Your final essay is due on Monday, September 29th. We’ll begin to discuss essay # 2 and do an in-class writing exercise. No reading or blog assignment due on Monday.
For Wednesday, October 1st, please read: “Stoooopid …. why the Google generation isn’t as smart as it thinks” and write, on this blog, your thoughts in response to this article. You agree or disagree with the author? Why or why not? You should have posted your blog response by Wednesday morning, before class starts.
For Friday, October 3rd, / Please check blog again Friday afternoon to see what to do for next week (including reading for Friday). So for next week, please have this article read: “Is Google Making us Stupid?” and come into class with your proposed argument (for or against the two above articles) and be prepared to explain what approach you intend to take. You don’t need to know yet HOW you will argue, but rather what you hope to argue and how you plan to do your research and what evidence you hope to offer.
15 responses so far ↓
vixers // September 29, 2008 at 2:14 pm |
I believe that it is pretty hard to make judgments about our generation’s intellect when we have such a small span of time to consider the effects of the Internet on us. Yes, it’s meant to be used as a tool, and yes it has good and bad qualities, but the main fact to consider is that the Internet is now an irreversible part of America’s culture. So deal with it.
Assuming the author is from the previous generation, it is extremely easy for previous generations to judge future ones negatively . The Industrial Revolution, for example, was a huge part of American history, but although it produced many benefits to our culture, there were probably some who interpret the revolution as harmful to our society in some way. It is common that people in general, such as the author, immediately feel the need to perceive change in an unwelcome manner.
Although I do understand that the increase the speed of your thoughts and objects of attention due to the use of the Internet could inhibit a person’s ability to stop, slow down, and think, it is also important to consider how our generation has adapted to the change of pace and how we have utilized the Internet to our advantage. Perhaps in a way, this is another piece of the “survival of the fittest” concept. The Internet is new, and relatively difficult to adapt to while still maintaining a high level of intelligence, but I believe we’re doing an exceptional job of dealing with information overload. If it’s not possible to focus on two things at once now, perhaps our generation will change that. And if it is completely impossible, then our generation will be the one to cleverly adapt ourselves to a rapid switch of attention while maintaining good safety habits.
I don’t think the Internet prevents us from being social. On the contrary, it helps us network with our friends across the country(who is to judge friendship? I recently hung out with a friend I haven’t seen since last December and we are still as close as ever!), expand on our speaking abilities and helps us express our opinions to others. One good thing about the Internet is that unlike the “real world”, I find that people will not judge you for your age, sex, race, or religion(as long as you don’t tell them) in chats and discussions, but will consider you for your opinions. Online, your physical image is taken away from everyone else, but your personality, your opinions, your characteristics do show, and in a society where looks are so important, the Internet puts us in a world where people will know you for who you are rather than making judgments without knowing your true self.
In regard to the loss of focus and information absorption, I think that it depends on the person. Each person is unique in their cognitive abilities, why should the Internet matter? Some people need to take things slowly in order to learn information, and some can quickly absorb information like sponges and still have room to come back for more. Not only that, it is up to each person to decide whether or not to regard or discard every bit of information online that passes their way. It is everyone’s responsibility to decide what materials they should keep within their minds, what info is important, therefore we should not try to find something to blame this on.
Frankly, I feel that the author is completely disregarding nature’s call for us to adapt to the changes in our environment, instead developing a superior attitude that the previous generations are smarter simply because they have less things to think about and take things one at a time.
sohaiba // September 29, 2008 at 10:54 pm |
I agree with the article on the point that distractions are affectings our minds, but I strongly disagree that the internet is the culprit. My interpretation of the article was that the author, a convert from your average text-savvy joe to a frantic indivisual, was moved by the words of a greif-striken professor and father, and wrote his thoughts on the matter.
No doubt distracted workers are less productive than motivated ones because they’re focusing on more than one task, and can’t use 100% of their brain on both. This results in an adaptation known as Multi-tasking, the appearance of doing multiple tasks simultaneously without hesitation. Constant flickering between tasks however, decreases attention spans, and thus people who are constantly involved with multitasking don’t have the patients to sit and read a long essay/article. The extreme form of which is referred to as “Attention Deficit Disorder”, or “Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder.”
