Monday, December 15, 2014

FINAL PAPER DEC 15

Jelani Pritchard
Professor Werry
RWS 100
15 Dec. 2014
And How Would You Know That? ..The Internet
            If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Because of the internet, our brain has undergo numerous of changes throughout our lives. It is argued that the internet has been a cancer to the way humans have read, write, or even think. Others claim that it has enhanced us as human race; from improving memory to creating connections with the world. Two individuals specifically, Nicholas Carr and Clive Thompson,  have two different views on  how the internet and technology has affected  us.  In the article "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" Carr argues that the internet has negatively affected the way we read and write. Carr claims that the net has altered the way we think and our ability to focus.  He believes  that the internet has become a distraction causing us to lose focus/concentration and is possibly making us 'stupid'. Opposing Carr,  Clive Thompson in his excerpt "Public Thinking" from the book "Smarter Than You Think,"  argues that the internet has been a vital tool in our advancement as the human race. Thompson claims that the internet has positively affected our lives by creating connections with others, improving our reading and writing skills, and even enhance our cognitive behavior. He presents a strong claim that the internet has been a useful tool that enhances our abilities and skill set that may benefit us a whole along with our individual selves.  Along with Thompson, Lance Ulanoff, writer for Mashable, argues in his article "Why Cant Johhny Write? Dont Blame Social Media" that the internet has been a beneficial factor in the way the human  race has advanced. Ulanoff claims that internet, for example social media, has created a new way of learning and should not be blamed for the idea of the internet causing kids to lose focus or have a decrease in their reading and writing skills. In the world we live in today, the internet has been essential to many of our successes. It is hard to argue that the technology has been a parasite to the human brain without looking at the many improvements and  advancements the internet has done for us. Thompson  presents an agreeable argument and it must be understood that the world wide web has presented us positivity and prosperity if anything.
            Nicholas Carr presents an interesting argument of the internet perishing our concentration and becoming a distraction. Carr believes that the internet has caused individuals to lose focus/concentration when reading.  Using  information and experiences from individuals who all are credible literary-types to Carr, he keys the idea of the effects of the internet and how they can alter concentration and brain activity . Fellow literary-type, Bruce Friedman, who  is a regular blogger who writes about the use of technology in medicine, explains how the internet has affected the way he works and reads.  Friedman states that he "has almost totally lost the ability to read and absorb a longish article on the web or in print" (59). Truthfully, Carr's claim of a decreasing concentration is strongly presented. Many college students, such as myself, are interested in reading long texts anymore compared to those who grew up without technology. Now in today's age, the internet is used as a tool in learning. Carr however, believes that the tool is more defected than helpful. He claims that the internet has negatively tweaked the way we are supposed to learn, read, and write. It can be argued that the net has become a domain of distraction and has slowed down learning for children, but in the modern era we live in today, it is inevitable to ignore the internet. Although Carr argues  a strong claim he also has presented   weaknesses in his article. Using only literary types and himself,  Carr tries to point out how the internet has negatively altered the way they read and work; for example causing them to lose the ability to read long novels/texts. Knowing that Carr and his fellow literary types grew up in a different era without technology, it seems to be biased to blame the internet for their  loss of their ability to 'focus' or negatively change the way they work. On the other side, lies the youth who grew up with this technology, as it advanced itself,  that has help claim that the internet has been more helpful than harmful.
            Although the internet withholds distractions that may affect us, Clive Thompson presents a strong argument of the internet improving our memory, creates connection, and enhance the way we read & write. Thompson states  that the internet/ the technological advancement  has improved individuals'  writing skills because of major increase of composed writing. According to Thompson, "we compose of 154 billion emails, 500 million tweets on Twitter, 1 million blog posts and comments, and about 150 billion words written on Facebook each day" (Thompson 47). The more we write as humans, the more improvements we will see in the skill. In basketball, Michael Jordan did not treat practice as an option, he treated it as a tool that will enhance his play in games. Tom Brady, professional football quarterback, uses practice to correct his mistakes and look for the weaknesses or strengths that are presented. It is the same for writing. the more we write the better we will be at it; with the advancement of the internet, it has launched us even further than we have expected.  The internet has not only been used for a domain to practice reading and writing skills, it is also used as a platform for connections with the world. Users of the internet are able to connect and share ideas like never before. It has created a way for people to interact socially, expand globally, and  enhance reading/writing skills. Thompson also states that the internet/technology has improved memory and cognitive thinking skills. With the internet it can be used as a platform or a stage. Ideas and ways of thinking can be shared to an audience. An audience can be used to improve performance, whether it be from writing for an audience or presenting/sharing ideas to others, this is called the audience effect. Thompson presents an experiment that supports his claim of the audience effect; One group had to solve the puzzle alone in silent while the other had to explain the way they were solving the puzzle into a tape recorder. The results showed that the kids who tried completing the puzzle did much worse than the group who didn't (55).  Thompson presents various ways of how the internet is a benefit to us. This shows how much positivity the internet has and how it can affect people as whole or individuals in many different ways.
