In the beginning of the shallows Nicholas clearly demonstrates the effects of the internet on our mind and thought process, he shows that our attention spans are lessened and we aren’t able to “dive” into concepts as we where able to before the invention of google. But, what if this new form of retaining information wasn’t so bad? We are now able to seek out main points of a paragraph, by simply skimming through the text. Google has given us the ability to get the exact information that we would spend hours looking for in a book, or encyclopedia. We are getting the information we need to move forward, faster and more efficiently. The Shallows also quotes a man that says his creativity was enhanced with all the information that was now available to him through the internet. Our minds are taking in much more important information, key facts, and main concepts then they have ever retained before. Our research is becoming faster, more meaningful, and a lot easier. Perhaps our new mindset of not diving unnecessarily into deep thought, is creating a world that is at a much faster pace , than that of the baby boomer generation. We have the nut of all information without having to crack away useless shells of frivolous information. What is so wrong with that?
Our world is starting to morph into an internet based world.We are given research papers, and many times we are not given books that are recommended, but websites. When reading long drawn out books that take pages to explain details that don't necessarily contribute to understanding the message of the passage, I believe that takes away from understanding the main reason for reading the book. The internet on the other hand, just gives people the meaning, without having to strain, and read between the lines. In my opinion, it's like telling a person that you need something from them and then receiving it; instead of asking indirectly for that said item then never receiving it because the other person doesn't understand what you're asking for. It is clear communication, the internet is ask and receive; it is a more intelligent way to get information is it not?
I was talking to my doctor about this and he explained to me how our generation never memorizes anything. He meant that when we need information we don't need to remember it since it'll something we can just search up. In his time, they had to memorize many things since he didn't have the fast past internet to turn to. He would have to read many books at a time just to find the right answer. However, he also stated his opinion that it's not good to depend on a computer, instead of our own minds. I agreed and believe that it's frightening. Its as if we all our feeding ourselves to our own creation. Too much of anything is always bad. Frankenstein didn't turn out too well either.
ReplyDeleteMany of us here speak of the dangers and how we shouldn't succumb to the internet because of our new knowledge on its dangers, yet we shouldn't be afraid. We created it and WE humans, created by something else too, can control what we have created.
I say the internet is our greatest inventions but we shouldn't adore it too much, we can make something better and we can control the our use of internet much more. We should never depend on it, EVER. We should gain more knowledge of what this internet is capable of and find our own strengths as a united people, for we must, know our enemies.