Introduction
The trends and cultures that were the trademarks of past generations are rapidly changing. Bauerleina argues that several factors, among them the technological advancement in the United States of America has influenced these changes. The author’s methodology in presenting his case is a point to consider when examining his work.
The author seems to have his arguments disposed of the negative implications of technological advancement rather than the positive impacts. This review seeks to recapitulate the main ideas in Bauerleina’s book while scrutinizing the practicality of his conclusions.
A brief summary of Bauerleina’s main ideas
One of the most notable ideas presented in Bauerleina’s book is the fact that America’s intellectual future is threatened. The author is disturbed by the current trends among the young generation. He argues that in future America will experience something disastrous as young people keep pursuing their digital passions. According to the author, youths in America are at significant risk of collectively losing context and history (Bauerlein 103). This is highly influenced by the current neglect of enduring ideas and conflicts (Bauerlein 105).
One of the signs that depict how the current youths have lost contact with the fundamental teachings and historical culture of America is the fact that they are no longer interested in reading.
According to him, this is just one of the many indicators that show how the current generation is headed to unprecedented harm in the future. He also asserts that young people are using the World Wide Web in the wrong way and for the wrong reasons. He laments that young people should use the internet to learn about the world rather than gossiping in social media platforms.
An analysis of the author’s persona
Judging by his work of literature, Mark Bauerlein is a fervent individual, and he sounds like a problem solver in many of his books. His personal traits reveal that he mostly focuses on helping other people. He also has some traits that suggest he is a selfless individual. This is proven by the fact that he has gone beyond his limits to investigate the impacts of technology on America’s young people. In his book, he passionately expresses his fears concerning America’s deteriorating culture. Through this, he displays a very high level of patriotism.
Mark Bauerlein is distress by the fact that America’s long known culture of reading is rapidly evading among the young and upcoming adults. This is an explicit display of care for humanity and concern for the continuity of good habits. However, from a different angle, his worries and concerns can also be viewed as a sign of intolerance.
Some approaches made by the author in his explanations are a definitive display of his intolerance. Arguing that young people do not read; rather, they spend most of their time gossiping is a good example of his intolerance. In a broader analysis, it is prudent to assume that the author is judgmental.
His condemnatory trait is seen when he asserts that young people are getting dumber as technological advancement progresses globally. This assumption can be seen as a misguided way of passing judgment based on nothing else but personal views. The author was brought up in a different era when the current technological developments were unheard of. Therefore, he seems to believe that things can only work if they were done in the way he considers right. A person with such a character is said to be opinionated.
Methodology
Mark Bauerlein is very specific in his reasoning, and his intentions are very clear. He intends to sensitize the public, especially the younger generation, on the dangers that technology poses to their mental growth.
He is very enthusiastic to mention how young people are influenced by the current trending events on the internet. In his text, he has cited Facebook and MySpace as the most popular online social platforms used by young people in America. Nonetheless, the approach or methodology he has used in presenting his case may not deliver the desired results.
He has majorly capitalized on the ills of the internet, and his entire book seems to critic the youths rather than educate them. His methodology may not be very effective if change among the youths is the desired goal. His argument is likely to cause upheaval among his readers rather than crate a platform for reforms. One of the most dominant arguments in this book is the prevalence and the rise in the “pull of immaturity” among the youth (Bauerlein 161).
He has used a good explanation to show the relationships between the young and the older generation and how the level of maturity is declining in America today (Bauerlein 278).
In his argument, he has proved that a lack of interaction between the young and older generations is the root cause of the generational discontinuity in terms of culture. He argues that the current interaction of young people “encourages more horizontal modeling, more raillery, and mimicry of people the same age” (Bauerlein 172). The author has included humor in his text in order to make his points clear.
One instance where humor has effectively been used is when the author insists that the young generation has lost its hold on politics. According to him, “young people are six times more likely to know who the latest American Idol is than they are to know who the speaker of the U.S. House is” (Bauerlein 163). This statement uses humor to pass a very important and clear message to the youth.
Analyzing the statement further, one can deduce that the author is telling the young people that they are losing their attachment to the most important things in life. However, his direct attack on the habits of young people may not be the best way to inform or educate them. Young people are naturally rebellious, and when offering a piece of advice, one has to be very careful not to offend their emotions.
Authors Conclusions
The author’s conclusion may be true, but he has made a number of misleading notions. According to him, “Adolescent years meant preparation for something beyond adolescence, as parents, teachers, ministers, and employers trained teens in grown-up conduct” (Bauerlein 168). This statement suggests that such activities are no longer in place today.
However, the internet is one of the most resourceful platforms where teens can get career advice and social interaction skills. The author tends to think that the youth use the internet for socializing only, but this assumption can be notably wrong. There are many young people subscribing to several academic websites, among other meaningful platforms, on the internet.
Works Cited
Bauerlein, Mark. The Dumbest Generation: How the Digital Age Stupefies Young Americans and Jeopardizes our Future. New York, NY: Tarcher/Penguin, 2008. Print.