Why Games are good for you

1) What is Johnsons main point? What are some of the supporting details he uses to make that point?

-Johnsons main point is that video games teach people way more than just hand eye coordination, and that video games are not as negative as people make them. Some supporting details he uses is that video games give different mental skills that are just as important as the ones practiced by reading books. (Johnson 486) states that video games help with spelling. the article also states many similarities between playing video games and reading, Johnson also talks about how video games can teach kids things in a more entertaining way. (Johnson 490) explains how his seven year old nephew understood that high tax rates in industrial areas can stifle development. Johnson then goes on to say that his nephew would have fell asleep in five seconds if you were to put him in a classroom to teach the same thing. Another detail that Johnson uses to make his point is that some games aren't even fun. He explains how much money he spent in his past trying to beat a game. Johnson helps prove his point that video games teach people even when the game is stressful and not fun. "Why do we use the word "play" to describe this torture? I'm always amazed to see what our brains are willing to tolerate to reach the next level in these games." Said Johnson. The quote proves the determination factor of games, which is another life skill games teach people other than hand eye coordination.


2) Johnson likes to challenge conventional wisdom in his writing. That video games are bad for you in this case, Argue against an aspect of pop culture that is generally considered "good" or "bad" use specific examples to support your point.

-Technology is considered a great thing and it has many great qualities, but humans abuse it too much. There are many arguments to defend technology, for example, it is great to have for hospitals and it is extremely convenient. I'm not saying I don't like technology (I mean I am using it for this homework assignment after all), but some things just shouldn't change. My little sister, a fifth grader has told me about a few changes her school is making. She informed me that her TCAP testing is going to be online, and that she has to take typing classes. I don't agree with these new rules. Technology is great for some things, but kids should not be getting rid of pencils and paper for good. Kids still need to know how to write and read manually, everything in life should not be computerized. Another problem with technology is that some teachers are no longer teachers. They assign homework through the web, and don't explain anything in person. They should still teach and not just tell you what to do and how to find out where the homework is. Technology is great when its not taking over our schools.