Not only does Carr believe this but states others, including friends and colleagues are also experiencing this affect. Carr’s goal is to push readers to think more critically about the negative impact internet usage can have on one’s ability to read and articulate articles. Although Carr provides some anecdotal evidence it is not sufficient evidence to prove that Google is making us stupid. In completing a critical analysis of Carr’s essay I will examine both the weaknesses and strengths of his argument and provide research and literature to support my belief that Google is not in fact making us stupid. Carr begins his essay by saying “I’ve had the uncomfortable feeling that over the past few years someone, or something has been tinkering with [his] brain”(91).
Josh Haning Mr. Rogers English Final 05/31/2011 Us Stupid Google Making Is As times change, so must our methods of dealing with them. The evolution of media has changed the way we absorb information from writing to radio to television and so on. During these trans-formative periods, skills are lost and skills are gained; but to label the internet as the catalyst for the degeneration of our intelligence goes a bit too far. In his article ”Is Google Making Us Stupid” Nicholas Carr argues that, in its current form, the internet is not conducive to the kind of deep thought required when reading a long article or novel. He feels that while the internet is extremely useful, it is designed to distract as opposed to focus the mind.
This portrays Wowser’s bitter view on younger drivers and positions the audience to think all young people are irresponsible and ineligible to be driving on our roads. This causes apprehension and fear for safety in readers. The appeal to common sense is used as the author writes ‘in the business world,
It was one of his favorite things to do, but over time he believes the way he thinks changed. He gives examples of how everything has become so much easier for us and instead of picking up a book and really getting into the details of it he just skims. He also states how the internet is like searching for a prize and finding instant information then moving on. The essay starts with a part of a movie, "A Space Odyssey". In the beginning, the guy has an artificial brain that he feels is disconnecting.
Summary of “Is Google Making Us Stupid” by Nicholas Carr Nicholas Carr argues in, “Is Google Making us Stupid?” that the internet is changing the way we think. The internet looks to be slowly taking away the ability to focus very long, and is becoming the most widely used medium for information. Carr has the feeling that he no longer thinks like he used to. Reading a long book or article is no longer enjoyable to him. He attributes this feeling to the extensive use of the internet and computers, even though this usage of the internet has been to help him write.
Nicholas Carr is the author of the article “Is Goggle making us stupid? Google proponents say that it’s not, they say that we don’t have to use our memory as much as before. Thanks to Google we have more time now to daydream or brainstorm. Or that we can see Google as an huge external hard disk for our brain. Carr thinks that this is bullshit.
One of the first points that Hornsby tries to make is that Carr’s argument has not been proven by any long term studies. Carr is just basing his essay’s argument off of his own experience and personal opinions. In 2008, however, a study was done at UCLA that gave sufficient evidence that searching the web actually aids and improves a person’s brain function. The article states that”UCLA scientists have found that for computer-savvy middle-aged and older adults, searching the Internet triggers key centers in the brain that control decision-making and complex reasoning. The findings demonstrate that Web search activity may help stimulate and possibly improve brain function.” (Internet Altering our Brains .1) If this study is accurate then it
The invention of the phonetic alphabet caused writers to start using rules while writing. According to Carr, “The advances in book technology changed the personal experience of reading and writing” (Carr66). A map is something we don’t think of as being a technology. Reading a map caused us to have a more abstract mind. The Internet is a technology that changed the way we read.
Technological knowledge is a must for everybody to not be left behind in a fast-paced environment we live in. But even this statement is somewhat outdated. Now taking part and being in social media is a necessity to be synchronized with the new life changing. Lakshmi Chaudhry points it out explaining how easy it became for some people to gain fame through technology, “An honor once reserved for World leaders […] down the street”. And is it possible to say that this knowledge is part of this modern literacy?
Opening up a book and reading something , that has substance and draws your interest to turn the next page and read more, is what i would call valuable reading. Mr. Carr is saying that we have gotten far away from that . There is a new way in which we are reading. Online users are “power browsing” through titles, contents pages, and abstracts. I personally don’t use the internet much, but when I have used it I found it to be useful.