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As I was reading chapter one of Mark Bauerlein's "Dumbest Generation: How the Digital Age Stupefies Young Americans and Jeopardizes Our Future", I couldn't help but recall a film I saw that would likely express his worst nightmare. The film is "Idiocracy" directed by Mike Judge. It's a parody on the stupidity of younger generations, allowing us to laugh at the fact that it is so far from our current reality. However, it also presents the idea that we are the future, we will live it, and we are responsible for creating it. So, for our own benefit, we must remember to "water our crops". In other words, we should occupy our minds with information pertaining to more than just our own egos and simple entertainment, if not for future generations, at least for ourselves. Otherwise, we may get to a point in time when we cannot save ourselves from our own destruction because we've lost the important knowledge and history that has allowed us to get this far. While I agree with Bauerlein's argument that we should challenge ourselves to become more knowledgeable and capable citizens, I disagree with the charge that the digital age has stupefied us. Yes we spend way too much time on youtube and facebook and every other social networking or media website, but I wouldn't say we know less. I would just say we know more about our own immediate world and it's ever-changing dynamics, as opposed to the finer points of politics and literature. There are a few questions I would like to raise though. One is, what is the actual role of technology and the digital age in all of this? What is the role of society and its mouthpiece, the media? What is the role and responsibility of the educational system and its teachers? What roles and responsibilities are those of parents? And what roles and responsibilities do children have for themselves? I would argue that the problem stems from a very fast evolution of technology and access to all different kinds of information. This creates a sense of overload, in terms of the volume of information and options, for the current youth that never existed before. However, we are expected to sift through it all with the same speed, intentions, and expectations of prior generations, with no real guidance. I mean, how can there be much guidance - it is still in the process of evolving and we are evolving with it. To be honest, I think Bauerlein puts too much blame on our generation for being the way we are. I think we've done what every generation before us has done - we've just gone with what we know, what we have seen and what we have been taught; and also what we have discovered and created. However, he is right that something needs to be done about our lack of global and historical intelligence; and since it's our future, it is our responsibility to change its direction. Although, a little understanding and clarification of (reasonable) expectations from wiser generations would be greatly appreciated.

Here is a link to a clip from "Idiocracy". It's called "House of Representin'". I think it does an interesting job of showing the potential repercussions of a society that forgot to remember anything more than what entertains and pleases them. (It may or may not be class appropriate. Just thought I should warn you.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ULZwzF9s5A