Nicholas Carr's "The Shadows" asks us the question "What is the Internet doing to our brains?" His book explains how the Internet itself is in a way changing the way we think and the way our mind works. He says that the Internet is also changing how our memory works. He mentioned in his talk about how hyperlinks can "overload" our short term memory. With hyperlinks there are so many things going on in front of us on that computer screen that it distracts us from what our main purpose to be on the computer is. While using these hyperlinks are easy for us to multitask and make things easier to get to, we are losing our ability to have a deep thinking about things. If we sit in front of a computer screen and read a book online we are trying to focus on those words in the book. Off in the corner of our eye we may see advertisements, links to other websites, or shortcuts to other programs. Every time we see these things, our brains have to function to make us ask ourselves if we want to click on that link or not. So even if we do not use that link, our mind and our brain are still working like we do.
Carr mentions that it was difficult for him to focus on writing the book because of all the distractions. He had to close his programs, cancel social networks, and found himself craving to surf the web. He said he almost had to write in short spurts because he was getting so easily distracted by everything he had access to on the web. I believe that this happens to a lot of us. Even when I type papers on my computer I usually have something else open like Facebook or some other website, and it is definitely a distraction. Papers that should only take an hour could take days because I am not completely focused on it. I agree with Carr on the fact that the Internet is changing the way we do things. It is something we grew up with and we have created our own habits on how we use it. Yes, technology is one hundred percent necessary in today's world, but I think we have to calm the way we use it before it gets to the point where we completely rely on it to get us through the day.
Even now I have three other other pages open and its keeping me from staying focused on what I am trying to write. I can not imagine people who's jobs require them to sit in front of a computer screen all day. Their minds have to be going nuts with all of the distractions that computers and the Internet cause. As I said earlier technology is essential to the way we live, but if we do not calm the way we use it, our ability to participate in deep thought and focus will be gone.
I think it's kind of crazy when you think about how one thing like the internet can change the way you think and how you use your mind. It is kind of sad how we can let something influence us so much.
ReplyDeleteI also thought it was funny when you mentioned how you normally have Facebook running while you are typing a paper or doing something like that. I am the exact same way. I actually have Facebook up right now while I am doing this.
I would also have to agree when you say how technology is absolutely necessary and essential, but we have to start moderating how much and when we use it.