There’s more to the article, but Ow! My Balls! is on!
I found that movie equally funny and sad all at the same time.
This post brought to you, courtesy of Brawndo, it’s got Electrolytes…and stuff.
Frak you, I’m eating!
MMMM…Extra-Big-Ass-Taco, now with more MOLECULES!
Gotta go, Sweet Bang Tube is on, then I’m goin’ for a Starbucks, and stuff…
I wonder if the study behind that rather breathless article had more than twelve data points, all told. It’s amazing how kids these days have been getting steadily stupider since Classical Rome and we’re still sentient.
Ladies and Gentlemen…
…I give you the War on Terror.
My experience is that when you create a study by reviewing and combining data from other studies, what you end up with isn’t worth much. As far as critical thinking goes, though - I’m sure people who thought the Internet would be the information super highway, giving everybody access to all kinds of data and promoting learning on a grand scale, would be pretty disappointed with what’s turned out. The 'net definitely has not made people any less credulous.
The phrase “our skills in critical thinking and analysis have declined, while our visual skills have improved” reminded me of this: Report: TV Helps Build Valuable Looking Skills
One of the things that bothers me is that people aren’t using their minds any more to just think.
For instance, I used to wonder about things. As I stopped and waited 20 minutes for a bus, I’d think about stuff and let my mind wonder. I’d say “Gee I wonder what this neighborhood used to be like.”
But now as I do this everyone else is on a cell phone complaining to someone about having to wait for the bus.
We’ve seen similar things in the past, for instance when I was in grade school we learned the new math. All about set theory and base number systems. I am still one of the few people that today gets that. It didn’t help me in life but it sure taught me how to think critically.
I don’t think technology is bad, but it does allow us to take the line of least resistance, and stop us from using heads. Not because we need to but I believe the brain, like anyting else needs to be used.
Think of it as driving a car a block instead of walking. You need to use your muscles, just for the sake of using them, even though it’d be quicker to take the car.
Do you really believe that? Some scholars estimate literacy rates in antiquity at less than 15 percent.
Edit: nevermind, after re-reading your post I think it’s safe to assume you were being tongue-in-cheek. I am tired.