Is Google Making Us Stupid?

Isaac Starks

Chris Pappas

ENC1101C 0395

September 7th, 2017

Google is as Google Does

The internet has most definitely altered the way we think, and Mr. Nicholas Carr has curated a plethora of facts, opinions and quotes to prove exactly that. The brain is usually the best tool we have when it comes to things such as problem solving, researching and of course reading. Carr believes that the internet has certainly influenced the way he reads saying, “I get fidgety, lose the thread, begin looking for something else to do”. Nicholas Carr isn’t the only credible person who will weigh in their own opinion and personal story.

Internet bloggers Bruce Friedman, and Scott Karp both weigh in their opinions. Carr quotes Bruce Friedman saying, “Even a blog post of more than three or four paragraphs is too much to absorb”. Scott Karp is also quoted saying “What if I do all my reading on the web not so much because the way I read has changed, i.e. I’m just seeking convenience, but because the way I THINK has changed?” Both Bloggers have expressed their feelings about the effect that the internet has had on our brains. Perhaps Author Nicholas Carr and both bloggers aren’t exactly stating factual evidence that the internet has an effect on our brains, however there is such supportive evidence that is given later on.

Carr introduces several interesting facts given from developmental psychologist Maryanne Wolf. Wolf states that reading is not an instinct, but is something that must be learned. Carr uses this information given by Maryanne Wolf to further prove his point that, the internet does, in fact, have an effect on our brains.

Carr merely uses the the word “internet” as a different word for technology. The internet is the most modern technology that affects us, however it isn’t the only technology that has influenced the way we do things. Carr writes about how in 1882, Friedrich Nietzsche, who is a writer, bought a typewriter. He explains this story by stating how Friedrich Nietzsche has already been suffering from sight loss, and how the typewriter will positively help Mr. Nietzsche. This amazing technology known as the typewriter, which was created in the 1800’s, has made a positive effect on Friedrich Nietzsche’s life, therefore changing the way he thinks and writes.