            There are many different ways how the internet can affect people. Today, social media is probably one of the most used platform networks on this planet. It is used to network, socially connect, and surprisingly enhance reading & writing skills. Like Thompson, Lance Ulanoff argues that the internet is here for the better in the article "Why Cant Johnny Write? Dont Blame Social Media."  Arguing against individuals such as Carr, Ulanoff specifically states that social media should not be blamed for any negative effect on the way teenagers write. He argues that social media is actually a tool that can be used to help kids learn. Ulanoff uses an expert, Ethna Dempsey Lay, Hofstra University Assistant Professor of Writing Studies and Composition, to help claim that social media can actually be a different way individuals are able to write. Ulanoff and Lay claims that social media can be used to express one's self differently and can be used effectively. Ulanoff, more specifically discusses the effect of the social media plat form of Twitter. He uses examples from Lay's own teaching methods through Twitter, showing that social media can be used as a platform to write and communicate in a different way. He conducts an experiment on Twitter to see how well others are able to write in 140 characters or less, receives impressive results. He evaluates how well individuals are able to use correct grammar and punctuation under 140 characters or less. The internet has been used to expand ideas, not shorten them. There is more positive outcomes because of the internet than  negative ones.  
            The internet and technology that exists today is almost inevitable to any human being that attends school. The advancement of technology, claimed by both Thompson and Carr, has indeed affected the way an individual thinks, reads, or writes. Now whether it is more of a negative or positive effect on an individual can still be questioned; but it is safe to say that there is at least somewhat of both elements (positive/negative effect) that can alter one's mind. Personally, the internet has changed the way I work and receive information. Although it can be a distraction at times, the internet has become a useful tool. It can be used as a platform to connect with others socially and educationally. By connecting with others, there is more understanding in the how and whys of the world. Multiple minds can make change the world by sharing ideas and thoughts. Information can be absorbed in many different ways because of the accessibility to the internet, which serves as a platform for other's thoughts and ideas. Not only does the internet have individuals connect their minds with others, but it also has helped individuals to connect with themselves; enhancing our own cognitive thinking, writing, and reading skills. We now tend to read or look for the information that will either appeal to or help us. It can be questioned that this method may be a negative influence by the internet, making us humans 'lazy' or drift away from focusing on a full length of text, but it also can be argued that it could be a more efficient way to absorb information.
            At the end of the day the internet will always be more beneficial than negative in my eyes. It has created a place for myself to improve the way I think, read, and write. Using social media has improved my social skills and communication. This skill is very vital in the real world and can be applied to any job in the world. It is more than just education. Although, education is very important in success. The internet and the way technology has advanced, I only see massive improvements with education. Reading other individual's work has helped me create my own ideas. For example; reading my classmates' work on their blogs has inspired some of my work or ideas that I  have created on my own. Posting work myself will improve the way I write as well. Connecting to somewhat of the audience effect.  The world today needs the internet and has made it a useful tool. Without it, it is hard for many individuals to succeed and expand globally. It is a platform for networking and connecting with others. The connection an individual has with another will improve the way we share ideas and thoughts. Thoughts and ideas that can be used to help create solutions to the problems we have in the world. The way we read and write has been altered for the better. Thompson and Ulanoff  presents a persuasive argument that the internet/the advancement of technology has bettered individuals globally.
            Although they have different views, Nicholas Carr, Clive Thompson, and Lance Ulanoff all have one thing in common. They all believe that the internet has a major role in today's world has a effect on us as humans. Carr believes it is more detrimental, causing us humans to lose focus. The internet has some distractions of course, but so does real life. The idea of  negative effects of the internet are flawed and can be easily countered with opposing arguments such as Thompson or Ulanoff  present. They believe that the world wide web has given us an advantage. It has created a platform for creativity. The internet has been a beneficial, positive, and an important factor in how the human race has advanced. Research methods are altered for the better. The internet can be used as a tool that will pick out all of the important and useful information. Carr believes that the net has a negative effect on learning or absorbing information, but in reality it has only been efficient in the way humans have been able to learn, read, and write.  Without the internet, there wouldn't be much in the world, so it is vital that us humans do not take it for granted and use it to the best of our abilities to only better ourselves as the human race.    






