Watching TV Makes You Smarter Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Watching TV Makes You Smarter - Essay Example While Johnson makes several relevant points about the new TV shows, there is also missing information about the concept of TV allowing children and adults to be smarter. Even though TV may have new and different focal points, the mass media and popular culture is still focused on aspects of dumbing down society. Johnson’s main ideology is one based off the opinion of TV providing a smarter outlook through various programs; however, there is not significant information or definitions on intelligence and the effects that TV has. The main thesis of Johnson’s article is based on the concept of TV and programs which children and adults watch. Johnson believes that, despite the popular analysis of TV that states that programs lead to higher levels of violence and a lack of intelligence, TV is actually helping to provide children and adults with higher levels of intelligence. Johnson believes that this is coming from ideas of approaching difficult situations and questioning how to make right decisions that are attributed to TV. For instance, looking at perspectives of women who have to face an unwanted pregnancy, individuals who are placed in violent or compromising situations, are relevant to turning toward the correct moral decisions. Johnson states â€Å"There may indeed be more negative messages in the mediasphere today. But that’s not the only way to evaluate whether television shows or video games are having a positive impact. Just as important – is the kind of thinking you have to do † (Johnson, 3). The relation to this is based on morality as well as intelligence within the pop culture and TV. The concept of morality and thinking about issues then relates to intelligence that Johnson believes occurs on several levels. There are several statements about concepts such as newer technologies, intricate plot lines and the associations with