“Thinking Outside the Idiot Box” vs. “Watching TV Makes You Smarter” Essay Example

culture and reality.

Johnson claims that television shows have become more complex, but there is no evidence to support his argument that viewers are becoming smarter by watching them. Stevens disagrees with Johnson's belief in using television to enhance brain function, finding it unfounded and humorous (297). She argues that watching television today does not make people smarter; instead, it dulls their minds.

After reading this, the picture provided helped me understand Stevens' argument more clearly. In contrast to Johnson's article, Stevens also discusses television shows that enhance brain function through viewer engagement in paying attention, making inferences, and understanding intricate character relationships. Notable examples include The Sopranos, 24, and Hill Street Blues.

The Sopranos, a prime example, is a show that connects multiple threads at the same time and layers one plot atop another (Johnson, 283). The show requires more attention from its audience by engaging them with complex characterization and intertwining multiple episodes, which Johnson refers to as the "Sleeper Curve." However, Stevens disagrees and believes that watching shows like The Sopranos only teaches you to watch more TV (Stevens, 296).

Stevens argues that Johnson overlooks the concerns surrounding shows like 24, which depict Muslim terrorists in a negative light and implicitly support torture. Instead, Johnson primarily focuses on how the show's structure instructs viewers to pay attention, make inferences, and follow character relationships. Stevens further goes on to explain that 24 represents a TV show that tests the cognitive abilities of its audience with complex storylines and abundant information, all while discouraging them from critically examining the vigilante ethics it presents.

The text highlights how television can

stimulate thinking, particularly regarding future episodes of the show 24 (296). This reinforces the notion that television often encourages viewers to watch more television, which the text portrays as "sugar-coated mindless garbage." The show's constant emphasis on suspense creates a sense of anticipation, but the negative portrayal of Muslims and promotion of torture is nonsensical. Additionally, the text contrasts Johnson's argument with Stevens' discussion of TV Turnoff Week.

TV Turnoff Week is a nationwide event aimed at promoting disconnection from screens and embracing life. Instead of relying on television for entertainment, participants are urged to engage in activities such as reading books, exploring nature, and spending quality time with loved ones. This annual event attracts over 300 million people. According to Stevens, adults should be mindful of their TV consumption just like knowing their alcohol limit at a bar. Stevens proposes that National TV Turnoff Week is an ideal occasion to test Steven Johnson's theory.

According to the writer, refraining from television for a week does not lower intelligence but rather enhances it. The image demonstrates that television inhibits imagination while reading and outdoor exploration promote it. As a result, participants' brains experience advantages and their imaginations expand. In conclusion, the chosen photo offered a distinct perspective that helped me comprehend Steven's writing.

The paragraph discusses the contrasting views of Steven's article "Thinking Outside the Idiot Box" and Johnson's article "Watching TV Makes You Smarter." The picture included in the paragraph supports Steven's argument that television does not make you smarter but has the opposite effect. Although television has become a significant part of our lives, it may not necessarily be beneficial. Steven's argument

is not that television destroys imagination but implies that it fills the mind with mindless content.

Steven challenges Johnson's claim that television makes you smarter by contradicting and undermining every point made in his article. He debunks the idea that the "more complex" television shows discussed by Johnson are truly beneficial for the brain. Furthermore, Steven highlights the positive effects of participating in TV Turn Off Week, countering any negative notions about it. The accompanying photo reinforces the notion that television is often derogatorily referred to as the "idiot box".