Work Cited
Carr, Nicholas. "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" The Atlantic Sept. 2008. Print. Nov. 2014.
Thompson, Clive. "Smarter Than You Think" Penguin Press 2013. Print. 9 Sept. 2014.
Ulanoff, Lance. "Why Cant Johhny Write? Dont Blame Social Media." Mashable 4 May 2013.

            Web. 19 Nov. 2014.

Monday, December 8, 2014

very rough draft HW DEC 8th

                        VERY ROUGH DRAFT
If it aint broke, dont fix it. Because of the internet, our brain has undergo numerous of changes throughout our lives. In the article "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" Nicholas Carr argues that the internet has negatively affected the way we read and write. Carr claims that the net has altered the way we think and focus.  But has the internet made our brains automatically unable to focus? While Carr jumps into conclusion, Clive Thompson in his excerpt "Public Thinking" from the book "Smarter Than You Think"  argues that the internet has been a vital tool in our advancement as the human race. Thompson claims that the internet has positively affected our lives by creating connections with others, improving our reading and writing skills, and even enhance our cognitive behavior. Thompson and Carr both believe the internet/the advancements of technology has affected the world's way of thinking, writing, and reading. Carr claims that the internet has become a distraction causing us to lose focus/concentration and is possibly making us 'stupid'. Thompson however, presents a strong claim that the internet has been a useful tool that enhances our abilities and skill set. The world today needs the internet and has made it a useful tool. Without it, it is hard for many individuals to succeed and expand globally. It is a platform for networking and connecting with others. The connection an individual has with another will improve the way we share ideas and thoughts. Thoughts and ideas that can be used to help create solutions to the problems we have in the world. The way we read and write has been altered for the better. Thompson presents a persuasive argument that the internet/the advancement of technology has bettered individuals globally. 
The internet and technology that exists today is almost inevitable to any human being that attends school. The advancement of technology, claimed by both Thompson and Carr, has indeed affected the way an individual thinks, reads, or writes. Now whether it is more of a negative or positive effect on an individual can still be questioned; but it is safe to say that there is at least somewhat of both elements (positive/negative effect) that can alter one's mind. Personally, the internet has changed the way I work and receive information. Although it can be a distraction at times, the internet has become a useful tool. It can be used as a platform to connect with others socially and educationally. By connecting with others, there is more understanding in the how and whys of the world. Multiple minds can make change the world by sharing ideas and thoughts. Information can be absorbed in many different ways because of the accessibility to the internet, which serves as a platform for other's thoughts and ideas. Not only does the internet have individuals connect their minds with others, but it also has helped individuals to connect with themselves; enhancing our own cognitive thinking, writing, and reading skills. We now tend to read or look for the information that will either appeal to or help us. It can be questioned that this method may be a negative influence by the internet, making us humans 'lazy' or drift away from focusing on a full length of text, but it also can be argued that it could be a more efficient way to absorb information.
             


