And that deep reading no longer exist, and if that’s the case we are struggling to even be able to sit still long enough to immerse ourselves in deep reading. Carr goes on to explain the reason why this is the case, which he blames on spending a lot of time online, searching and surfing the internet. But he then goes on to say, “the web has been a godsend to me as a writer. Research that once required days and stacks or periodical rooms of libraries can now be done in minutes.” In this quote Carr is simply saying that even though the internet has made us more lazy as individuals it does have its’ perks especially for a writer like himself. There is no need to
I get fidgety, lose the thread, begin looking for something else to do. I feel as if I’m always dragging my wayward brain back to the text. The deep reading that used to come naturally has become a struggle” (p. 67). Carr believes that if less time were spent on the Internet, one would not be experiencing such difficulties with their passion for reading, or lack thereof. Carr is of the notion that, not only is the web good for reading articles, scanning blog- posts, checking or writing e-mails, watching videos and many other cool things; he also thinks that it is efficient for doing research, which once took hours in the library.
There are many famous people including Bauerlein himself were having an argument with another group of people on whether digital culture is an advantage or not. He backs up his opinion by saying “Together they form an imposing countervailing force, an alliance to slow the headlong rush to technologies learning, reading, writing, and intellectual life.” Bauerlein believes digital culture had cut of young adults’ understanding on literature and history because at this time, young adults would prefer to find answers on the Internet; therefore, reading also becomes a problem. Even though teenagers are willing to adapt the new learning style is an advantage for them; however, they should not abandon the old way of studying. Bauerlein said “If it doesn't happen in high school, in college and in home at this time, it probably never will.” Young adults should be aware of how to study when there aren’t any digital culture provided, on the other
The instant entertainment, communication, and social media all gone, people’s lives would probably be destroyed. We are too reliant on technology and it’s becoming part of our lives. Computers and cell phones affect social interaction, interferes with family obligations, and shortens ones attention span. Although this “supersystem” provides us with the best entertainment and is always convenient, we should go into the outside world and do activities without the use of the internet. Instead of wasting valuable time browsing the web, try going to a fundraiser or book signing.
In Nicholas Carr essay, “Is Google Making Us Stupid,” he states that people are losing focus easier than before and instead of reading the material, that they are skimming over it. Most of our time is spent on the internet. We tend to skim over information and move to the next thing, me myself I am guilty of this. Nicholas also makes the statement, “The Human brain is just an outdated computer that needs a faster processor and a bigger hard drive. I feel like he uses this to show how the internet has skimmed our brains.
However, Google has a huge amount of information and much of it could be wrong. For example, the Wikipedia website is not a good source of information because normal people write the information in it and not specialists. Therefore, if we get wrong information, then our knowledge would be wrong. Carr also discussed that the Internet is an imaginary world, and all the people are behind the computer screens. Therefore, whenever we access a website, Google can collect more information about us, and if we access more websites, then that would be easier and faster for them to collect the information they want.
With this beginning, Carr starts to explain to us that his mind has also become much more erratic since his use of the internet. “…an uncomfortable sense that someone, or something, has been tinkering with my brain, remapping the neural circuitry, reprogramming the memory. My mind isn’t going but it’s changing,” is what Carr writes to compare the supercomputer’s mind with his (Carr 67). His mind, as he states, “begins to look for something else to do” (Carr 67). Carr finds a published study of online research habits conducted by scholars from the University College London.
I feel as if I'm always dragging my wayward brain back to the text. The deep reading that used to come naturally has become a struggle." He says this change is because of all the time he spends online. As a writer, he finds the Web a valuable tool, but he thinks it's having a bad effect on his concentration.
Some experts believe excessive use of the Internet, cellphones and other technologies can cause us to become more impatient, impulsive, forgetful and even more narcissistic. “More and more, life is resembling the chat room,” says Dr. Elias Aboujaoude, director of the Impulse Control Disorders Clinic at Stanford. “We’re paying a price in terms of our cognitive life because of this virtual lifestyle.” We do spend a lot of time with our devices, and some studies have suggested that excessive dependence on cellphones and the Internet is akin to an addiction. Web sites like NetAddiction.com offer self-assessment tests to determine if technology has become a drug. Among the questions used to identify those at risk: Do you neglect housework to spend more time online?
Does the internet make you smarter or dumber? There is a complex debate over the internet and whether it is making society smarter or dumber for that matter. The debate focuses on the internet and the intellectuality of individuals and if the internet hinders or is progressing society as a whole. Some critics argue that the internet contributes to the decline of our mental state. On the other hand, others argue the internet promotes and encourages literacy.