I will say this flat out…I do not believe that the internet is making us stupid, and I completely disagree with the author’s point of view. The internet is a modern tool that has been given to us to use to “build” something—knowledge, friendships, etc. if you will. This is a very handy tool that we have at our hands, and our society has the potential to and can do many different things with it. I think that it is ridiculous to say that it is making us “lazy.”
To those who say that the internet is making us “lazy,” I believe that it is just those same people that are allowing themselves to become “lazy.” You are solely in control of whether or not you want to feel lackadaisical or not; the internet is not some feverish virus that infects our bodies and tampers with our brains. There are so many beneficial things that the internet brings to the table, and it is absurd to think that we should waste this God-given gift that is made available to us.
For me at least, I am just as distracted when I read a book as when I am reading an article on the web. Although it may be easy for me to procrastinate more on the web because of facebook, YouTube, etc., I believe that the internet can teach you good time-management skills. Now that I think about it I can also easily procrastinate when reading a book or something of that nature. There are just as many distractions around the house, workplace, etc. then there are on the web.
So, in conclusion to the initial question that was put forward to us in this article, “Is Google Making Us Stupid?,” I say that no, Google is not making us stupid, rather it is the people that allow themselves to become stupid that are writing articles like this.
To those who say that the internet is making us “lazy,” I believe that it is just those same people that are allowing themselves to become “lazy.” You are solely in control of whether or not you want to feel lackadaisical or not; the internet is not some feverish virus that infects our bodies and tampers with our brains. There are so many beneficial things that the internet brings to the table, and it is absurd to think that we should waste this God-given gift that is made available to us.
For me at least, I am just as distracted when I read a book as when I am reading an article on the web. Although it may be easy for me to procrastinate more on the web because of facebook, YouTube, etc., I believe that the internet can teach you good time-management skills. Now that I think about it I can also easily procrastinate when reading a book or something of that nature. There are just as many distractions around the house, workplace, etc. then there are on the web.
So, in conclusion to the initial question that was put forward to us in this article, “Is Google Making Us Stupid?,” I say that no, Google is not making us stupid, rather it is the people that allow themselves to become stupid that are writing articles like this.
You made a very valid point when comparing the procrastination factor between reading an article on the Internet and reading a book. The distraction and "need", if you will, to procrastinate seems to always be there.
ReplyDeleteI thought your attention to personal responsibility added an important idea to the article. I don't know that I would imply Nick Carr is stupid; I don't know him, but he certainly seems sharp. I think he does like to be provocative, however, which may be one reason the title doesn't quite fit the article. And, of course, he may be just wrong.
ReplyDeleteI like that you took a strong position in this blog - I would agree with you on that there are just as many distractions outside of the "computer space" as there are in it.
ReplyDeleteI do not neccisarily agree with your opinion. However, like Esther, I appreciate the fact that you were willing to take such a strong position. Your points about procrastination were very valid. I notice I have a tencdency to procrastinate in almost every aspect of my life, so maybe people already had the potential to be lazy, and the internet has brought out that trait in us. I personally agree quite strongly with Carr, but it is almost impossible to prove if we are lazy by nature or if the internet is making us so.
ReplyDeleteI was not specifically calling Carr stupid. I just feel like his idea is stupid. I can definitely tell that he is very bright. I also feel that everyone is entitled to their own opinions, so I don't mind if you disagree with me. I just feel like the internet is a very beautiful thing, and it should not be taken for granted.
ReplyDeleteI'm in total agreement that the Internet should not be taken for granted. I'm afraid I'm as guilty of that as the next person, but it is a marvelous tool.
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