Nicholas Carr wrote the article “Is Google making us stupid” and it was published in July/August 2008. Carr is adamant that the internet is making people stupid. He also discusses how it has affected our attention span and thinking. His arguments are supported by research from other universities and groups. This suggests that we may be experiencing a paradigm shift in our thinking. So, does google make us stupid? I say no. Humans don’t change, but eras do.

Carr begins his essay by stating that he is having trouble concentrating when reading long texts. The Internet can make it harder to focus and reflect on the content, he suggests. He offers some anecdotes from bloggers who describe the changes in their writing and reading habits over time. He also examines a University College London study that was conducted in 2008 about new reading styles that will be prevalent in the information age. He cites Maryanne Wolf’s research on reading behavior, which includes theories about technology and media and how they can help people learn new languages. Although he admits that there isn’t much evidence to support this theory, he points to Wolf’s Proust and the Squid to explain how the brain adapts to environmental changes to be literate in new areas. According to him, the Internet just happens to be another type of environment where we can adapt uniquely. He worried that the internet was changing to make the computer more human-like. The internet will make us a more automated machine. Twitter and email allow users to communicate in 36 ways simultaneously. However, they are unable to concentrate on any of the dialogs. Carr noted that one of the worst effects of information overload is our inability to focus on a single area. This will lead to anxiety and a half-knowledge reader. His brain is being controlled, he said. While reading, our thinking style is very different. After reading two pages, attention can drift to other things and it becomes difficult to focus on the next page. It is possible that the brain circuit nerve is being controlled by the network, he believes. He discusses how Internet access might reduce concentration. He refers to Nietzsche’s example from the past, who used an old typewriter back in the 1880s. Nietzsche’s style of writing changed, according to one theory. Carr describes this as a demonstration of neuroplasticity. This scientific theory states that neural circuits are in constant and changing state. He refers to Daniel Bell’s theory that technology can enhance human cognition. This is because humans are unable to consciously conform or recognize the qualities of these patterns. As an example, he uses the clock to show how technology has both regulated and improved human behavior and perception. It seems like google is asking us to make negative analyses, which leads us to believe the information he has given. We should pay attention to the fact that websites can only provide information according to specific authority. Perhaps our critical thinking is not so good and we aren’t able to tell the difference between true and fake. This was possible because we could read books in libraries. The internet can make it happen for us. The internet is able to outsource our memory and even our identities. Carr refers to the internet as a drug. It is available for a limited time, and it can be purchased at a very low price. It’s like taking narcotics. This stimulates the brain to produce a sharp shock that causes our unconscious and conscious thinking to be shortened and allows us to think more creatively. James, George Mason’s neurologist, said that drosophila is capable of rebuilding its brain and modifying its running function. Google is changing the brain’s functioning in the same way that drosophila can. Carr uses strong arguments to argue that the internet has made us lazy. It all depends on who you are. Our first ECE class, as a computer science major, teaches us how to use Google search. Because the internet feels like an extension and part of my body, it’s also a subconscious thought. I find it difficult to focus on a program challenge when I do not feel passionate about solving it. I prefer to just use the internet resources like’stackoverflow’. I can enter the program’s requirements and the website will display various masterpieces created by its predecessor. It is also possible to have grammar checked automatically by a website called Grammarly after I’ve completed English writing. In the short-term, this new way of thinking is easier and quicker. This does not make it easier to innovate and learn new cultures. In some ways, Google makes me lazy. The internet is a distraction to our attention, which I completely agree with. Carr said that people lose their patience for reading long articles. I tend to prefer fragmented, readable reading that includes some recommended articles. Reading fragmented can have negative impacts on rational and logical thinking. Fragmentation reading comes with a brow. Since the beginning, there has been an answer to both pros and cons. Contrary to the traditional view, while most books focus on one aspect and provide a background, it is possible to learn more about the history, which can aid in understanding the topic better. So, does that mean the internet makes people stupid? It doesn’t seem so to me. This question has a full answer. I understand that Carr was concerned about an old saying, “Things develop in the reverse direction when they become extremely.” Google is too full of information and convenience. While we might lose some things, what we gain is often more than what we lose. In almost all cases, the internet remains an important information channel. It provides quick access to news and information from around the world. Socrates was concerned about the ancient technology of information. He believes that reading will replace memory and make us less smart. Similar arguments are also available since the creation of media and printing. This argument will apply to all writing and books. This may lead to brain decline. Over the last 50 years, our intelligence has increased dramatically. Many people believe that we are more intelligent than ever before. This is not due to education or food. It doesn’t necessarily mean we are more intelligent than our ancestors. We are just different. Google’s ability to make use of multiple resources is a huge contribution. The internet’s continuous growth and use of big data has led to increased integration of resources. I think that humans are changing their thinking and moving with the times. The virtual world can bring about changes in human lives but it should also change how we think. The network technology influences the human mind mode. It reflects creativity, innovation, and virtuosity. This improves cognitive process as well as practice. Internet speeds up the delivery of news and information. The internet has allowed people to expand their cognitive capabilities. Paul Bloom, Yale University’s psychologist, believes the internet can help people be smarter and more compassionate. He also believes it can evoke the feeling of face-to face communication. The internet can also make information more accessible and democratized, allowing groups to compete with each other. It’s not that people aren’t being stupid. We are now living in the network era. I do agree that the internet has altered our thinking and made us lazy and distracted. People have become more dependent on the internet and are used to reading in fragmented ways. It is important to be mindful of how much we rely on internet resources.

michaellang

Michael Lang is a 33-year-old professor and blogger who is passionate about writing. He has been blogging for over 7 years and has written for various online publications. Michael is also a seasoned professor who has taught at the college level for over a decade. He is currently a professor of English at a community college in the Midwest.