(Mostly, the parent can't learn.)
Short, true, Dutch subtitles:
If books came after games:
There's a new book called Bad for You that's just come out in January 2013. I knew about the prejudices and nonsense about comic books and paperback books, before people were so incensed about TV and video games. But that book documents similar "sky-is-falling" panics about radio, telephone, trains, telegraph, public libraries, the printing press, books themselves, writing/taking notes, back to the Greeks.
The prejudices are very embarrassing in retrospect. What people are saying now about TV and video games will be just as embarrassing to our grandchildren.
Here's what I wrote the day I got my copy:
Bad for You: Exposing the War on Fun! by Kevin C. Pyle and Scott Cunningham.New book, attractive, all illustrated, much of it comic-book style. Major sections: Comics, Games, Technology, Play and Thought. It goes way back, thousands of years. I learned a word: ephebiphobia. Fear or loathing of the young, they define it. There are written examples back to the Eqyptians, about how these kids today are just no good.It doesn't look text-rich, but it really is, and though some of the things are very funny, they're also sadly true! It's about dangers debunked and in many small ways it will neutralize seemingly sensible arguments too many people believe without really thinking.
I suspect this will be one of those books kids get in trouble for owning or quoting, and that will be shared around at school, hidden under desks, and confiscated by teachers. Knowledge is power, and ephebiphobics Do NOT want kids to have power.
Help to overcome prejudices:
Book Worship/anti-TV, anti-video, anti-anything-but-booksValue and Uses of TV and Video for Unschoolers
Whether to forbid or limit access to video and television is a recurring topic among parents and homeschoolers. It's great to find learning everywhere!
Scooby Doo in particular (don't be afraid)
Clarity
How Unschooling Changes People
