Is Google Making USupid By Nicholas Carr

Throughout the years, various developments and inventions have been made directing our everyday lives. One outstanding development is the Internet. In an animated video by Twila Camp, the difference between the Internet and the World Wide Web is defined and their significance is outlined. In his article Is Google Making Us Stupid, Nicholas Carr claims that google has detrimental effects on our brain. I, however, find Carr’s point of view to be erroneous.

Nicholas Carr began by stating through personal experiences how surfing the web changes the way we process and receive information suggesting that Internet’s use chips away the capacity for concentration and contemplation. He then supported his claim by mentioning the hardships his friends are facing too. Unfortunately, providing personal opinions might not be valid in this case but rather null and void. In fact, he himself states that these are anecdotes and that further research and experiments are required to prove how Internet use negatively affects cognition. That said, a UCLA study in 2008 found that Internet searching may improve brain function and thus have a constructive impact on cognition. (UCLA Newsroom, 2008).

Hence, he implies that skimming would change our style of reading. Carr, however, fails to mention the real reason behind this attitude. In fact, we live in a busy world today where many responsibilities outweigh the importance of deep and lengthy reading. That is, google and other search engines help deliver an efficient, alternative method that would save time when, meanwhile, providing us with the needed information. In addition, this helps reduce stress that would arise from having to search through various books to find the key answer to our questions. Hence, this reflects positively on our mental and physical health. (Neil, Gail, & Scott, 2008, p.