In “Is Google Making Us Stupid?” Nicholas Carr draws attention to the perils of excessive technological dependence, warning those who do so, that they run the risk of “altering” their “mental habits” and cognitive capabilities irreversibly (2008). Carr seeks to demonstrate that the deterioration of cognitive functions is not arising from the evolving of information systems, but of pure human laziness.
Cognitive capabilities (Reasoning)
Carr discusses the ways in which his cognitive capabilities have been altered through his increased use of the internet. Carr explains, “My concentration often starts to drift after two or three pages. I get fidgety, lose the thread, begin looking for something else to do” (Carr, 2008). Carr reflects on his …show more content…
Carr states how his own memory is being affected by skimming through information on the internet and jumping from one page to the next. Carr attempts to send a message of warning across to internet users, saying to be aware of how the internet is shaping how our brains process information. “Unlike footnotes, to which they’re sometimes likened, hyperlinks don’t merely point to related works; they propel you toward them” (Carr, 2008). Carr explain when a person is on the internet weather reading or writing, the particular website has other links /information that draws their attention with colors and pop up pictures. Carr stated that as the internet is changing peoples mind start to adapt and when the people are starting to get use the the new expectation, the media also start follow the internet example by shorting text and adding more informing/ advertisement “hyperlinks” and to make people accept the information that is given to them without looking for origin of the information. Carr as well expressed that media theorist Marshall McLuhan explained the media are not only the place to get information from, but rather it is selective information to think about. Carr emphasize that the media is changing the way our mind works, by choosing the information that it has negative result on the mind. Carr pointed out that we should be questioning of the content the media produce because of the harmful ways it may be shaping the way we think as well which shapes the process of thought.
Cognitive capabilities (Reasoning)
Carr discusses the ways in which his cognitive capabilities have been altered through his increased use of the internet. Carr explains, “My concentration often starts to drift after two or three pages. I get fidgety, lose the thread, begin looking for something else to do” (Carr, 2008). Carr reflects on his …show more content…
Carr states how his own memory is being affected by skimming through information on the internet and jumping from one page to the next. Carr attempts to send a message of warning across to internet users, saying to be aware of how the internet is shaping how our brains process information. “Unlike footnotes, to which they’re sometimes likened, hyperlinks don’t merely point to related works; they propel you toward them” (Carr, 2008). Carr explain when a person is on the internet weather reading or writing, the particular website has other links /information that draws their attention with colors and pop up pictures. Carr stated that as the internet is changing peoples mind start to adapt and when the people are starting to get use the the new expectation, the media also start follow the internet example by shorting text and adding more informing/ advertisement “hyperlinks” and to make people accept the information that is given to them without looking for origin of the information. Carr as well expressed that media theorist Marshall McLuhan explained the media are not only the place to get information from, but rather it is selective information to think about. Carr emphasize that the media is changing the way our mind works, by choosing the information that it has negative result on the mind. Carr pointed out that we should be questioning of the content the media produce because of the harmful ways it may be shaping the way we think as well which shapes the process of thought.