Summary of why games are good for you

         Something we hear far too often is that video games are bad for you and that it is ruining the minds of our youth. Steven Johnson believes in the complete opposite. Johnson proves in his "Why games are good for you" the benefits of playing video games. from learning things in a more interesting way, to obtaining reading and comprehension skills, to teaching dedication,  Johnson proves that videogames are not as negative as people make them out to be.

          Everyone has a different style of learning. Some kids actually prefer sitting in a classroom, some prefer reading books, and others couldn't care less about either and would rather play video games. Little do the kids who prefer video games  know, they are actually learning more than just hand-eye coordination. Although Johnson believes that books are the most powerful form of learning, he also says: "The electronic world is starting to give printed books a run for their money." (Johnson 489) explains that after playing video games for an hour with his seven year old nephew, his nephew was able to understand that high tax rates in industrial areas can stifle development. Johnson also admits that his nephew would be asleep in five seconds if you put him in a classroom to learn the same thing. This is a clear example of  how video games can still teach important information, just in a more entertaining way.

           Reading and comprehension is another skill that can be learned through video games. figuring out what you have to do in video games to defeat the master, or get to the next level requires a lot of reading. (Johnson 484) has a quote from Andrew Solomon that states: "reading requires effort, concentration, attention. In exchange, it offers the stimulus to and the fruit of thought and feeling. While spock says "reading is an activity requiring active participation. We must do the reading ourselves- actively scan the letters, make sense of the words, and follow the thread of the story." In other words, children are forced to comprehend what they are reading in a video game in order to succeed, and they don't even realize it.

           Lastly, Johnson talks about the dedication it takes to finish a video game. Believe it or not, video games teach kids not to give up, which is a great life skill to have. People rarely give up in video games because they usually want to see how the game ends whether it's to see the cool graphics, or to get rewards. (Johnson 491) explains how real life is full of rewards. He also elaborates on how in the gameworld rewards are everywhere. "Game rewards are fractal; each scale contains its own reward network." Johnson announces. For example, completing a video game releases a feeling of accomplishment, which is also another great life skill to obtain.

           Johnson is not saying that video games should replace reading and classrooms, but he is implying that they can still be used as a tool to improve the human brain. Video games teach people things in a more interesting way. They help with reading and comprehension, and they bring out a dedication trait. All in all, video games are not only good for hand-eye coordination.