I have grown up with having the internet available to me my whole life. Of course computers have drastically advanced since the early 90’s. We now have computers that are fully touch screen including the key board, wireless internet, amazing graphics, and innovative software. When we were told to read Nicholas Carr’s article about Google I was automatically interested and knew right then that I would enjoy reading the article. He discusses a lot of his own experiences concerning the fluctuations in technology over time and how these changes have affected his learning, attention span, and laziness. I know from my own experience that if I try to read a book or article, I honestly have to work hard to stay concentrated. I often wonder in my thoughts and find myself having to go back and re-read previous pages. Carr discusses in his article that, “Now my concentration often starts to drift after two or three pages. 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.” Carr’s problems are the same as mine; however, the difference is that I have had this problem since a very early age so I know how to deal with it better. Carr has only recently had this problem since computers evolved. He stated that he used to be able to sit down and totally immerse himself in a novel and not have to worry about a wondering mind. With today’s available technology, a wondering mind is almost an included and expected side package. E books for example are extremely cost affective and convenient; however, as a college student reading a book online, we might all of a sudden find ourselves browsing face book or listening to Pandora radio without even meaning to.
I feel that technology is an amazing asset to our generation. I do not feel that it makes us stupid or lazy; I do however feel that we could let technology make us lazy or less mentally sharp. An example would be if one could analyze a map in order to navigate themselves to their destination or they could use their Garmin navigation system or go on their laptop and map quest their directions. The different forms of technology are available to us, we are not required to use these products, we choose to use them. This fact is important for us and the media to realize before they state that technology could be making us stupid. The question should be is the human race making themselves stupid with their available technology and resources? Are we taking advantage of our innovative technology? If anything, I feel this is a valid question that should be asked and would bring up a whole new realm of ideas and questions.
All of today’s innovative technology is converting our world to a different way of thinking, learning, and merely living. Just because past generations did things different doesn’t mean that our generation shouldn’t try and improve our way of living and improve all aspects of our world. By saying that technology and Google is making us stupid, does this mean that we should still be watching black and white televisions and using crank telephones? Take reading for example… we are still reading the same material and getting the same message but it is on the internet instead of in a book. The other aspect is that it can be found in minutes on the web whereas finding specific information in a specific book could take hours. So are we being lazy or are we just making life easier for us in order to get work done faster, be more productive, and get more done more efficiently in order to have a healthier and more sustainable economy.
After surfing YouTube, I came across a brief video of an IT specialist discussing how our world is shifting completely to computers and what that entails. This relates to what Carr discusses and also what we have discussed in class, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-KqDXHB__M. Everyone in today’s world realizes that we are shifting completely to computers and technology and resorting back to books and libraries less and less. We discuss this subject extensively in class because of the thought of the future of education; will there be books, will there be mandatory computers at each desk, and will there even be a teacher or will it all be transmitted through the internet onto our computer screens. The future has much in store for us that we would never have believed to be possible. I’ am very excited for this change because I feel it will help our world and give us resources to succeed far more than we currently do. However, some might have a different outlook upon this subject and are scared of change, and think maybe it will make our society languid and unready similar to what Carr is discussing in his article about Google.
Works Cited
Carr, Nicholas. “Is Google Making Us Stupid?” July/August 2008. theatlantic.com. 21, October 2008. http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200807/google
View our Course Readings for any other information on in class resources available.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-KqDXHB__M.
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