Response 2

It is often said that the Internet is more efficient and immediate then getting information from a book or encyclopedia. Is it possible that the Internet could be diminishing our mental capacity? Carr believes that the Internet is “chipping away” at our ability to concentrate and think deeply. He believes that from not contemplating our ideas we will lose our culture. At the same time that I believe the Internet can be distracting, I also believe that the Internet is a powerful source of information and can be extremely helpful when used appropriately.

Cascio emphasizes that the technological era can’t be stopped now, we the people are now living in a more complex world and have to continue to develop this era. He observes that the Internet is in no way the problem, it is actually “the beginning of a solution.” I fully agree that we can’t turn back time and pretend that the technology era is not in process. The Internet is our basis for further development in improving our society and making discoveries that could solve global issues right now. We are known to experience “co-evolution” because we are able to adapt to the developments in technology and we will become more intelligent to meet the complex technological innovations.

It has become common to dismiss using the Internet as not being as educational as reading a book. Shirky explains how the Internet is a replacement for reading and writing. I agree that the Internet can be an exceptional replacement for reading and writing because my experience with using the Internet for educational purposes confirms it. I am able to do research on the Internet and feel that it is as educational as reading a book. Overall, the Internet can be a distracting source but not if used appropriately. It is the first step into the technological era and brings opportunities in improving our society. The Net is the key to the future.