Book Review Mondays

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The Dumbest Generation: How the digital age stupefies young Americans and jeopardizes our future
by Mark Bauerlein

Review by Richard L. Weaver II, PhD.

Bauerlein, a professor of English at Emory University, has written a truly superb book. Whether you agree with him or not, you will find his information interesting, insightful, and well-researched. Of course, the title is hyperbole --- exaggeration to grab attention. As a former professor myself, I saw the trend beginning as I retired, but I think Bauerlein has hit the nail on the head. And, remember, there are always exceptions to the rule. Not everyone, thank heavens, fits his descriptions. Not everyone behaves as those he characterizes. Because the new generation of young people (those under thirty, basically) is thoroughly ensconced in the digital age --- the Internet, e-mail, blogs, text messaging, interactive and ultra-realistic video games --- instead of becoming more astute, developing diversified tastes, and improving their minds, those under thirty have become...well...dumber. Depending upon exhaustive research, detailed portraits, as well as historical and social analysis, this book "presents an uncompromisingly realistic study of the young American mind" (from the jacket cover) --- and how we must address the deficiencies. This is a well-written chronicle of what's happening right now and, without a doubt, is continuing to happen on a more massive scale. Again, whether you agree with his thesis or not, it is a must read.

I accidentally wrote a second review of Bauerlein's book, and the second review offers even more information about it. Instead of editing and putting the two reviews together, I have included both in their entirety (the one above and the one below - written at different times) for your information. Besides, the book is worth two positive reviews!

You may not agree with his thesis (that cyberculture is turning us into a nation of know-nothings), but Mark Bauerlein’s book, The Dumbest Generation: How the digital age stupefies young Americans and jeopardizes our future will shock, surprise, and entertain you. His mass of evidence, studies, and examples is impressive, to say the least. Bauerlein offers all teachers and librarians wonderful support with
statements like this: “Books afford young readers a place to slow down
and reflect, to find role models, to observe their own turbulent
feelings well expressed, or to discover moral convictions missing from
their real situations” (p. 58) His explanation of the “Matthew Effect,”
“in which those who acquire reading skills in childhood read and learn
later in life at a faster pace than those who do not” is both
outstanding and essential knowledge (p, 59).

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He labels people’s acuity
with technology “screen literacy,” then goes on to say that “screen
intelligence doesn’t transfer well to non-screen experiences, especially
the kinds that build knowledge and verbal skills” (p. 95). Continuing
with the same argument, he says screen literacy may stimulate the senses
or touch the ego, “but vocabulary doesn’t expand, memory doesn’t
improve, analytic talents don’t develop, and erudition doesn’t ensue”
(p. 109). Bauerlein explains that, “For most young users, it is clear,
the Web hasn’t made them better writers and readers, sharper
interpreters and more discerning critics, more knowledgeable citizens
and tasteful consumers” (p. 110). He even goes so far to say about the
Web universe, “They [people] don’t realize that success in popular
online youthworlds breeds incompetence in school and in the workplace”
(p. 158). With respect to jeopardizing our future, Bauerlein suggests
that when the rising generation reaches middle age, they “won’t
re-create the citizenship of its precursors, nor will its rank produce a
set of committed intellectuals ready to trade in ideas, steer public
policy, and espouse social values on the basis of learning, eloquence,
and a historical sense of human endeavor” (p. 203). I hope you get the
idea that I loved this book. It is challenging because of the ideas he
promotes and supports, but it is a book that all concerned citizens
should read. Although there are always exceptions, I think he has
outlined a genuine problem and a dangerous direction for our future.

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Through our reading, researching, and writing, And Then Some Publishing (and our extended family of readers) mine volumes of books representing a wide variety of tastes. We use the books in our writing, test and try suggested techniques, and we read for enjoyment as well. We wouldn't spend the time reviewing the books if we didn't get something out of it. Read more reviews on other fantastic books at our BookWorks website.