Mark Bauerlein you've done it! I've been provoked.
Mr. Bauerlein, author of "The Dumbest Generation/Don't Trust Anyone Under 30" has it all wrong.
In response to his book, here are 8 reasons not to trust Bauerlein and his generation:
- Every generation includes someone you can make fun of. Bauerlein calls out Jay's "jaywalkers" because he scared of all the 20-somethings wandering around with post-graduate degrees who are going to put him out of business.
- Today's students have far more homework than your generation. I don't think you had three hours of homework a night as a second grader. If children today aren't reading, why is there a Harry Potter craze and a Twilight craze? Why are 20-somethings joining book clubs at an increasing rate? It's your generation that is illiterate... illiterate when it comes to finances, hence the personal finance crisis in our nation.
- My dad can't spell. He's almost 60. (I'm not saying my dad is dumb, he's a very successful businessman and he got there without winning a spelling bee).
- If you send me paragraphs over IM, yes I will make fun of you. There is a time and place for academic writing. Social media is not that place.
- It's all about hand-eye-coordination. Thank you video games! Not everyone goes into professions where they sit at desks and write books. Interactive games exercise the mind.
- The Internet provides us with more information than the traditional library. Because of this, we are expected to know more and I do believe going back to point #1 and the increased amount of HW, that our generation is learning more, especially about the mistakes of older generations.
- Parents don't check bedrooms at night to see if their kids are off the computers because parents themselves are working 24-7 with their blackberry's. YOU are setting the example.
- Your generation had more of an opportunity to get in trouble. You weren't trackable. Twitter, facebook, text messages, mobile phones... today we know where everyone is.
I like your counter points. The criteria the Mr. B guy used was not particularly solid. You can pick negative examples from any generation, technology, or social group to fit what want to believe, but the 8 points he used did not take a holistic view of the argument. It is just another attempt at stirring the pot to draw attention and hopefully sell more books.
ReplyDeleteYour point about Harry Potter is right on. Those are some pretty hefty books and require a lot of investment in time and energy to finish.
ReplyDeleteI think you may be off with the claim that the internet provides more information that a traditional library. It does provide quicker access to summary information than most libraries. but practical and legal consideration keep most in-depth content off-line (authors have to make a living, too). Take a look at the latest edition of The Oxford Guide to Library Research, by Thomas Mann (he's a reference library and the Library of Congress and makes the subject a joy):
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Oxford-Guide-to-Library-Research/Thomas-Mann/e/9780195
Great counter points to Bauerlein. Some skills just aren't as valuable anymore. Spelling without spell check is still important, but you can get by without being a spelling whiz.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to see someone got as animated as I did about that article. Thank you for making the effort to break it down one point at a time. It amazes me how closed-minded people can be when they are afraid of something- a point you made very clear! Watch out Bauerlien, we're comin' to get you!
ReplyDelete