Dumb: The Misconceptions Of The New Generation

In today's time and age, grownups are overestimating the effects of media and new technologies. The new generation is born into the digital age but that doesn't necessarily mean they are any less intelligent than the previous generation. The misconception that the new generation appears dumb exists because of the media, technology, and choices made by the new generation.
Adults presume that children go in the Internet and are not gaining anything beneficial. According to Source 3, “New media allow for a degree of freedom and autonomy…” Kids are learning from others in forums and building knowledge off each other. They don't all learn in a classroom setting but instead in engaged conversations with peers on a topic they enjoy talking about. The new generation learns in a different way that the older generation is not accustomed to. Being different is not being bad. Clive Thompson from source 7 concluded “we’re in the midst of a literacy revolution the likes of which we haven't seen since Greek civilization.” This further proves that things are different, but better now. A literacy revolution may come as confusing because not everyone has caught on the new style and
accepted it. Such can be said about technology.
Technology is constantly being innovated to improve quality of life.
Nicholas Carr in Source 4 noted “the web had been a godsend to me as a writer. Research that once required days in the stacks or periodical rooms in libraries can be done in minutes.” Finding an easier way of doing something is not being dumber but instead being more resourceful. The entire job of engineers is to create and design a product to do a task easier. Engineers would not be considered dumb for inventing new things to make life easier. “Technology isn't killing our ability to write. It's reliving it…” (Source 7) Technology brings entertainment but also enriches our writing ability. Society as a whole is moving forward. Since the digital age brings many things to table, it is important to note how people choose to use
it.
People judge others by the choices they make. Sharon Begley from Source 2 argued that “Gen Y’s ignorance of facts reflects not dumbness but choice.” The claim that the new generation is less knowledgeable than older generations about certain topics is flawed because the new generation chooses not to learn about those topics. They certainly have the capacity to learn but that is not of their interest. There is a decline of college freshman who are aware about political affairs from 1966 to 2005. (Source 2) Political affairs now are far less important because 60s politics determined if you were drafted into war. It would make sense that there are less people who are knowledgeable about a topic that has lost popularity.
Although it may seem as if we are the dumbest generation, there is no explicit proof. Mark Bauerlein who argued that “mental equipment of the young fall short of their media, money, e-gadgets, and career plans.” (Source 1) It is true that the new generation is spending more time on the internet and on games. However, vidoes games are said to “challenge mental dexterity” (Source 6) and are helpful in getting people to think and find solutions. Video games are more engaging than movies or books because video games allow players to progress. Players need to fully understand a concept before moving on to the next stage whereas you can continue reading a book and not understand a single thing.
With new advancements in technology, the world will continue to change and digitalize. This will bring forth change in how a new generation will be adapt and revolutionize their way of life. A new literacy revolution disguised as the digital age is taking over and the previous generation interprets it as a malicious virus making the new generation dumber. Change is important and change does not mean bad.