Catherine

Does the Internet Make you Smarter or Dumber?

While many takes sides in the debate of whether or not excess use of the Net affects intelligence, Clay Shirky, the author of Does the Internet Make you Smarter or Dumber?, possesses the opinion that the users chooses how the Net impacts them. Since the Net is easily accessible, the material it holds can be reached by many people. Furthermore, with modern technology it is effortless for almost anyone to put information on the Net. Shirky points out that “amateurs produce endless streams of mediocrity, eroding cultural norms” which may lead to an “intellectual collapse.” According to Shirky some of the materials on the internet resemble literature and improper versions of the Bible which appeared following the release of the Gutenberg Printing Press. With this new medium and the freedom of expressions the Net allows, people are able to “create throwaway material,” Shirky admits. In addition, he believes that with “our cognitive surplus” people have more time to do what they interested in, thus people often devote their time to activities on the Net which are more enjoyable and possibly decrease intelligence.
Personally, I agree with the Shirky’s agreements and opinion on the debate the Net’s impact on human intelligence. He advocates the idea that people possess a choice of how they intend to use the materials on the internet and I concur and feel that it is a person’s choice to use the internet in way that will augment or diminish their intellect. Simply because the Net provides people with circumstances where they can multitask by watching videos, listening to music, reading or skimming articles and summaries of books does not mean that people have to exercise it. I believe that each person makes the decision of whether or not the Net influences the way that they think and makes them either smarter or dumber. Identical to when vulgar Bibles and literature appeared as a result of the printing press, people had the choice to read it, people have a choice to do what they want on the Net.