That's the title of Discover Magazine editor Steven Johnson's new book arguing that digital technologies -- especially gaming -- actually build crucial thinking skills and stimulate higher brain function through complex, multilayered interactivity and reality-based learning. Of course not everyone agrees with this counterintuitive little thesis. To say the least. Witness the following tongue-in-cheek review from one Barnes and Noble customer: "I've never been a fan of reading, I'm usually too busy playing video games. But I decided to take a break from playing video games long enough to read this book about playing video games. Upon reading this farcical tale of increasing intelligence in the pop culture I summarized what I think of popular culture....Those who create are in an elite society. In fact, by creating this book for people who don't read, you have instantly put the metaphorical bullet in your own foot." However, the fact that the customer review is published digitally in an online interactive open forum makes me wonder if the customer isn't the one taking aim at his own toes!
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