Monday, April 18, 2011

Is Google Making Us Stupid?

In his article “Is Google Making Us Stupid?”, not specifically talking about Google, Nicholas Carr expresses his concerns on how internet has a way to promote power browsing and deliberately remap or reprogram our minds. In addition, his suggest that technology has a way of changing our characteristic with the example of Friedrich Nietzsche’s typewriter in 1882 which changes the styles of his writing. Also, with the mention of the “mechanical clock” commonly used in 14th century, he claims that machine has a way of controlling our senses. I agree with Carr’s concerns and point of views. He has many powerful examples with convincing researches and studies. I noticed myself browsing/skimming as I read and had a hard time to concentrating on long articles. I am guilty of looking for the suggestions and checking into other people’s input on issues before I conclude my own. With the efficiency of computer printing, I often prefer to see the neatly printed signs instead of a spontaneous handmade banner. Moreover, I admit my life is so structure that I raise my child or going about my daily routines by the clock instead of following my senses. Although Carr does not say so directly, he apparently assumes that the Western culture has been influenced in a negative way by the “artificial intelligence”. I can’t agree more on Carr’s constant reminder of the importance in “originality”. Technology does simplify our ways of living although it unifying us in many ways. It is hard to avoid the “robotic efficiency” as we struggle to meet the real world expectations.

No comments:

Post a Comment