Nicholas Carr hits the spot in this essay when he states, "The deep reading that used to come naturally has become a struggle." Not only do I see this happening with people around me, but I notice it occurring within myself. I use to be able to read an entire Harry Potter book without any distractions, but now that is not the option of choice for my lazy days. It's difficult at times to concentrate just on the book in front of me instead of the many other distractions that surround me.
Another point he makes that I completely agree with is, "The Web has been a godsend to me as a writer." I love writing, it is my stress reliever; however, whenever I need to know a fact I do not go deep into the topic with researching it; I just look up the small part of information that I need right from Google. I do reckon that the Web is beginning to take over not our ways of reading but our ways of thinking. The study within the British library concluded with a spectacular idea that..."It almost seems that they (people) go online to avoid reading in the traditional sense."
Even with all these sharp points Carr has started to make, I have also, again, widened my vocabulary. There were about a dozen words in which I was unsure about, which I am now able to add to my vocab. cards. His different variety of words, specific examples from studies all over, and strong opinion lead to a great article, intriguing his readers during every part. I did not get bored or fidgety while reading this because it has to do with me and my future.
On a personal note, I firmly believe that the laziness of our country has not only affected our health but our intelligence... just how Carr has stated. When a large text assignment is assigned during a class, there is no doubt that over half of the kids "read" or skim the words to just get by. Why waste your time skimming though, when you can add a few extra minutes and complete it thoroughly and benefit yourself? It almost seems that most kids do not want to accept the free education they are granted; instead, they enjoy their parents spending money each month, so they have access to Google, YouTube, Wikipedia...etc.
Clearly, just how the article explained, we may be reading more with the production of all our new technology, but it is a different type of reading, which leads to a very different type of thinking. Maryanne Wolf of Tufts University makes it evident that the connections we make while traditionally reading are disappearing as we introduce the new ways.
So the answer to the title of this blog, in my opinion, would be stupid us. There's no mistake in saying that Google is a very smart tool. In fact all of the technology leading up to it...typewriter, steam engine, Internet...are extremely intelligent tools for us to use, but how far do we go until we stop? Sergey Brin and Larry Page, founders of Google, want it to go as far as possible. They are hooked on the belief that having all the information in our brains already, or providing it with the use of Google, will make us better off. Google's motive is to "solve problems that have never been solved before". So besides the rest of society lessening its intelligence, Brin and Page are trying to become geniuses in cracking the hardest problem ever, artificial intelligence. I agree with Carr with the conclusion that, "It is our own intelligence that flattens into artificial intelligence." Google clearly isn't benefiting any one's future except for these two founder's; it'll just take time for more people to realize that.
Hey Eva! I couldn't agree with you more that many people (including myself) can relate to Carr's problem with concentrating on deep reading.
ReplyDeleteI also took note of his statement, "I love writing, it is my stress reliever; however, whenever I need to know a fact I do not go deep into the topic with researching it; I just look up the small part of information that I need right from Google." Personally, if I need to know a quick fact, I will just type it in on Google and read the simplest answer, so it's really easy for me to relate to what Carr is saying.
I think you bring up a really great point about how lazy our country has become. It's almost unhealthy how so many kids just look for the quickest, easiest way out of actually thinking. I know that I often "skim" readings, but I think I will try to actually comprehend the reading in its entirety from now on.
I like how you set up and answered the question "Stupid Google or Stupid Us?" I think you hit home by pointing out that it's really our own fault for getting caught up in the quick, lazy way to do things. Good job!