TEDxRainier - Dimitri Christakis - Media and Children

[waynesepe2]

:)



[tija1012]

I always wondered why I hate school xD

[SiftyFix]

What's worse is that learning anything while sitting down and listening to someone talk is the worst way to learn. And yet schools do it all the time, everywhere.

[olimario]

Well, the evidence is pretty impressive.

I suspect this will lead to even more studies with the same general conclusion.

[capgains]

To all out there who are adults, what are the consequences of having an attention disorder?



[Pithead]

@capgains You don't learn things very easily, your education suffers and you end up working in a meatpacking factory whilst getting into barroom brawls every friday night. Saturdays are reserved for your serial killing activities.

[DarknesSoldier]

@capgains I don't have attention disorder, but ASPD. So... boredom, easily distracted, forget things, don't finish/frequently switching from one activity to another.

[rayruiz12345]

Is there a way I can get spanish subtitles? I want to show this to my parents

[ludacrash]

yeah, and what about the people who live 200 years ago and didn't have any tv or other media, they were much smarter en learned much better than the people now?

[lamintak]

Regarding the clip from Baby Einstein that plays from 5:40 - 6:00, Dimitri says that there were seven scene changes. Does anybody else think that's an inaccurate statement?

[zeeslot]

Dumpert....

[Aeolistify]

They're only just discovering this now?

I was raised with no TV receiver in the house for this precise reason. We watched movies every now and then, but only ever as a family bonding time.

I'm now a student at a polytechnic and will have a masters degree by the time I'm 21, if all goes to plan.

When I have kids, there will be no TV in the house.

[convexation1]

@Aeolistify Correlation is not causation. I will have my masters degree in September, and I grew up watching television all the time. Does that mean television should be kept in every house?

You will gain your masters degree through hard work, whether or not you were exposed to television. This study is not the objective be-all-and-end-all.

[Aeolistify]

@convexation1 Correlation is not causation... the exception proves the rule... any more you want to throw at me? Sounds to me like you may just be trying to justify time wasted. This study is simply common sense, backed up with facts.

And I'm not some anti-technology freak. In fact, my degree is in ICT, majoring in programming and minoring in management. Just in case you might have been tempted to jump to that conclusion.

[tendarine1]

there is no music television anymore and nothing worth watching, so I stopped watching

[grail68]

Kids raised without TV don't have ADD. Rings true 100% of the time.

[hipcircle69]

Responding to 098765431- radiant light screens cause a form of hypnosis. The brain produces chemicals in response much like a substance addiction. Literally addicting and hypnotic. That's why kids would rather watch tv than play blocks. That's why I would often rather hang out on Facebook than read an actual book. Hard to tear ourselves away.

[MartialShot]

This is perfectly retarded. Anyone who believes this is a shitty parent looking for an excuse. Id love to meet this man and question every single one of his theories.

[grail68]

@MartialShot HIS theories? They're not just his dude. They're pretty common and accepted.

[MartialShot]

@grail68 For once in your life think objectively while watching something and then respond to this with 4 counter to theories as to why this is bullshit. Ill start you with one since you're obviuosly very closed minded. When he's talking about rapid transition of images that allows the mind to EXPAND to EXPECT higher amounts of sensory stimulation, think about why this may not be a bad thing..maybe its the classrooms fault that its not stimulating as much as the TV..maybe TV is teaching

[grail68]

@MartialShot Looks like somebody's mad that all his TV watching is actually unhealthy! There's nothing narrow-minded about science. The "rapid transition of images" causes children to "expect higher amounts of sensory stimulation." This is true of course. That's why so many kids can't pay attention to anything, they get distracted by every little thing. TV is the direct and only cause of ADD.

[MartialShot]

@grail68 Wow congradulations for echoing a well known THOERY in science. Iam quiet successful and watch 4-8 hours of digital images a day. You however cant think objectively or challenge common thought, so Ill assume you're retarded. Those who cant think out of the box or analyze the situation from a counter point deserve to be put in one. There was 0 emotionally charged statements in my first reply. You fail

[grail68]

@MartialShot Not thinking outside the box? Most people never even consider these ideas. Only the few with enough common sense to take the time to think about it actually come to the rational conclusion that television causes ADD. I have no doubt that you're successful (although apparently you struggle with grammar); nobody is claiming that watching TV affects everyone to the same degree. But it has a more pronounced effect on some than on others.

