Steven Johnson is a writer and media theorist who has written extensively about the role of video games in society and their potential as a means of learning and problem-solving. In his book, "Everything Bad is Good for You," Johnson argues that video games are actually good for us because they require players to think critically and solve complex problems in order to progress through the game.
Johnson points out that modern video games are much more complex and challenging than they were in the past, with many requiring players to engage in activities such as strategizing, planning, and adapting to changing circumstances. This is in contrast to the simpler, more repetitive games of the past, which required little thought or problem-solving.
According to Johnson, the increasing complexity and challenge of video games can have a number of benefits for players. For one, it can help improve cognitive skills such as spatial reasoning and problem-solving. These skills are important not only for success in video games, but also in everyday life and in many professional fields.
Video games can also help improve social skills and communication. Many modern video games require players to work together in teams or communicate with one another in order to achieve their goals. This can help players develop teamwork and communication skills that are valuable in both personal and professional settings.
Furthermore, video games can provide a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction for players, as they work to progress through the game and complete challenges. This can help boost self-esteem and self-confidence, and can even have therapeutic benefits for those struggling with mental health issues.
However, it's important to note that like any activity, video games should be enjoyed in moderation. Excessive use can lead to problems such as addiction and social isolation, and it's important for parents to monitor their children's video game usage to ensure it doesn't interfere with other important aspects of their lives.
Overall, while there are potential negative consequences to consider, Steven Johnson's perspective on video games as a positive force in society is an important one. As video games continue to evolve and become even more complex and challenging, they have the potential to provide valuable learning and problem-solving opportunities for players.
"Your Brain On Video Games" and the "Steven Johnson" Response
So, maybe, children playing games in to the late hours of the night just want to learn more! Above all, it's exciting to reflect on the possibility that the many achievements of the Silicon Valley revolution might be compatible, rather than in tension, with a progressive focus on social justice and participatory democracy. In a sense, neuroscience has offered up a prediction, one that games obligingly confirm. You know, as you get older, you kind of rest on your laurels: You learn certain patterns, you know your field, and you get a lot of experience. Bolstered by the results of laboratory experiments, Gee and other researchers dared to suggest that gaming might be mentally enriching. Even though the test subjects had improved their game performance by a factor of seven, Haier found that their glucose levels had decreased.
Steven Johnson (author)
Gee contends that the way gamers explore virtual worlds mirrors the way the brain processes multiple, but interconnected, streams of information in the real world. Even a mild claustrophobic will invariably find the experience intolerable, and most people need a break after 20 minutes. Eventually, they might all be found digitally on the web. Before Vorderer and Weber even looked at any of the brain scans, they were surprised by the behavior of the dozen or so adults who volunteered for the test. Conversely, the core purposes of video games is perceived to instigate differing implications ranging from; formulating competent scholarly video plays to act as tutoring, as well as inspiring models in intellectual environs.
Johnny's AP Lang Blog: "Games" by Steven Johnson Questions on rhetoric and style:
Moreover, he also states even the most avid reader spend some time with other social media: playing games, watching television, or the Internet. We're not talking thrillers here: Johnson has made a career of popularizing the complex. I think that reading is mostdefinitelybetter for your mind then playing video games. I'd like to draw your attention to another game whose nonstop violence and hostility has captured the attention of millions of kids -- a game that instills aggressive thoughts in the minds of its players, some of whom have gone on to commit real-world acts of violence and sexual assault after playing. Many reportsregardingthis game haveresultedindeclininggrades, loss of appetite, and sleep. Playing the game is a nonstop balancing act: sending one character off to work, cleaning the kitchen with another, searching through the classifieds for work with another.