Mind over Mass Media - an Article Review

Steven Pinker, in his article “Mind Over Mass Media” (2010) examins the relationship between human intelligence and mass media. He uses historical facts and expert opinions to demonstrate both the positive aspects of mass media and brain is not changed by mass media. Moreover, he indicates that research and rigorous reasoning ever came naturally to people and mass media encourage us to think more superficially. He also suggests some specific strategies about handling the relationship between mass media and intelligence. He states that mass media is a temptation in our life, if we strengthen our self-control ability, it will keep us smart.

The author said “The solution is not to bemoan technology but to develop strategies of self-control, as we do with every other temptation in life.” in this article. I agree this point. It means that technology is not a monster but a temptation in our life like other enjoyment which should be limited by ourselves. Technology is just a tool which can improve our efficiency, enrich our leisure activity and make daily connection with our friends. But some researches argument that most people could not leave their technological equipments in right time and more and more people addict to cell phones which have a negative effect on their life.  

Recently, more and more people use social networking services to make new friends and strengthen bonds with old friends. They put everything about themselves in SNS, such as what they eat, where they go to visit, even they are in bad mood just because of cloudy weather. They take plenty of time to interact with others about these unimportant things. It is a waste of life but they can not stop using SNS for a while.

I also learned from some mass media that in some family party or friends party, more and more people focus on their cell phones and ignore communication with their friends and families. Elders feel uncomfortable about this behavior and think they do not get enough respect. Friends feel awkward when you play your cell phone solitarily in a party.