Final Essay

Xiaohu Qian

Writing II

2018/4/4

John Allen

Is Google making us stupid?

Introduction

It’s contradicting to understand whether our own situation is stupid or not because of how much we rely on it. Similarly, it is stupid not to understand whether something is making you a fool or not. This dilemma is presented with the use of Google and the internet generally. Are we making progress in having a world library or are we neglecting our own intellectual capacity for that of a machine? Whether this fact is right for wrong is a debate depending on which side of the coin one is presented with. On one hand, having knowledge at the tip of your hands is amazing and the best innovation yet. Based on the age of a particular person, the generation approach to problems defines their belief and strong perception of particular subjects. So we question “Is Google just Google or it also represents something else?’ a statement of the fact or a representation of something else that influences the old and young generation (teenagers).

Exegesis

Carr begins by presenting the article in the view of an old person where they are losing their mind. This view changes later on to realize that he indicates that that he seems to be undergoing changes in the fact that his language understanding is changing. It seems to be a force of nature, “remapping and reprogramming”. He praises the talent people that are shown by the internet which has been useful to him as a writer. Later on he seems afraid at the rate in which reading in not cultural as it used to be and instead people “power browse”. He connects this to the younger generation developing complex language that he works as a way to make them suitable for these new developments in technology and, therefore, the difference with the older people. He indicates that people should welcome this by comparing it to the typewriter innovation that

seems to have changed the way the brain processed information.

Assessment

Similarly, it seems it is a hard thing to imagine for the older generation to understand the new form of research represented by Google in the article cancels the other forms we’ve had for centuries. Historically that has been proven to be impossible. For example, in the age of the ancient, knowledge was the ability to get food and one didn’t understand what the other individuals were unless they could physically go to them and sniff or find their territory. This age paved way for the age of fire which allowed the individuals to send information by fire, drums, and smoke. Over time evolution of language and how to relay information shifted to allow for it to be written down and transferred from one area to another. People would leave marks in places they had been in order to mark their presence on earth. Education was given by word of mouth and there was no way to verify whether the source was truthful or not and thus it was based on trust.

As time went by, the information shifted to recording which allowed for it to be put down on stone tablets, stored and protected for the benefit of the coming generation. This opened room for the first literary works and sharing with other communities thus learning in different ways. This gradually evolved to include education as a system for which knowledge is imparted. Through this system, the improvement of oneself was encouraged and self-development was revered producing the likes of Shakespeare, Sigmund, Einstein, Darwin and so many more that were known for their form of genius in their respective specialization.

Their works were written down and through this era came in the age of research where man’s thirst for knowledge seemed to be the purpose in life. The cleverer a person was considered to be, the more respect he received. This respect would follow for year and generation with several people using their work as the foundation to do more research or to support a certain idea. The need to understand the world as a whole needed an avenue for which resources from all over the world can be pulled in for help. Google is like a big pool, knowledge is water and people can get water easily through this pool. It is a source of information and knowledge accumulated over from everywhere in the world to support an idea or a school of thought for a particular individual elsewhere in the world. Certainly, this is not a foolish thing to have within our grasp (Wu, 2005).

This discussion however, will focus on the positive impact of technology (internet and Google) while touching on a few of the negative impacts that are felt. The virtual world is not black and white and thus portraying it as such will fail to pass across the message that is a dilemma in the choice of whether it is needed or not. It is necessary to understand that the use of something dictates its importance and its irrelevance. Consideration of misuse or overuse of something brings in the factor of necessity and need in its utilization. The internet and Google bring out such a case. Carr defines the internet and technology as a necessary evil. In many words, he insists on it being an invasion of privacy yet a need that he has to live with and ignore that incessant spying that he seems to fell.

The idea of having knowledge at the click of a button was a dream that could make us, this generation, the envy of those before. The idea that one could write a paper and share it with the world so that the thought that has been put down can further be developed by someone else definitely makes it a miraculous thing. For this reason, Google seems to be the best thing to happen. Take the example of the utilization of the internet by children as young as 2-7 years old. Early childhood education entails that development of cognitive skills in the early ages pertain to their growth faster and thus a foundation for knowledge gained. In this generation at this age, the children are able to use the internet and thus Google to search for various aspects. The same way that a child learns their motor skills is the same way realization of the factors of movement is emphasized and thus acknowledgment of the growth pattern within the society (Bers & Kazakoff, 2012). The article by Carr talks about the envisioned growth the experiences of the good and the bad side of life that determines that humans are buried within the virtual world. Realizing that the eyes are on everyone means that, just like a child, the people must learn to take responsibility and be accountable for their own mistakes. It emphasizes that internet use is at its young stage and falling down like that child learning to move is the ability to ensure there is growth. No one understands the patterns in totality but we can delineate the trends and pathways by which the guidelines of movement can be set. It a step to stumble but soon it can be a good way to walk. The fear of the unknown is part of the leap faith that has to be taken so that as challenges crop up, they can be countered with and fumble in the dark makes us to understand the way to move forward. It is fighting for the right to grow without restrictions and inhibitions. Carr points out this form of growth when he compares the use of internet as a language that we need to learn in order to develop as a means for memory development an aspect that is important in cognitive development even for a child and is ingrained in the memorization of language that would be suitable for their growth in this generation (Carr, 2008). In this twisted sense, he believes it is an important tool for growth of the new generation.

