Johnson, S. (2011). Games. In S. Cohen, 50 Essays (pp. 196-202). Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's.

One For Gaming None For Reading

In the story “Games,” Steven Johnson has created and examined what the World would look like if video games came before books. In Johnson’s parallel World, video games are seen as more of the positive activity than reading books. For example, in video games kids control the game, the plot, and the story line. Video games stimulate multiple parts of the brain at once and provide a vivid three dimensional experience unlike books. Books are a series of words on a flat two dimensional piece of paper and the story is already written for the reader to follow, and this leaves kids to feel powerless. In order for kids to participate in this reading activity they need to go to these places called libraries, sit down in cubicles, be quiet, and read silently.  Books are leaving no room for creativity. In Johnson’s parallel universe, a book teaches kids to “follow the plot” and not to lead, and this could potentially cause isolation towards peers. Johnson concludes that he doesn’t agree with the argument that books are bad for kids. He believes in many ways that reading is a very positive stimulating activity for the brain. There are two reasons why readers can benefit from books; first reason, the information within the book; second reason, the exercise the mind gets from processing and storing that information. When kids are reading, they are required to put in a lot of effort, concentration attention, and hard work. Johnson identifies that books do actually help with imagination, and they empower the reader to create their own World in the heads. He also acknowledges that even the brightest readers will use technology like video games from time to time and cause no harm, so there is no need to band kids from technology. He just suggests that the skills that kids learn from reading will help them later on in the education system and the job market. In the end will lead them to live a more happy and healthy life.