Wednesday, December 3, 2014

New Outline HW DEC 3

OUTLINE
Intro: I will introduce both Thompson and Carr by  their position of how the internet affects individuals.
P1: attack Carr's weaknesses to strengthen my argument and support/extend Thompson's claim.
P2: Use the Johhny Can't Write source to extend/illustrate thompson's claim
P3. Argue my position; discussing how the internet can improve our memory, clarify thinking, and creating connection with others by using personal experiences, claims from Thompson, points from the Johhny Cant Write source, and also the weaknesses of Carr for contradiction
Conclusion: summarize and answer the "'so what?" question.
Focus on paper: creating connections, improving memory, clarifying thinking.
1. Thompson's claim: The internet has enhanced the way we think, read, and write in the modern era today.
2. My own sub-claim: The internet/advancements of technology has enhanced the way we as  humans think, read, and write. The positive effect of the internet can improve memory as well creating a way for us to be connected with one another. 
3. Sources that will be used
a) Ulanoff, Lance. "Why Cant Johhny Write? Dont Blame Social Media." Mashable 4 May 2013. Web. 19 Nov. 2014.
b) Thompson, Clive. "Smarter Than You Think" Penguin Press 2013. Print. 9 Sept. 2014.
c) Carr, Nicholas. "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" The Atlantic Sept. 2008. Print. Nov. 2014.
d) Also a little bit of personal experience - to be used to further extend the idea of Thompson's claim of the internet enhancing reading, writing, and thinking.
4. I will be using Thompson's and Carr's sources to introduce the different views of how the internet effects the world today. Along with the use of Thompson's text, I will take claims from the "Why Cant Johnny Write?" article and points from my own personal experience to discuss how the internet effects us in a positive way by changing the way we read, think, and write. The focus of the final paper will discuss the clarification of thinking, the creation of connections of others, and the improvement of memory, all due to the effect of the advancement of technology/internet.



Monday, November 24, 2014

HW NOV 24 outline

OUTLINE
Focus on paper: creating connections, improving memory, clarifying thinking.

1. Thompson's claim: The internet has enhanced the way we think, read, and write in the modern era today.


2. My own sub-claim: The internet/advancements of technology has enhanced the way we as  humans think, read, and write. The positive effect of the internet can improve memory as well creating a way for us to be connected with one another.  


3. Sources that will be used

a) Ulanoff, Lance. "Why Cant Johhny Write? Dont Blame Social Media." Mashable 4 May 2013. Web. 19 Nov. 2014.

b) Thompson, Clive. "Smarter Than You Think" Penguin Press 2013. Print. 9 Sept. 2014.

c) Carr, Nicholas. "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" The Atlantic Sept. 2008. Print. Nov. 2014.

d) Also a little bit of personal experience



4. I will be using Thompson's and Carr's sources to introduce the different views of how the internet effects the world today. Along with the use of Thompson's text, I will take claims from the "Why Cant Johnny Write?" article and points from my own personal experience to discuss how the internet effects us in a positive way by changing the way we read, think, and write. The focus of the final paper will discuss the clarification of thinking, the creation of connections of others, and the improvement of memory, all due to the effect of the advancement of technology/internet. 

Friday, November 21, 2014

HW NOV 21

Jelani Pritchard
Professor Werry
21 Nov. 2014
Anecdote
            The internet and technology that exists today is almost inevitable to any human being that attends school. The advancement of technology, claimed by both Thompson and Carr, has indeed affected the way an individual thinks, reads, or writes. Now whether it is more of a negative or positive effect on an individual can still be questioned; but it is safe to say that there is at least somewhat of both elements (positive/negative effect) that can alter one's mind. Personally, the internet has changed the way I work and receive information. Although it can be a distraction at times, the internet has become a useful tool. It can be used as a platform to connect with others socially and educationally. By connecting with others, there is more understanding in the how and whys of the world. Multiple minds can make change the world by sharing ideas and thoughts. Information can be absorbed in many different ways because of the accessibility to the internet, which serves as a platform for other's thoughts and ideas. Not only does the internet have individuals connect their minds with others, but it also has helped individuals to connect with themselves; enhancing our own cognitive thinking, writing, and reading skills. We now tend to read or look for the information that will either appeal to or help us. It can be questioned that this method may be a negative influence by the internet, making us humans 'lazy' or drift away from focusing on a full length of text, but it also can be argued that it could be a more efficient way to absorb information.

            Thompson and Carr both believe the internet/the advancements of technology has affected the world's way of thinking, writing, and reading. Carr claims that the internet has become a distraction causing us to lose focus/concentration and is possibly making us 'stupid'. Thompson however, presents a strong claim that the internet has been a useful tool that enhances our abilities and skill set. The world today needs the internet and has made it a useful tool. Without it, it is hard for many individuals to succeed and expand globally. It is a platform for networking and connecting with others. The connection an individual has with another will improve the way we share ideas and thoughts. Thoughts and ideas that can be used to help create solutions to the problems we have in the world. The way we read and write has been altered for the better. Thompson presents a persuasive argument that the internet/the advancement of technology has bettered individuals globally.  

