Thinking Outside Idiot Box Essay Example

The notion of whether watching TV enhances intelligence is explored in two contrasting arguments. While Steven Johnson proposes that decoding the intricacies of television programming can improve cognitive abilities, Dana Stevens presents a rebuttal to his claim in the article "Thinking outside the idiot box". Stevens strongly refutes Johnson's argument.

Starting off her article with a sarcastic remark, the author quotes Steven Johnson's argument that TV makes you smarter, indicating disagreement. In contrast, she emphasizes the importance of a TV show's subject matter, which Johnson overlooks. While I support Johnson's view, I believe that to properly evaluate a show's effect on society and determine its pros and cons, viewers should focus on the message conveyed instead of merely anticipating the next episode, which can keep them hooked without insight.