To people over a certain age the idea that popular culture is in decline is a comforting one, which may explain its deep appeal. If today's TV shows are worse than yesterday's, and if new diversions like video games are inferior to their earlier counterparts, whatever those might be (Scrabble? Monopoly?), then there's no harm in paying them no attention. To a 40-year-old who's busy with work and family, the belief that he isn't missing anything by not mastering "SimCity" or by letting his 10-year-old program the new iPod is a blessed solace. If the new tricks are stupid tricks, then old dogs don't need to learn them. They can go on comfortably sleeping by the fire. The old dogs won't be able to rest as easily, though, once they've read "Everything Bad Is Good for You," Steven Johnson's elegant polemic about the supposed mental benefits of everything from watching reality television to whiling the night away playing "Grand Theft Auto." |