On the other hand, this is proven to be caused mostly due to motion pictures, either in movies or video games, rather than social networking sites.Yes, the hyperconnected world does pose some dangerous distractions, like talking on a mobile while driving, but it has more benefits than harm, if used responsibly.Truthfully, I think that social interactions via the web prepared me for a life in the US. If it wasn’t for the DSL I hacked from my neighbor on my last year of high school, I wouldn’t be the confident speaker i am today. Also people online can give their prespectives on soultions to problems facing you or me, facilitating the thought process, expecially if you don’t know where to begin.
In contrast, the author is making a valid point; technology has its disadvantages, but he doesn’t have the right to call us “Stoooopid.” It is also ironic that there is another article imbedded in the text titled “The internet kids are alright” that basically says “sorry for calling you stupid.”
bheflin // September 30, 2008 at 3:32 pm |
This is a very interesting article, and I was definitely fascinated as I read it. But one thing in particular jumped out to me and I want to focus this response on this particular issue. In the article, Mr. Appleyard makes the argument that we have trouble multi-tasking.
Now he doesn’t simply make the blanket statement that humans can’t multi-task at all, but rather on a specific level. He goes on to write that where we fail to do so is in the area of communications. He uses the example that we cannot effectively write an email and talk on the phone simultaneously. Upon first reading this, my response was more of doubt and second-guessing what Mr. Appleyard was saying. I knew I could do them both, I’ve done it before! But then as I thought about it, I realized that while they were both technically happening at the same time, my communication on both ends significantly decreased in quality. In fact, I become a very bad communicator when I’m communicating on two different levels at the same time.
So in this aspect, I definitely agree with Mr. Appleyard in that our brains can really only communicate on one level at any particular time. In order to be a good communicator, we should probably limit ourselves to one medium at a time.
mikeb89 // September 30, 2008 at 4:28 pm |
I agree with the author on some points, but not others. On the distraction part, I agree, but on the multi tasking and saying that we are too associated with doing more than one thing at once I do not agree with.
Distraction does lead to not doing as well as we can. I actually discovered this reading the article with my brother playing video games in the next room. I was listening to what he was doing and the words didn’t stick to me. I also agree that people should not have conversations and other things while driving, if possible. Distractions do take up a lot of time, especially while watching television or trying to get a report done online. Looking up for research can quickly turn into looking up blogs and music without realizing what was happening.
Distractions and multi-tasking are two very different things. I believe people can multi-task to a certain level, some people are better than others. I can listen to music and do homework at the same time. It becomes in the background, and while I enjoy the music, I am in total focus on my homework. Multi-tasking doesn’t hurt our ability to focus or think properly, it devides our attention. It doesn’t necessarily make it impossible to do both things at once, such as talking with a friend and doing a homework assignment (which I’m doing right now). It might take more time, but the quality is the same.
One thing I do not agree with is his way of explaining that facebook and other online chatting is the farthest thing from friendship. I talk with my friends online all the time, and a lot of my facebook friends are actually my friends. If i’ve never met them before, or just know them or they aren’t my friend, I usually don’t add them. It’s nice to keep track of what people you knew are doing and saying hi once and a while.
chkimi2 // September 30, 2008 at 5:52 pm |
I kind of have to agree on some points that Bryan Appleyard make. For instance, I definitely agree that technology does in fact distract many of us. At first, my reaction was “pfft,” because I didn’t think technology was distracting to me. But then I actually thought about it, and I realized that it does distract me. I’ve noticed I get extremely distracted when I write essays or lengthy assignments that take a while to do. When I get stuck on an essay, I’ll just log on to aim or msn and chat away. When I come back to my essay, I’ve totally lost my focus which causes me to take even longer on the assignment. So I definitely agree that we are distracted by technology and can’t focus well later on.
