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A.D.D.: Adolescent Demo Division (2012)

by Douglas Rushkoff(Favorite Author)

2.59 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

1401223559 (ISBN13: 9781401223557)

languge

English

genre

Science Fiction

publisher

Vertigo

review 1: This was a disappointment. It read like a comic book for kids written by a media studies professor who only ever interacts with adults. There are some interesting themes about video game culture, subliminal messaging, and modern consumerism--but they're completely oversimplified to the point of seeming like pulp sci-fi rather than an a meditation on contemporary culture. And all of the tropes are taken from other places--kids thinking they're playing video games, but actually being used for a higher purpose; a futuristic teen culture that has developed it's own bizarre slang; test-tube babies and cloning; etc.The plot itself is highly confusing and seemingly orchestrated to discuss specific themes related to media rather than build a coherent plot. I mean, what exactly are... more the A.D.D. kids being used for? I was never really clear on what financial value they had to the company. And what exactly were they trying to do to the kids who "leveled up"?And my biggest complaint is that for a book whose message is so over-simplified, there are random scenes that are far too violent and adult. Most of the book seems like it's for kids, and then there are those violent bullying scenes in the shower and the references to the one girl in the group possibly being abused. What is up with that?Why this book got positive reviews, I have no idea.
review 2: It was a mess. An interesting mess but a mess nonetheless. It was too short so nothing had any time to develop, characters or ideas; but it's full of zeitgeist, practically brimming with it, so if you do read it, then you can be safe in the knowledge that you're riding the latest and sexiest of waves in popular culture. That may be one of it's other problems, it's just trying too damn hard to be current and relevant and ends up feeling like a slightly more gruesome episode of Level Up. Not that Level Up is a bad show by any means but it seems the creators of this book were trying to be a bit more subversive. I don't like star ratings because they feel a little meaningless. So I'll give it a meaningless three because it's well drawn and it does contain a mix of ideas that I find I'm drawn to. However, I'm finding that I disagree with all the quotes from famous and better authors that are placed neatly on the cover. I suggest you believe Cory Doctorow, Grant Morrison and Ann Nocenti before you believe me because I am a mere reader. less

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