Steven Pinker Mind Over Mass Media Summary

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In Steven Pinker’s article, “Mind Over Mass Media” he argues that every advance in media technology has charge of declining intelligence and morality. Pinker supports the idea that there are intellectual benefits obtained from mass media and that there are positive effects of new media technologies on mental development using some great examples related to our daily life. The author illustrates the intellectual benefits obtained from mass media and argues that the media doesn’t have a negative effect on our brain. His examples are the great American crime decline not because of new technologies like comic books, video games, television and transistor radio mainstream. The predictions that the new technologies would be harmful were wrong. Not only just the …show more content…

He’s absolutely right. He states that self-control and will power is all it takes to not be distracted or drown in the media world. He also states, “The solution is not to bemoan technology but to develop strategies of self-control, as we do with every other temptation in life.” Although there are negative effects that can be experienced, he believes that all humans can choose how much he or she can get sucked into the addictive lifestyle. All negative aspects can be controlled and used in moderation to rake in the benefits using media and technology. Even the society is becoming more and more in favor with advancements in technology and mass media. The rate that we get information is too much for us, but it is what keeps us intelligent. Personally, I am quick to open the Internet when I have a question about something or want to research a topic. The accessibility of the vast information available at the finger tips makes learning easier and more tangible. The issue that we are facing with technologies is due to our lack of self-control. Even the society is becoming more and more in favor with advancements in technology and mass

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