Penguin Books

The digital divide; arguments for and against Facebook, Google, texting, and the age of social networking.

In The Dumbest Generation (2008), Bauerlein (English, Emory U.), argued that digital social media are negatively impacting intelligence and therefore, our future. In this collection of excerpts from published works from 1995-2010, contributors express a gamut of views relating to today's Web 2.0 culture. Some make the case that while digital networks promote different ways of thinking, they can either foster "Google gullibility" or greater participation and collaboration. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Life gets better; the unexpected pleasures of growing older.

Lustbader, an author, social worker, and professor who works with older people, their families and caregivers, draws on the stories of her friends and clients, her own experiences, and other sources to illustrate how life gets better as people age. She argues that worshiping youth is an error, and shows how self-knowledge, gratitude, recognition of commonalities, relationships, spirituality, generosity, insight, understanding what matters, and self-confidence grow as people age. Dealing with loss becomes easier, hindsight offers new perspective, and other aspects of life become clearer. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)