[MartialShot]

@grail68 Wow I found this comment even though people marked as spam. Imma take a pass on responding to it becuase once again your just qouting things youve googled rather then thinking objectively outside the box. Maybe you should Google what that means

[grail68]

@MartialShot None of my comments appear to be marked as spam. And I'm sorry but I haven't googled any of those things, you can find those in any introduction to psychology textbook. You should try researching basic psychology sometime, you may learn something valuable. In the meantime I'll leave you to your pseudoscience.

[MartialShot]

@grail68 Sorry I believe your supporting this video so Ill leave you to the pseudoscience

[PrepTard]

@MartialShot You sir, are a total retard !! I would guess, that you've watched too much TV. "Maybe TV is teaching" LMAO !!!! Please, run along, and stop infecting people with your stupidity. The guy you are arguing with is right, and you, with your barely coherent sentences, are WRONG.

[MartialShot]

@PrepTard Thats great deflection, once again no one has put up any counter theories or even justified his teachings. Wake up sheepol

[PrepTard]

@MartialShot If you want anybody to take you seriously, you need to seriously work on your spelling. I'm not being pedantic, it's just that I think you're opinion is probably worthless, as you refer to people who DON'T think that television is a "teaching device" as "sheepol". WTF. You say you're successful and you watch 4 - 8 hours of teevee every day. I say you're an illiterate moron, and an internet liar. Good day. "Wake Up" !! LMFAO !!!!!!!!

[MartialShot]

@PrepTard I fixed all your grammar and spelling mistakes below 'If you want anybody to take you seriously, you need to seriously work on your spelling. I'm not being pedantic. It’s just that I think your opinion is probably worthless as you refer to people who DON'T think that television is a "teaching device" as "sheepol". You say you’re successful and you watch 4 - 8 hours of TV every day. I say you're an illiterate moron, and an internet liar. Good day. "Wake Up".'

[TheScoutingSniper]

@MartialShot people like you, and the amount of them, is what I hate about society

[MartialShot]

@TheScoutingSniper Wow such emotionally charged statements. It must have been all the violent TV you watched as a child. Rather then using your logic and counter arguing you've successfully attacked another person integrity and dont nothing to further your point making you look like an ignorant fool. Grats

[MartialShot]

@grail68 This one right here dipshit

[MartialShot]

@grail68 You havent read my comment at all have you

[098765431]

what i want to know is why are kids automatically attracted to the tv rather than building blocks or something...

[grail68]

@098765431 Stimulating lights, sounds and colours. Attracts little kids for the same reason a marching band does, only a marching band doesn't give your children ADD.

[098765431]

Great vid. unfortunately i watched tv at a young age so payed attention bout half the time.Damn telly!

[gendig]

Finally, I find some sensible comments! I am glad to see others that feel the same way I do. I did away with cable TV about four years ago and it was one of the best decisions that I have made. Unfortunately, the internet is getting very comparable. BUT atleast it can be regulated a bit more. Great presentation by this man!

[LeonardPopa]

Thank you!!!



[zakariski]

Although technology may be seen to be at fault for some things, it is technology itself which enables us to understand HOW technology can be utilised correctly.

[grail68]

@zakariski Well said!

[VasjaStankovic]

I gave away my TV years ago, stopped reading newspapers and I don't vote.

I thought I'll become alienated, but I found out it was quite the opposite - I was alienated before.

[edgardusXII]

@VasjaStankovic Better to sustain pristine alienation away from media's distortion of reality; the unalienated are living a fiction. Hence their very personalities are a fiction.

Note: consumerism has become the new sanctity of life and purpose. :(

It's no wonder modern people don't know their true selves. It has all been supplied by a marketed media. The result: an ongoing death of our bio-culture.

[VasjaStankovic]

@edgardusXII I concur, dear sir. That's exactly my point. I'm sorry because my English is not that good, for I would enjoy a further debate on this matter.

We are certainly being pushed into a transhumanist future where our inner sanctum is bound to get violated...

[davewoodring]

@edgardusXII all i know is as long as corporate greed continues you will have more and marauders roaming the streets, see a lot of angry people out on streets anymore, i walk ride a bike, take bus, you see everything and hear everything also. I like talking to street people cause have learned lots of info i wouldn't hear driving a car everywhere. It is called street smart. Can talk to those people also.

[theraccoun]

@VasjaStankovic Absolutely. My path follows yours to a tee

[wheelmanstan]

Good video, sad but true. This explains a lot and they've also done studies on sugary cereal, we're practically addicted to sugar by the age of 12. There's a series for children on dvd that children can watch from just a few months old that really helps with brain development, I forget the name but I highly recommend it. Also stay away from milk formula and eat healthy foods when pregnant, don't be a careless parent depending on the fda to make the choices for you, they have their own agenda.

