Are Americans on media overload?

In the Census Bureau's 2007 Statistical Abstract of the United States, one statistic finds that Americans spent more of their lives than ever this year — about eight-and-a-half hours a day — watching television, using computers, listening to the radio, going to the movies or reading. It's alarming and one might wonder if this kind of trend is contributing to a general "dumbing down" of American youth and young adults. Don't get me wrong; today's young people are very savvy when it comes to certain things. But when it comes to basic knowledge about world events and political issues in their own backyard, far too many lack some of the most basic knowledge.

You can read more about who we Americans are and what we do in today's online version of the New York Times.The statistics are amazing.