In today's world, research on the internet is encouraged. Many students for example, are able to increase their knowledge base on a subject for a school project. Carr made a good point when he discussed that the "new forms of "reading" are emerging as users "power browse" horizontally through titles, contents pages and abstracts going for quick wins." However, I don't necessarily see this as a loss. If the student is able to go through an article picking out the important things, why is it an issue? That's the main goal isn't it? How can Google be "making us stupid" when knowledge and information is taken from it? Just like "our map and our clock, our printing press and our typewriter, our calculator and our telephone, and our radio and TV," the internet is simply another invention. What is society going to do - downgrade from what has already become? This simply isn't going to happen. There are many negative outlooks when it comes to the internet, but it is also important to look at the upsides. The fact is, it is up to each individual to decide if it is worth it or not.
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Is Google Making Us Stupid?
Nicholas Carr's article definitely solidified the fact that the internet using population simply uses "a form of skimming activity" when they read articles. If it weren't for the fact that I had to read the entire thing in order to complete this blog and not feel guilty, I certainly would have skimmed it. Not because "I'm just seeking convenience," but because it was dull and drab. It dragged on and on, and it didn't even mention anything about Google until the fifth page! This is the very reason why many people do not read or wish to read an article or book through and through. If the content does not grab the readers attention and interests, who can blame him or her for not reading it? It is unfair for Carr to say that "Google is making us stupid." How can he generalize for an entire population? Each brain differs from person to person. There are plenty of people out there who enjoy reading and who yearn for information on a variety of topics. Some may enjoy basketball over football, and some enjoy watching YouTube videos over reading articles; it is simply a personal preference. Whether someone is reading a book, skimming an article, browsing the web, or is deeply engrossed in a novel, it is unfair to think that everyone can come away with "real wisdom" instead of "the conceit of wisdom." It is important to know the difference between wisdom and intelligence.
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People do have different preferences when it comes to researching. Many people do not like having to read a lengthy article. The article itself was too long and unmaneagable because it sometimes would repeat itself. There is no point in wasting our time reading something so long, when it would take seconds to find on Google. "There are many negative outlooks when it comes to the internet, but it is also important to look at the upsides." I almost thought that Google was making us more stupid because of the less thinking we have to do. It is a very negative thing to us, but also very positive because we don't have to waste our time. For school, Google is definitely a tool that could help us improve our school work instead of using it as our main resource.
ReplyDeleteI am a world class "power browser" because I like to be the most efficient I can be with the little time I have. I like your thinking that this acceptable. There are of course incidents where we need to know specifics but when it comes down to it, we really need to know the big ideas and key points. Who is going to read a 20 page article and at the end see a paragraph saying "Key Points" and not get frustrated! You could have taken five minutes to learn all that you needed to! Nice post Chloe!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Chloe there are definitely certain tradeoffs when it comes to the internet. However much Carr may resent the rise of the internet, it is merely practical to continue to build better and better computers. Decreasing attention spans are a reasonable sacrifice for more knowledge and potential answers to major world problems that could be unlocked. If people are really that concerned about the drawbacks of the advancement of technology, they can go read a huge essay like this one and restore the abilities that are fading.
ReplyDeleteVery well written Chloe. Your aggressive stance in the first paragraph let me know immediately where you stood on this topic. Rather early on, you stated, "If the content does not grab the readers attention and interests, who can blame him or her for not reading it?" I can certainly comply with this statement. It's like the unwritten rule teachers always tell us about books-- if you get through fifty pages and don't enjoy the content, you should stop. Although this appears a smaller scale, this idea still surely applies. In the second paragraph, you addressed "power browsing." I subscribed to your idea when you wrote, " How can Google be "making us stupid" when knowledge and information is taken from it?" This arises as comprehension if I am not mistaken, and if articles are comprehended, we are taking steps away from stupidity, correct? Anyhow, I believed all you had to say was greatly plausible.
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