A number of authors have recently suggested their contrasting views on the use of the Internet and its technology. Nicholas Carr, author of “Is Google Making Us Stupid?”, cautions against the use of the Internet because of his belief that frequent use can result in the loss of the abilities to focus, process, and understand information for oneself. Jamais Cascio, author of “Get Smarter”, proclaims that the development of Internet and its technology can only sharpen and increase people’s intelligence. In regard to both Carr and Cascio, Clay Shirky, author of “Does the Internet Make You Smarter or Dumber?”, toys with both the benefits and the drawbacks of Internet use and technology development. Shirky argues that although the Internet is currently overrun by “endless streams of mediocrity”, the further development of the Internet and its technology allows for the making of “good new stuff”. While the controversy over the usefulness of the Internet and its technology remains one sided for both Carr and Cascio, Shirky recognizes the truth in both stances.
Although I agree with both Carr and Cascio up to a point, I cannot accept their overall conclusions that the Internet is either all bad or all good. While I understand that Internet use can change the way people think and read for the worse, as a student, I must attest to the Internet’s helpfulness in finding reliable information efficiently. I am convinced, therefore, that Shirky’s stance in the controversy is the most correct. Considering the development of older technologies, such as the printing press, I believe that the Internet needs more to develop before we can decide its worth. Shirky acknowledges that the invention of the printing press caused “chaos and the dismemberment of European intellectual life”. Despite the negative effects of the printing press, today we only remember the many benefits of its development: book, newspapers, and novels. Perhaps the Internet is today’s printing press. Given adequate time to fully develop and despite a few bumps along the way, the Internet could become the most beneficial technology to human intelligence.
Kevin,
ReplyDeleteThis first paragraph does a wonderful job of setting up the context and the second one goes on to insert your point of view. Siding with Shirky's position (your last sentence is much of his argument), you would need to further develop your own position, continuing to think about how this term "efficiency" plays out in your argument.
Let's take a look at this section:
While I understand that Internet use can change the way people think and read for the worse, as a student, I must attest to the Internet’s helpfulness in finding reliable information efficiently. I am convinced, therefore, that Shirky’s stance in the controversy is the most correct.
You are bringing in your experience, which is good, although too quickly mentioned. It would be important to elaborate on this point because Carr certainly says that the internet helps him gather information quickly, in other words, efficiently, but that how this information is used may be limited. What about the other hours when you are not researching on the net?
Here, you say that "I am convinced," but remember that persuasive writing must convince its readers.
My best,
Cheryl