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

11-19-14 summaries

Matthew Zipagan, Tatiana Lai Jelani, Pritchard
Professor Werry
RWS100, Section 24
November 17, 2014
Summary of “What’s Lost as Handwriting Fades?” By Maria Konnokova
            In the article, “What’s Lost as Handwriting Fades?”, Maria Konnokova discusses how writing effectively creates more brain activity than typing on a keyboard. As children learn how to write and continue to write, they gain the skills of reading faster, generating ideas, and also retaining information. Konnokova includes a study in her article that dealt with children and writing. Children who wrote free-handedly experiencedincreased activity in three parts of their brain andchildren who typed on a keyboard or connected the dots showed little activity within the brain. Konnokova also argues that the way we write, whether it’s print or cursive, can also have a great benefit on our brains. Konnokava’s article connects to Carr’s text because she favors writing instead of using the technology. Konnokova wants her audience to know that there are more benefits when writing rather than typing away on a keyboard.   
           
Summary of “Why Can’t Johnny Write? Don’t Blame Social Media”

In the article, "Why Can't Johnny Write? Don't Blame Social Media," Lance Ulanoff discusses how social media may actually have no negative effect on the writing skills of teens. Ulanoff uses an expert on prose, Ethna Dempsey Lay (Hofstra University Assistant Professor of Writing Studies and Composition) to help claim that social media can actually be a different way individuals are able to write. It is claimed that social media can be used to express one's self differently and can be used effectively. Ulanoff also uses examples from Lay's own teaching methods through Twitter, showing that social media can be used as a platform to write and communicate with others more. Ulanoff also conducts an experiment on Twitter to see how well others are able to write in 140 characters or less. This article connects with both Thompson and Carr on how technology/internet can affect the way we read or write. Through the Twitter experiment Ulanoff used and how Thompson used the Vanderbilt experiment in his text , they are both able to show the audience how technology may not indeed negatively affect an individual's skills. Although Carr's argument is how the internet may negatively effects us, Thompson and Ulanoff both write that the technological advancements does not necessarily do so.  

Monday, November 17, 2014

FINAL DRAFT 3RD PAPER (Nov 17)

