More on Everything Bad is Good

If I'm interpreting this correctly, all those "bad" things can actually be a plus (or something good) for libraries and educational organizations.  We need to use these "bad" things to move our patrons and students in a desirable direction.  Specifically, we can use "bad" gaming sessions to bring in more young patrons, and once they start seeing the library as a cool place to hang then we will hopefully have increased circulation (of not just games, but audio visual and books as well).  Facebook and social networking is another "bad" tool that can help public libraries connect with patrons.  The more innovative PL's consider facebook as an outreach tool; they go to where their patrons might be.

With educational environments, we must use these "bad" tools to our advantage as well.  With all the technological stimulation our young learners receive outside of the classroom, we actually shut down their ability to learn if we use teaching techniques from the 20th century.  Innovative and forward-thinking educators understand that they must make use of web 2.0 technologies to entice their students.  An example would be the use of a blog to discuss a class novel instead of a journal notebook.  What young student will turn away the opportunity to use a keyboard over a piece of paper?  

While this may seem like a big disconnect, I will take the risk of mentioning that tonight's World News Tonight segment reported that the 50 year-old Barbie doll now comes with a set of removable tattoos.  Initially, we may think this is an absurd idea - Barbie with tattoos!  However, upon further analysis, Barbie's maker is using something society generally considers "bad" (tattoos) and making it for good.  Of course, they are looking for "good" profits.  We can further analyze the inclusion of this "bad" element and turn it around to make for teachable moments and discussions with our youngsters - dangers of dirty needles in less than reputable tattoo shops, the permanent nature of tatoos and the painful treatments which individuals endure when they change their minds, etc.