[AviatorMediaGroup13]

OCCUPY THE AIRWAVES!!!! its why they call it TV "networks" "broadcast" and "programming"....The net works in capturing us when they cast it broad in order to capture us in the rapture of programming. THE SAD PART IS MOST OF US DON'T CARE ENOUGH TO UNPLUG!!!

[candyyycanesz]

nowadays that's all we do, INTERNET. it's so sad

[photonuttt]

Is there a follow-up video on what to do if your kids are now 6, 9, and 10 and you didn't know this stuff when they were babies? Is the 'damage' reversible?

[FIntyMAcC10]

@photonuttt Not at all. They are programmed whether they know it or not

[photonuttt]

@FIntyMAcC10 What do you mean, "Not at all"? The damage is not at all reversible, it is permanent?

[ShellyBirger]

Thank you for this crucially important information about how media affects children. 

[enkigilgamesh]

TV is for the brain dead. Cancel your cable and save some money. Well I just watch sports and news. That's what I mean by brain dead. Nothing factual on tv so your reality is squewed. If you watch 2 hours a day you will have wasted 60 hours in a month. In a year 720 hours of your life. If your waking day is 12 hours... that is 2 months of wasted time a year. You are only experiencing 10 months of life. Every check peoples eyes after an hour of watching. Join the movement and cancel your idiotbox

[IOUthelove]

Some of you are really paranoid. It's alright to enjoy 1 hour of T.V. as long as you get out once in a while. Teach your children there is more to life than the picture box.

[osei1977]

@IOUthelove For me, the important thing is to push the TV into the backgound of your life. It should NEVER be central to a person's free/ leisure time. Very young kids should not watch TV, as they do not yet have the critical mind, or life experience to filter out the bullshit and propaganda on TV. TV just is a one way communication. The viewer is just sitting there. It is only good in small controlled doses.

[IOUthelove]

@osei1977 I completely agree with you. My mom told me she didn't let me watch T.V. until I was in school. Must be why I don't have many memories of shows from before first grade. A child's mind is a sponge and we can't have it soaking up the wrong stuff.

[Cottonmouth235]

@IOUthelove It isn't paranoia it is pretty clear what television does to the brain to children and adult's, It is strange for a parent to not spend time with their kid's or encourage them to reach out, To do normal thing's like read or play music dance, be creative go outside, Even the man who made television possible said he regretted making it because it is being abused to brainwash people! That's not extreme that's fact.

[spectecjr]

Interesting that the speaker here claimed no neurogenesis in the brain after birth. That's inaccurate. Not sure how much I trust in the rest after seeing that.

[yarply12]

I'm glad that, though we had TV when I was growing up, -3 channels- it is nothing like tv of today.

TV really serves no purpose anymore except "entertainment". And I think people are way over-entertained these days. I seriously wonder, if the power should ever go out for an extended amount of time how many people would go insane from lack of their drug. Television.

[bobchillaxd]

Porn probably isn't good for children either. That REALLY overstimulates the brain

[BassBwoy3]

Wow @ 8:45. I watched tons of shows like that from 10-18. :O I'm 22 now, but I try not to watch TV at all.

[Okruuuch]

@BassBwoy3 nothing wrong happens to kids who watch shows like this when they are 10 and above, you don't have to worry. he's talking about little children

[BassBwoy3]

@Okruuuch

True, but I watched lots of TV from 5 as well. It only escalated to high-speed cartoons and anime around 10. Maybe that's why I'm so hyper now. :S

[sinthetix1]

Why are those morons in the audience laughing? I think they were baby Einstein, and find this boring, which results in not understanding the point of the presentation. I think that the term like CRACKSHITS would satisfy them.

[918Anon]

@sinthetix1 exactly what I was thinking....

[convexation1]

@sinthetix1 Because humour is not allowed in a TED talk? :/ I don't understand?

[sinthetix1]

@convexation1 no, because, they do not understand what he is talking about. humans have tendention to remember only the funny parts in the presentation, and most important things are boring to them.

[convexation1]

@sinthetix1 I'm not sure I agree with you, but maybe I could be swayed with some evidence?

I think humour can be a great tool for helping people remember rather complex topics. Take for instance the numerous 'beginners' books aimed at giving a light hearted opening of heavy and complex topics.

Also, how about comedic films that have undertones of philosophical notions?

I don't think it true to link humour to being less educated, rather it is as a useful tool that helps people deal with life.

