In chapter seven, Carr states that on average, consumers spend only nineteen to twenty-seven seconds before switching to another page on the internet. Consumers use the internet for quick research. The internet is a broad spectrum of random attractions to consumers. How can a person research a topic for only twenty seconds? Is this what the internet is supposed to provide for us? What about the use of an encyclopedia or an ordinary book? This idea doesn't usually come to mind for today's generations. Today's generations expect to type in key words on Google.com to find a solution. "We enter an environment that promotes cursory reading, hurried and distracted thinking, and superficial learning." I feel guilty for having to admit that I rely on the internet on a daily basis. The internet is so easy to access that it doesn't make sense for anyone not to take advantage.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Superficial Learning
In reality, today's generations have it easy. We have technology. In my opinion, everyone's lives revolve around technology. Life is simple due to computers, smart phones, handheld electronic devices, etc. People have successfully lived life without what we have the privilege to be exposed to. In The Shallows by Nicholas Carr, the corruption of the internet is brought to our attention.
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It's true how most of us can't go through a day without technology. Research is a lot faster on Google rather than an encyclopedia. We go with the one that requires less effort and thinking. Just type the word and you've got countless amount of information, whether it relates to it or not. Sometimes, I even find myself switching to the internet when not enough information is provided in a book.
ReplyDeleteYou aren't the only who uses the internet daily, I'm sure most of us spend time on a computer. It's too simple for us not to use it, it takes less than a minute to type in a few words and pull up thousands of pages. One of the sad things about people who research solely using the internet is they can easily run into false information and unknowingly believe what they read. Anybody from anywhere can put up anything they'd like, and once it's on the internet it's viewable by virtually everyone with access to the internet. Whenever I catch myself looking for the easy way of getting information by surfing the internet, I try my best to switch over to an informational book.
ReplyDeleteI don't think you should feel guilty for relying on technology, for our whole generation does the exact same thing! Even both my grandma and grandpa have the newest devices at their fingertips, for they both have their own iPhones and iPads! However, who indroduced technology to them? Well, now we can take the blame. As a matter of fact, my family gave my grandma the iPad she now uses on a daily baisis for her birthday this year. So, now we do not even have our older generation telling us "Go use the encyclopedia instead of the internet!" For, when one asks a question that no one is able to answer, the magic words are "Well, Google it!"
ReplyDeleteWe just have to admit it. Technology is great. It's ironic how we are reading about the cons of the internet and technology for our English online homework assignments. I am sure Mrs. Fletcher is also guilty of being technology dependent. That's another thing, our generation is so easily convinced. Because Carr and Postman claim the internet and technology are harmful to us, most of these students fully support their arguments. No one knows what to believe because there is information everywhere. So what is really harmful to us, the internet and technology or an overwhelming amount of information?
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure everyone uses the internet for numerous reasons, so you shouldn't feel guilty for relying on the internet. It doesn't matter on how much rely on the internet because everyone relys on it as well.
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