Cody Janowski 12/2/10 English Comp Assignment 4 The Internet has undoubtedly changed the way people live their lives. Any information we could possibly want- and more- is at our disposal, and has made life for us incredibly convenient and easy; some, however, might say too easy. One of these people is Nicholas Carr, author of the article “Is Google Making Us Stupid?” featured in the July/August 2008 edition of The Atlantic. Carr argues that the Net seems to be slowly demolishing our abilities to concentrate on one subject, as well as contemplate information, based on the ease of access to everything the Internet provides today. I agree with Carr to an extent; however I would say that his theory most certainly does not apply to everyone.
Lately, there have been many news stories about young adults who have committed suicide due to cyberbullying. In today’s society, the internet has become very common and it plays a major role in teenagers’ lives. They can shop, express their thoughts, and even make new friends online. It is also important to note how easy it is to distribute information across the internet in very little time. While there are positive outcomes of the internet, there still exist dangerous aspects to it, such as bullying.
He compares and contrasts how his life was with the Web and without it. For example, “Just as Microsoft Word had turned me into a flesh-and-blood word processor, the Internet, I sensed, was turning me into something like a high-speed data-processing machine, a human HAL (325). The Web has changed him in such a way that he felt like a machine. He wanted to stay connected, therefore, he would yearn to check his e-mail, click links, or explore on Google. He noticed the Net was having a much stronger influence over him than his PC ever had (324).
David Foster Wallace states, “Learning how to think really means learning how to exercise control over how and what you think (Carr 195). According to Carr, “The seductions of technology are hard to resist, and in our age of instant information the benefits of speed and efficiency can seem desirable beyond debate” (224). Unlike machines, human beings possess free will. People can choose to limit internet usage. They can choose to engage in deep thinking activities.
Her change in attitude was largely due to her placement in a healthy foster family environment. Nai lived in two foster homes until her final placement with a supportive and loving foster family. At first, it was really difficult for her foster family as they were not sure how to emotionally connect with the quiet and reserved teen. Nai explains that it was just very difficult for them to understand what she was going through. But, her foster parents supported her as much as they could, and encouraged her to become involved in school academics and sports to keep her active and busy.
Little did I know that the next activity would allow us to get to know each other even more. This activity immediately got me excited. Almost all my other classes I had been to so far went through the normal expected class in “syllabus week”, putting me nearly to sleep. However Education 300 was right away interesting and engaging. The first activity was working
Syed Hamza Amir 1 Professor Meredith Allison English 1303 23 September 2010 The Future of the Internet As our web experience continues to evolve at an exponential rate, it has provided us with more technology to publish our own content that had once been available only to the few. This rapid expansion in the ability of humans to publish new content has created a new flurry of debate over whether this is enhancing or destroying our culture. Two authors, Andrew Keen and Clay Shirky, tackle this issue with two very different conclusions. Keen provides valid points but falls short and seems like a hypocrite in his condemnation of web 2.0. On the other hand, Shirky gives a complete and thorough view in favor of our ability to publish
By using the internet as a resource, we depend on it by quickly finding answers to all our questions in a matter of minutes which changes how we process information. Carr states that we become too dependent and almost expect to find answers so quickly since it sensually serves its purpose of being convenient to people who are trying to get answers right away and eliminate having to read longer texts. Carr, Nicholas. “Rural>City>Cyberspace: The Biggest Migration in Human History.” The Norton Field Guide to Writing with Readings. Ed.
Franzen then goes on to write about how technology has made living much more “likeable”, it is much easier to like something in cyberspace than in real life. He appeals to his readers through pathos. He tries to speak to our feelings by saying “We can handle being disliked now and then, because there is such an infinitely big pool of potential “likers”. But to expose your whole self, not just the likable surface, and to have it rejected, can be catastrophically painful.” He claims people are having a relationship to their cell phone and other technological devices. Throughout the entire essay Franzen uses arguments saying we do not appreciate the physical world enough.
The development of technology and its affect on the writing process has been a pervasive controversy. Technology has significantly benefited the writing process for many reasons. The writing process has evolved from handwriting to typewriting and, finally, to virtual writing and with every progression, came an advantage. Within Jennifer Lee’s (2002) “I Think, Therefore IM” and Katie Hafner’s (2004) “For Some, the Blogging Never Stops”, one can come to the conclusion that although the use of technology has become an addiction and distraction to many, it has made the writing process simple and rapid. Technology matters to writing.