold with its grappling hooks and swept across society like a plague. 

Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter, just to name a few consume countless hours in allowing multi generations to stay or get in touch with friends and family.  We can now follow our friends through their daily lives step by step, hour by hour, minute by minute, second by second.  We have the ability to be on vacation with anyone as pictures stream in and out of web pages from mobile uploads, online portrait albums, and video downloads.  As we consume this digital wonder we seem to fall in and out of consciousness. Next thing we know we wonder where the day went and why we suddenly have carpal tunnel syndrome.  Is this a benefit or a detriment to society?  On one hand we communicate on a larger scale with those we may or may not normally socialize or stay in touch with.  On the other hand we have successfully delaminated societies willingness to pay more attention to quality vs. quantity.  When was the last time you wrote a meaningful letter to a loved one?  Me? Not since e-mail and the internet were born.  Sad huh?  Does the mass use of social networking trivialize the important occurrences in our lives?  Do we see so much of each other that if we were to sit and try to have a conversation, would it lead anywhere substantial?  Is there anymore “catching up” to do?  I think these are all good questions to ponder and answer for ourselves.  While we ponder these questions, I have no doubt as a society of multi taskers, downloaders, and tech savvy gurus we will be able to switch gears.  As well as providing a means for companionship, friendship and relations, the internet is also a mass stage for the marketplace.

Business, and consumers drive this market place while selling and purchasing any and everything possibly imagined.  You want it, someone’s got it, and it’s only a click away.  Even obscure items can be found with minimal effort on one of the many search engines.  The questions here are: Has this hurt or helped small business?  Can the Mom and Pop stores continue to exist and operate in a world where the purchasing power lies in the hands of large companies who operate huge cataloged websites to retail their products?  Does the internet afford those same retail opportunities to the small business?  We live in a capitalist society, for us (except in regards to government bailouts) the entrepreneur who sells the best product or service for the right price wins the bid.  The internet has become a great tool for these businesses to increase their selling power and reach many more than ever thought possible before.  Small Mom and Pop shops no longer have to tailor specifically for their local community.  They have the same ability to reach out to their customers as large business owners.  In fact, small business (albeit do not share the same purchasing power in volume) typically have a lower over-head and can remain competitive in this internet based commerce.  Along with all the positive attributes for a healthy capitalistic society through the internet, we will find the amoral and disingenuous entrepreneur lurking in the cyber shadows.

Criminals engaging in id theft scams, scams using social networking websites like face book or My space, scams using retail ads such as craigslist or eBay, and even worse the wayward soul searching the multitude of pornography sites feeding the fuel for an increase in sexual crimes.  The internet has given new tools and innovative ways in which your identity and personal belongings are increasingly at risk.  No longer do we have to only worry about the dumpster divers and ensuring we shred our personal information, hackers that worm their way into large corporation or business files often gain valuable personal data about you and use that information to steal your identity. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIC57kbD_W8

In addition, posting information on social networks as to your whereabouts and home address has spurred an increase in home burglaries when you are away from your home.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HsD31zrSCo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfdFU6l09U8&feature=related

Even worse and darker still are the online predators that now feed on the endless stream of pornography available online.  The internet has created a type of pornographication of society.  No longer do the amoral have to travel to the back rooms of video stores, frequent the adult book stores, or lurk on dark corners to satisfy their demented ways under the premise of an addiction.  It’s all at their fingertips with the help of the internet.  Perhaps the internet’s involvement in the pornographication of society is best described by Film maker Stephen Sewell when he states, “The almost complete demolition of sexual morays, etiquette and behaviors that are hundreds if not thousands of years old, and substituting in their place a 24 hour global peep show to which we are all being led inexorably and turned into perverts by the march of progress.”  Additional information on the effects of the internet and sexual crime rates can be found on the crime in America website

http://crimeinamerica.net/category/sex-offenders/

In conclusion, the internet has the exceptional power to have a positive impact on society as well as de-laminate society as a whole.  Ease of access creates unlimited venues for growth in education, choice in interests, unconstrained communication abilities, opportunities in business and is the supreme consumer friendly shopping mall.  This is what ultimately wins the popular culture contest and affords the internet with the blue ribbon.  Society needs to be careful of losing touch with true history and all the teachings that come from that history as well as find new ways to be ever vigilant and wary against the fundamental atrocities that come with any change.  More may be less, and less may be more dependent on what side of popular culture you reside. 

Okay!!!

I finally got it.  Looking forward to checking this out!