Susan Greenfield vs. James Paul Gee

Joshua Steele
October 29, 2012
English 115
Professor Macklin

Susan Greenfield vs. James Paul Gee

Moderator: Welcome to the first Effects of Modern Technology Debate, located at UC Berkeley in Berkeley, California. I’m Robert Birgeneau, Chancellor of UC Berkeley, and I will be moderating this evening’s debate. The audience has agreed to remain silent for the duration of this debate, except for now. Please welcome Susan Greenfield and James Paul Gee.
(The two of them shake hands before sitting at their respective seats.)
Moderator: Our first question is for Susan Greenfield. Ms. Greenfield, why do you believe that humans are facing a crisis?
Susan Greenfield: I believe that humans are facing a crisis that is caused by the proliferation of gadgets and by the fact that, “Increasing numbers of people already take Prozac for depression, Paxil as an antidote for shyness, and give Ritalin to children to improve their concentration.” If you are not worried yet, I suggest that you ask yourself, “But what if there were still more pills to enhance or ‘correct’ a range of other specific mental functions?”
Moderator: Mr. Gee, would you like to rebut Ms. Greenfield’s statement?
James Paul Gee: Yes, I would. I feel that Ms. Greenfield’s is oversimplified and I believe that, “Next to nothing is good or bad for you in and of itself and all by itself. I believe that video games and television, for example, can be good for your soul when you reflect on what you are watching or playing. However, I do agree with Ms. Greenfield when she stated in 1984 that watching television is bad when people are sitting and watching passively while relying on television as a babysitter.
Moderator: Thank you. Our next question is for Mr. Gee. Mr. Gee, what do heaven and hell and your soul have in common with the supposed merits of video games?
James Paul Gee: I once had the opportunity to go back and time and experience life in the Middle Ages. I stated that currently, as opposed to the Middle Ages, people from various religious groups believe that those who disagree with them will go to hell as opposed to heaven. Perhaps-
Susan Greenfield: Oh really? Do you consider burning heretics and non-Christians at the stake a form of religious tolerance? How about the Spanish Inquisition and the persecution of Jews throughout Europe? What about the Catholic Church’s backlash against the Protestant Reformation? In my opinion, the modern world is much more tolerant of people with differing religious beliefs, or a lack of religious beliefs. Perhaps your so-called nostalgia for the Middle Ages comes from playing a lot of flashy video games.
(Susan Greenfield’s and James Paul Gee’s voices cannot be heard, since the two of them are consistently cutting each other off and attempting to talk over each other.)
Moderator: Ms. Greenfield and Mr. Gee, thank you very much for your insightful contributions so far. At this point in time we will be taking a 15 minute break.
(The debate ends temporarily.)



Works Cited
1. “Modern Technology Is Changing The Way Our Brains Work.” Susan Greenfield, 2008. Web. October 18, 2012.
2. “Why Video Games Are Good For Your Soul: Pleasure and Learning.” James Paul Gee, n.d. Web. October 29, 2012.