I completely FAIL at multitasking so I rather not even try. Bryan Appleyard talks about how multitasking ruins how we pay attention, making it harder for us to focus when we need to. I agree with that because I get a headache when I try to multitask. When I’m rushing and decide to multitask, it actually ends up taking longer than doing them one by one. On the other hand, if you’re good at multitasking, it can be helpful because you learn to switch from this to that without hesitating, and that can come in handy if you get really good at it.
Everything in this article makes sense, but it doesn’t necessarily make us dumb. I definitely don’t think the internet had an influence on my lack of focus; it’s just how I am. Everyone is different from one another, so someone on the computer 24 hours a day could have no trouble focusing, because it’s how they are.
apiccioni // September 30, 2008 at 6:33 pm |
I agree with some of what the author said, but not all. Our generation definitely gets distracted easily. I lost focus at least four times when I was reading the article. I agree with the author about talking on the phone while driving. I always find myself more focused on the conversation I am having than actually driving, which is really dangerous. But I don’t think being distracted relates directly to all of the technology we grew up with or having “information overload”. I see other generations get equally distracted while driving, so what is their excuse?
I also don’t agree with the author regarding multi-tasking. I’m definitely able to do homework, listen to the music, and have a conversation on AIM, giving all an equal amount of my attention.
Another thing I don’t agree with is his statement about Facebook and MySpace. Facebook has made it easier for me to stay in touch with all of my friends from high school that are going to different colleges. I actually talk to almost all of my “friends” on Facebook at least once a month. I don’t add anyone that I don’t actually talk to.
So I don’t agree with most of what the author wrote and I don’t think he has the right to judge our generation. Other generations haven’t had nearly enough time to see how our generation will turn out and it is way too soon to pass judgment.
sadafh12 // September 30, 2008 at 8:17 pm |
So yeah, I agree with this article on the point that the internet is extremely distracting but other points I didn’t agree with.
I am the MASTER of multi-tasking. I can’t do my homework without listening to music. I have to be doing other things in order to focusing on something else.
I think our younger generation has problems with getting distracted. It’s called ADHD. I work in a pharmacy so I see how many people come to pick up ADHD medicine.
I agree with his point that we’re being overloaded so much that if we see something with alot of letters we kinda just skim through it without absorbing the information…becuase that pretty much happens to me, I have to read something at least two three times before it processes in my head.
I think TV is waaaaaaaay more distracting than internet. If I see something I don’t understand or see a word I don’t know. I search the word or subject that I dont know about to find out about it. The internet is something that really helps me out.
Sure it’s distracting becuase there’s so much OTHER things we’d rather do than homework. I mean if you had a choice to go outside, then do homework, I’d go outside. Same thing with internet, if I could go on the internet rather than do homework…..well you know what I’d pick. I check my email every ten minutes.
“The hyper-connectivity of the young is bewildering. Jackson tells me that one study looked at five years of e-mail activity of a 24-year-old. He was found to have connections with 11.7m people. Most of these connections would be pretty threadbare. But that, in a way, is the point. All internet connections are threadbare. They lack the complexity and depth of real-world interactions. This is concealed by the language.” <– THIS I totally disagree with. Not all email’s are like that. My email’s are full of colorfulness. None of my email’s are ‘threadbare’. Neither are the people I email. I’ve had in-depth, profound conversations so much on AIM, email, facebook. Without facebook I couldn’t keep in touch with any of my friends.
I don’t think it makes us more stupid. (going back to what I say when I don’t know something and looking it up online) I think it really helps us. And it’s definately too soon to judge us, as everyone else before me states.
mxwilchek // September 30, 2008 at 8:40 pm |
I tried to get to the end of this article, I really did, but I got distracted….
Just kidding lol. Umm yea the author defiently has a strong point. I agree that there are plenty of distractions in the world that can reflect poorly on our output. There are a few things I do have a problem with. For example, she has very little evidence to her point, in my opinion. She quotes or maybe interviews a few people here and there including a socioalgist, who would say something along the lines that distraction is costing many people including the government, ecspecially if his own child was killed by someone who was distracted.
I do agree however that even with a hands free talking device should not be allowed while driving, because it is tow different things thta the driver concentrates on, and the driver shpuld only be concentrating on the road, so I can understand where he’s coming from.