Jelani Pritchard
Professor Werry
17  Nov. 2014
Is da Internet making me stoopid?
             Research and several studies show that in the United States..[*stops reading*]. And that is when we usually stop or want to stop reading a text in today's era. Nicholas Carr, who is a writer for The Atlantic discusses how the internet has negatively affected the way we read, write, and think in his article, "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" In his text, which was ironically dreadful to read through, discusses the aspects of how the internet has negatively altered our ways of reading and writing. Carr questions if the internet has made us stupid enough to the point where we can't even get through a full text of reading without wanting to give up on it because of the lack of interest we have. Carr also claims that the world wide web has tweaked his methods of writing. With a few searches on Google, information is quickly found right under your finger tips. Writing papers or researching studies has evolved with the help of the internet, while the old method that once required stacks of print and hours at the library has seem to drifted off along with the wind. In this text Carr uses multiple credible sources that he calls 'literary-types' who gives input on the internet and its influences on readers and writers. Carr argues that as a literary-type, he and others have trouble staying focused reading an article or text the more they use the web. In this day and age, our generation has grew up with technology that helps advances education. It is important for us to understand whether or not if the technology, particularly the internet, is a negative influence on our reading, writing, and thinking skills or not. Carr does make favorable arguments, but there are also flaws in his text. In this paper I will discuss how Carr presents his argument to the audience by analyzing strategies he uses.
             In the article, "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" Carr, uses several strategies to help support his argument and persuade his audience. One strategy Carr uses well throughout the text was his use of Ethos. Using multiple experiences and information from individuals who all seem to be credible literary-types, Carr tries to point out the effects of the internet and how they can alter brain activity and focus. A literary-type, Bruce Friedman, who  regularly blogs about the use of technology in medicine, gave his insight on how the way he reads and works has been affected by the internet.  Friedman states that he "has almost totally lost the ability to read and absorb a longish article on the web or in print" (59). Having credentials such as a graduate from the University of Michigan Medical School and who is now a pathologist, Friedman is a prime example of how Carr uses Ethos to help support his argument. By using multiple credible individuals in his text, Carr is able to build his credibility and trustworthiness throughout his text.  This strategy works by introducing and presenting a notable individual to his audience to reassure them that it is not just a random individual off the streets who blogs on his iPhone. He uses this specific strategy to show that even high authorities or an individual with high credentials can also be victims of how the internet effects focus. Friedman even explains how he is unable to read the classic novel of War and Peace or even a couple of paragraphs on a blog post because it is "too much to absorb." With the internet making work and reading "easier', it may have flawed the human brain to look for the easy way out. Brain activity is now altered for the human to absorb information they will only be useful or beneficial to them. Carr uses the strategy of Ethos fairly well. From computer scientists to corporations such as Google, he presents multiple credible sources that help him with his claim. Convincing readers that the internet can change the way you take in or even have the ability to absorb information from a text, Carr proves that the strategy of Ethos is effective. Although effective, Carr may have several flaws in the way he uses this strategy. He does indeed provide very credible individuals, but they are all literary-types, just like him. Using experiences and information from literary types may seem a little biased considering the fact that the whole argument is about how the internet effects the way us humans read, obtain knowledge, and sometimes write. Carr should probably look into using individuals who has a different perspective than he and his literary-types do. They may even say that the internet is actually helping the way we work by providing a more efficient way to complete tasks or texts. Nonetheless, Carr still uses Ethos in an effective way to  support his argument. 
            Nicholas Carr also uses the strategy of exemplification. With credible sources established and introduced, he uses examples from others to help illustrate and illuminate his argument. Examples from history has been presented various times throughout the text. Carr compares how new technology back then affected individuals to how the new technology we have here today affects us. According to Carr, Alan Turing, a British mathematician, proved that the digital computer (which at the time of 1936 only existed to be a theoretical machine) "could be programmed to perform the function of any other information-processing device (61). He then discusses how the computer has evolved to not only provide information on the internet, but also become a radio, a map, a television, type writer, a printing press, and even a calculator. Now with the technological advancements, the internet can work in a very versatile way. He claims that the net has now become a domain of distraction, scattering our attention span and diffuse our concentration. HIs use in using historical examples also partly contributes into the strategy of compare and contrast. This influences the audience to believe that even in history, the theoretical idea of the computer may become more than an information-processing machine that may force or allow individuals to lose focus and attention easily. Carr's uses of exemplification was very effective to help support his claim.
            Carr not only explains how the internet can alter the way we focus, write, or read through examples and credible sources, but he also does so by connecting with the audience. Throughout the whole texts, he uses pronouns, such as; we, us, and you to make it clear that the internet does not only effect him and his literary-types but of all us together. He claims that we should be skeptical of his skepticism because of our love for the internet and even admits that perhaps some people that believe that the internet will prosper and help our world intellectually. But he also rebuts his statement, saying that because of the internet and how it can distract us, the loss of deep reading from printed pages causes us to lose focus and lack deep thinking. For the most part in the beginning of his texts, he refers to himself along with his literary-types more than the audience. He starts out strongly to show the audience how the net can affect how they are unable to absorb information the way they used to. But Carr later, makes it clear that it the new technology/internet is part of our world today and that is is important that we must start thinking about how we really obtain information from the web. The question of us really losing focus, us lacking the ability to think deeply, or even write effectively because of the internet may all be asked after Carr's argument. And that's what makes Carr fairly effective in his text. Carr was successful in making sure that the audience is engaged towards the end to clarify that we are all effected by the internet.  

            In today's day and age, the internet has become a tool that plays a major role in  technological advancements and arguably humans as well. Carr, on the other hand believes that the internet has become a distraction for people. Literary types such as himself are unable to focus and they blame the internet for that. Carr uses multiple strategies throughout the text to connect with readers by using examples and usses experiences and testimonies from credible sources to help his claim of how the internet may possibly be making us stupid. His text revealed several points that make great arguments in how the internet is negatively affecting us.. Carr uses Bruce Friedman's experience of his inability to read the novel of War and Peace to show that the internet has affected him and his focus on reading. Although the internet has helped us in many ways, almost becoming the universal tool of the world, it has negatively affected individuals. Just like Carr and his literary types, it has personally alter the way I have researched and read material. The invention of the car has become a huge advancement in the human race; although used as an efficient way to travel and get to places has it made us lazy? The internet is similar in that sense. It has become a tool that has advanced humans globally, but may have individuals question if it has become a distraction from reality. Making us stupid.