However, if there is a good effect, I believe there is a negative impact. While it is not very clear whether the present generation is cleverer than those of the past, it is clear that their capacity to hold knowledge at the fingertips is no longer of value. As long as the internet is there to give them answers, it seems irrelevant for them to keep information in their brains. This seems to make them appear foolish and unintelligent. They may be able to spell strange words, type faster and faster, but if they don't use information for a week, they will totally forget it.

The negative impacts are felt with the older generation to some extent whose use of technology seems a way to make them even lonelier (Gore, 2014). Modern technology becomes more and more advance. There are available ways in which the older people are advised to include in the isolation of loneliness but the fact that technology grows at rapid speed makes it an unstable area to follow. However, it seems more focus is directed to the development of technological advancements that are not necessarily computer-based thus formulation of other more social advantageous technologies. This provides the contact needed by the older people and thus a realization of the fact that with use of the internet and Google, there is less contact and this sometimes leads to poor health due to isolation (Gore, 2014).

However, in support of technology for older people, it has been insisted that they are in need in order to effectively communicate even when they are not willing to. The difference in the acceptability is seen diverse between genders with the men were easily persuaded to use friendly application than women. However, the necessity has been insisted upon and discussed in the form that it allows for the ease of usage and communication with the younger generation when familiarity when common applications are understood. As a necessity, there is a need for more training and persuasion for the older generation to join this craze and thus improvement of the quality of life (Mundorf et al., 2006). The message across these two reading define that technology is a necessary evil in the sense that it contradicts what is allowable and what is not. In the way internet seems to separate the generations, it is also what is needed to allow communication between this generations and at the same time. Additionally, while it is also the cause of isolation for the older generation, it is a means by which they could improve their quality of life.

In conclusion, we have identified that the needs within a community dictate the wants. Just like Carr uses Google to describe the obsession of the world that we have, it also gives an insight into the afflictions that have plagued us and the consideration of the problems that we have undermined in our own ignorance. It is representative of the generation gaps and needs that crop up which might not be accepted by the older generation but become the necessity that they have to live with. Using Google, Carr is able to highlight the evolution of existence and needs within a timeline and timeframe with focus on the ability of life to straighten itself even with the challenges that come along. He insists on the stubbornness and the strength of the young generation in a particular era to withstand the forces against them and stands out on their own to make a difference. This is why he uses Friedrich Nietzsche to compare with Google and the acceptance of change. It acts as a generation bridge to remind the old of their own fight and struggles (Day, 2004).

References

Bers, M. U., & Kazakoff, E.R. (2012). . "Techno-Tykes." Handbook of Research on the Education of Young Children, edited by Olivia N. Saracho, and Bernard Spodek, Routledge, 3rd edition,. Credo Reference, http://0-search.credoreference.com.pacificatclassic.pacific.edu/content/entry/routsmch/techno_tykes/0?institutionId=782 .

Gore, P. (2018). "Combating Isolation Through Technology in Older People." Wellbeing: A Complete Reference Guide, edited by Cary L. Cooper, Wiley, 1st edition. Credo Reference, http://0-search.credoreference.com.pacificatclassic.pacific.edu/content/entry/wileyw/combating_isolation_through_technology_in_older_people/0?institutionId=782.

Mundorf, N., et al. (2006). "Communication Technologies and Older Adults." The Encyclopedia of Aging, Richard Schulz, Springer Publishing Company, 4th edition. Credo Reference, http://0-search.credoreference.com.pacificatclassic.pacific.edu/content/entry/spencage/communication_technologies_and_older_adults/0?institutionId=782 .

Wu, S. (2005). "Technology and Communication." Continuum Encyclopedia of Children's Literature, edited by Bernice E. Cullinan, and Diane Goetz Person, Continuum, 1st edition. Credo Reference, http://0-search.credoreference.com.pacificatclassic.pacific.edu/content/entry/kidlit/technology_and_communication/0?institutionId=782 .