Prof. Q

Socrates warned against
writing because it would
"create forgetfulness in the
learners' souls, because they
will not use their memories."

He also stated that children
can't distinguish fantasy from
reality, so parents should only
allow them to hear
wholesome allegories and not
"improper" tales, lest their
development go astray.
… and what do we know of Socrates,
who didn’t write?


Invented: 1440
Inventor: Johannes Gutenberg

It was not well-received by nobles,
the clergy, and philosophers.

By the 16th Century, books had
become widespread.

Conrad Gessner, a Swiss
philosopher, wrote on how he grew
concerned over the “psychological
strain” that books might have on
people.

The Reformation of 1517
<
… older is always better.

During the mid 1800s, public
education became a major focus.

The educated elite were concerned
of the effects of public education.

An 1883 article in the medical
journal Sanitarian stated that
schools "exhaust the children's
brains and nervous systems with
complex and multiple studies, and
ruin their bodies by protracted
imprisonment."

Researchers argued that excessive
study was one of the leading cause
of madness.
… because older is always better.

In the 18th Century
Newspapers became more
common.

Guillaume-Chrétien de
Lamoignon de Malesherbes
(a French lawyer)
suggested that socially
isolated readers and
detracted from the
spiritually uplifting group
practice of getting news
from the pulpit.

But we still read our news! (Sort of!)


Invented on: 1827
Inventor: Rudolphe Töpffer

Comic Book Controversy:
1940 – 1950
 Moral Influences of Comic
Books
 Frederic Wertham's
Seduction of the Innocent
blamed juvenile
delinquency on the "bad
influence" of comic books.

… as a kid’s entertainment.

“The wireless” was accused
of distracting children from
reading and diminishing
performance in school.

“Developed the habit of
dividing attention between
the humdrum preparation of
their school assignments
and the compelling
excitement of the
loudspeaker“ (Gramaphone,
1936)
… older is always better…

“Opponents (of
television programs)
voiced concerns about
how television might
hurt radio,
conversation, reading,
and the patterns of
family living and result
in the further
vulgarization of
American culture.“
(Ellen Wartella)

E-Mail is bad for your IQ
 http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/04/22/text.iq
/

Twitter and Facebook are bad for morals!
 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-
news/5149195/Twitter-and-Facebook-could-harm-moralvalues-scientists-warn.html

Social Media is bad for relationships!
 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/3357741/Faceboo
k-and-MySpace-generation-cannot-formrelationships.html

Facebook can give you cancer!!!
 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1149207/How-
using-Facebook-raise-risk-cancer.html





Children who play more violent video games are more likely
to have increased aggressive thoughts, feelings, and
behaviors, and decreased prosocial helping, according to a
scientific study (Anderson & Bushman, 2001).
Kids playing video games may spend less time in other
activities such as doing homework, reading, sports, and
interacting with the family and friends. (Gentile, Lynch &
Walsh, 2004)
Video games teach kids the wrong values. (Gentile, Lynch &
Walsh, 2004)
Games can confuse reality and fantasy. (Various Pundits)
Academic achievement may be negatively related to over-all
time spent playing video games. (Anderson & Dill, 2000)




New Media affects us in a negative way.
Is exposure to violent media to blame for the
mass shootings?
“Newer is always better” – Barney Stinsen
Why resist new media?