Another problem I have with her article is I no way believe there is such thing as “chronic distraction,” that’s just ridiculous. You can’t be chronically distracted from something. If people can’t stand to read big paragraphs, then they aren’t chronically distracted then their just lazy.
Of course when I looked at the comments below of this artcile most agreed with the article, and if you look in the beginning it’s all middle age/old folk, so I could def see why older people now would agree with this article, and I’m sure that almost no one our age would agree with this article. So in other word the author is attacking a highly controversial subject with no right or wrong answer to it. But that’s just my opinion.
snguyeng // September 30, 2008 at 8:48 pm |
I’m pretty much stuck between agreeing and disagreeing with the author of this article. I would have to agree and disagree on the point that our generation is not as smart as the previous generations.
I disagree on the article point of being motivated at work, I worked at NFCU (Navy Federal Credit Union) for the summer and I’ve gotten distracted from my work pretty much everyday, playing online games. What I do at my job is mess with people’s accounts, which if I mess up they could lose all their money. But anyway, I find it more entertaining if I have a ton of work to do when I have at least maybe two hours before we’re let out to go home, and I still get my work done twice as fast as anyone in the ESO department. I suppose it just depends on the person and the way they look at “work” to be really “distracted.”
The author is right on some points that getting distracted takes you off-task from what you’re doing at the time, and it usually consumes more time than needed. I’d have to agree that sometimes I get distracted more than once while I’m doing homework or something else. While writing an essay when I’m not in a rush I would usually get distracted for maybe a few hours more or less. But that’s because I’m a video game addict, nothing too bad. I always get back on task sooner or later. Either way I always get my work done . . . usually.
Overall whether or not you’re a good multi-tasker or not depends on whom you are and what your attention span is, not just because you’re from the “Google Generation.” I’d have to say I’m a pretty good multi-tasker. For example, I would usually talk on AIM, Gmail, MSN, and Skype while using the webcam on one of them; then play random video games that interest me from internet sites, or maybe even a game of DOTA. All at the same time while I’m doing homework, whatever it may be. Well if it’s something simple as a ten question math worksheet, instead of the usual ten minutes or less, it would take me about four to eight hours. Either way it all works out.
Maybe our “Google Generation” just has more ADD people, unlike other Generations. Everyone has some type of ADD, somehow. WHEEEEEEEEEEE o_O
kcrumb // September 30, 2008 at 9:37 pm |
The article and the author is mostly bias. The writer compares a lot to his past and other peoples past. In this sense his argument is almost like when your grandparents tell you “back in my day we walked five miles to go to school”. Instead of looking at the internet as objective as possible, the author mostly compares our generation to his. This issue is so young we can’t really see the problems of the “google generation” until the generation has actually contributed to society. Most people in this generation are still kids, teenagers, and young adults. He also fails to see that this could be more evolution of society than stupidity. If you compare the Baby Boomer generation to generations before it, you may see dramatic changes such as boys with long hair and girls wearing clothing that is considered men’s clothing.
The author also talks about how the new generation cannot focus well and blames the internet. First of all, This generations ability to focus is more likely changed because of the high sugar and fat diet most people have today. Also, the author doesn’t look at the fact that the possibility of becuase of the internet people’s minds have to work much faster and multitask more. When people have minds that work fast, such things as listening to a lecture at school or reading a book is such a slow pace the mind becomes distracted. I believe because of the authors bias of his generations culture he believes the new generation is stupid when it is more like the new generation is more adapted to the new era of technology.
ncicalese // September 30, 2008 at 10:14 pm |
I would have to agree with Bryan Appleyard when it comes to distraction and multitasking. As part of the “Google Generation”, your first instinct is to deny everything in this article. But you have to look at it with an open mind and realize that he is correct in some ways. Many things are distracting to teenagers. If they’re not interested in what they are doing, they will try to find anything else to do besides that. However, in my opinion, procrastination is just a state of mind. You could have all these distractions around you, but it’s up to you whether to focus on your work or get distracted.