[HumanslaughterhouseX]

Wow.. absolutely dumbfounded to say the least.. It is now so apparent to me why the younger generations seem so much less intellectual.. this video was eye opening, frightening, and extraordinary.

[ilabstudios]

Only logic comment to be made here is by @advogadohistoriador who I agree with. It only recently dawned on me how much rapid stimulus being sent to my brain while watching TV effected my cognitive development as a child. I learned that TV programming is heavily edited in "sequences" in order to manipulate the TV flicker-rate (amount of light entering eye per frame) in order to lull users into a trance and be more engaged. This technique was pioneered by the Soviets and then CIA for mind control.

[osei1977]

Good video

[advogadohistoriador]

This is about rewiring human beings for "peace", by removing our ability to think for ourselves. This is about what Unesco refered to as "erecting the pillars of peace inside the minds of men". I guess they were quite literal :)

Check out Julian Huxley's writings - before joining Unesco, he was a zoologist. Skinner himself did loads of animal experiments when developing his extremely influential ideas about the education of human beings.

Read about eugenics, as it ties into this as well.

[advogadohistoriador]

Operant conditioning has long been part of our lives. Nowadays, even game designers openly write articles discussing the use of such techniques. As a species, we are being prepared/trained for a future we did not choose. This has a lot to do with transhumanism and posthumanism. This has everything to do with merging with technology. We are being conditioned to function as information-processing automatons, with no thinking between the stimuli we receive and our responses.

[advogadohistoriador]

Read "CONVERGING TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING HUMAN PERFORMANCE:

NANOTECHNOLOGY, BIOTECHNOLOGY, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

AND COGNITIVE SCIENCE". This government report will give you a good idea about what is planned for the future of your children.

[grvalentine20]

If you want to be free, turn off your tv

[puppypincher]

Is this a joke? A film about the role TV plays in making people stupid using experiments on animals to make its point. Duh! One of the dumbest things humans do is rely on animal experiments to prove anything about humans, except how dumb some humans are!

[osei1977]

@puppypincher OK...so how do you know that the shampoo, or the skin cream that you use is safe ?....Doh..... I guess they tested it on an animal. Would you use skin products that hadn't been tested on animals? I wouldn't !

[puppypincher]

@osei1977 Animals are not the same as humans and they react differently when fed poisons.Sheep can eat arsenic and penicillin kills guinea pigs, for example. there are many such examples. All of the toxic products sloshing around our world have been tested on animals yet they are poisonous to humans! Animal testing does not prove safety it simply gives the corporations the rubber stamp they need to peddle their junk, and you can prove anything if you use the right animal.

[weirdalyank33]

@osei1977 i put foreign goo on my ass

[Misstressofdons]

@puppypincher didn't you see he also cited a study where seattle parents and their kids were given building blocks to play with, there were 2groups: one who recieved blocks later than the other and they examined the effects of language produced. those who received blocks later scored in the 40th percentile (42% i think it was) and that's pretty low. i think you could even cite real life examples of TV's detrimental effects on cognitive development.

[puppypincher]

@Misstressofdons I have absolutely no doubt about the dark mission of the TV. It is a poison which should not be fed to children or animals. My point is that torturing and tormenting animals in laboratories is not an appropriate method for proving human responses and cannot be relied upon either scientifically or morally.

[Misstressofdons]

@puppypincher i took your initial comment to mean that you believed no human studies were cited, which is why i responded to your comment. I also believe animals shouldn't be used for testing since their physiology is so different to ours and such testing has had grave consequences on humans (Thalidomide being one example of a drug which passed initial tests on chimps but affected humans badly) - but youtube didn't let me post it ><

[Namaste1001]

Turn off your T.V. They don't call them programmes for nothing.

[cb90222]

@Namaste1001, not to mention (but I will) they call the stations "channels" so are they or we channeling evil spirits when watching TV ?

[organicsuperman]

All this technology taking over human life, NOT GOOD AT ALL.

[Hippocrocaronarat]

I would be interested on his thoughts regarding modern internet "gaming" in this context as well.

[Septennial]

thanks alot

[MsAreshka]

Every young caring mother should watch this!!

[buckleit]

* Thanks Dimitri; may the Gods of funding shower you grants.

* Mr. Rogers clip at 9:40 -- priceless; great contrast, great examples.

* "we need real time play and less fast paced media" -- logical, but don't low income pops come with other confounds?

* You had me till the mice. Kinda different than a kid.

* Love "change the beginning of the story, change whole story" (aka Perry Preschool Study).

* Wish you'd differentiate between interactive and non-interactive screens.

Great talk!!!!