Reactions to Digital Nation: Marc Prensky

You asked for my reactions:

How can I say this---there's lots of room for improvement, which I very much hope gets done before its released.

Here's are the two things I would like most to see:

1. A MUCH faster pace (this is 1940's documentary paced.) Only old people (or people constrained like me) are likely to watch it to the end, and some of the better stuff comes later. One suggestion: Put it through one of the video speed-up programs that don't change the sound (one exists in MS Media player) and have it run at twice the speed.

2. Lots more real COUNTERPOINT and clashes of opinion. People make statement after controversial statement with no direct rebuttal. Over and over again things are said about which I (and others) violently disagree, and there is no IMMEDIATE expressing of the other point(s) of view. This would be a MUCH stronger work if, after, every clip, someone who violently disagreed came on and said why. Small, Bauerline, Turkle, Salen, Prensky, Rushkoff and many more all basically give opinions, or use evidence that is really debatable. No one takes the other side, until maybe (in some cases) much later, when it is unconnected and lost all its relevance and power.

So I'd love to see an organization like: "Question, YES, NO": e.g.:

"Is being totally cut off on vacation good?" Yes argument, No argument. (With the question and each argument titled as such)

"Are laptops in schools more positive than negative?" Yes argument, No argument.

"Is the so-called addiction in Korea really a cause for worry?" Yes argument, No argument.

"Are kids doing themselves a disservice?" Yes argument, No argument.

"Are the research and experiments discussed here worth anything?" Yes argument, No argument.

"Do the brain scans we see matter?" Yes argument, No argument.

"Do we need unmultitasked time for thinking? How much?" Yes argument, No argument.

"Are there really any "experts" in any of this stuff?" Yes argument, No argument.

"Are kids who film themselves "goofing off?" Yes argument, No argument.

"Are reading and writing still basic skills?" Yes argument, No argument.

"Are there no good writers among youth today?" Yes argument, No argument.

"Is the use of drones positive or negative" Yes argument, No argument.

"Can't we teach the connections some say are lacking?" Yes argument, No argument.

"Should a mother like Rachel worry?" Yes argument, No argument. etc. etc.

To me, that organization would be really useful. The piece as now constituted caused me to continually ask "What is the point the film is trying to make?" and "How is this helping me?"

My sense is that this film could be sooo much better, even with mostly the same material (+ some small additions, many of which you probably already have on tape.) Again, I very much hope you take another shot before releasing it. Sorry I can't be more positive.