And multitasking.. well I know I’m the worst at this, but everyone’s different, so this might be easy for others. My one friend was talking to me on aim while on the phone, and ended up typing a mix of what he wanted to say to me and what he was saying on the phone, which made it confusing. But that goes to show that Appleyard is correct about things like this. Although, I don’t agree with him placing all the blame on the internet. If anything, the internet has taught us how to think faster and be able to multitask.
One thing I definitely disagree with, is the fact that he says, “Studies show older people are generally more adept with computers than younger.” That couldn’t be more wrong. All I know is that my parents always call for me when they can’t figure something out on the computer. Not only do we use it more than older generations, but we use programs that they most likely never heard of or care about.
As for our generation ruining democracy? I just can’t believe he actually takes it that far. I hate to be repetitive, but it’s way too early to make judgments about our generation.
ziazamir // September 30, 2008 at 10:55 pm |
This article proposes many things about the internet and the rise of technology on the brains of our generation and future generations. The author has proposed that multi tasking, which is a result of internet creates something called a distraction. This distraction, the author continues, kills. Attention, on the other hand, is what allows people to survive. To some extent, I agree that internet and technology is creating a distraction in the lives of us children. On the other hand, I believe that the use of Internet can be beneficial.
To begin with, the internet to some extent is a distraction to our lives. The author proposes that instead of the internet being used as a tool to gain knowledge, 90 percent of the teenagers time in computers is spent towards social networks. This is interesting for many reasons. First, it supports the point that the computer is a distraction. It supports the point that internet is not used as a tool for knowledge. I agree that teens are using computers for social networks, and it can cause a distraction. Another thing the author proposes is that the internet to some degree has effected our sustainability in reading. The example he gave us is that he has to skim rather than taking the time to read. I agree with this because Internet has such a wide range of sources that it is easier just to skim it to get the points needed.
However, I also agree with that internet can be beneficial for many reasons. First, internet, in my definition, is the interaction with the person and the computer. This interaction is similar to many things in life. For example, television is the interaction between the show and the person who is watching. One thing scientists has proposed the badfall of this is that the brain is sending messages that what they see in television is real bring in messages. However, this, with technology or not, I believe, is what people do everywhere. For example, a baseball game. People are sitting down, and the game is the constant interaction between the person and the game. Yet, nobody describes the baseball game as harmful because its a distraction. Second, internet is helpful in many ways as far as seeking knowledge and ideas. The reason is because the thing www stands for is world wide web. This means people are getting things from the whole world. This is beneficial for many reasons. One, if one were to rely on newspapers for news; it would be really easy for the media to trigger and play with the minds of the readers because that is the only source. Plus, they can impose all the bias they want and it would be accepted, because its the only source. However, with the internet, one could see many different perspectives of the news. One could see the perspective of the USSR. This I believe is crucial for development. It helps open the minds of the future generations.
ssinghq // September 30, 2008 at 11:15 pm |
I definitely agree with the arguments made by Bryan Appleyard. I believe life is already so complicated and with the facilities we have in the contemporary world, we are making it even more complicated.
I would certainly give it to the author on the arguments he made about distraction and multi tasking. For instance, reading this article took me a while because of the distractions that came in the way. Technology has become advanced but I guess younger generation is not using it properly. People often use their laptops more for socializing than to get the necessary things done. These extra activities we engage ourselves waste a lot of our time. Even multi tasking is a sort of distraction that deteriorates our output. Where multi tasking has a bad affect on your output, it is highly dangerous. People used to talk on phone while they drive; but now it has come to texting. I know it’s great that you could drive and text at the same time but its highly dangerous for you and others who are out there. For example writing a paper or doing a reading assignment while listening to music results in bad quality output. People think they have been doing it and are successful in it. However, if they do the same work once again without having any distraction or multi tasking, the output would definitely be much better.
I just disagree on the point when he says that new generation is really isn’t that smart what it thinks. I believe that younger generation is just immature and needs a little more time to get focused in life. Therefore, a comment can be made that younger generation is immature but not like its not smart. A time will come when youth will realize its responsibility and will start taking things more seriously. I think that the author has statistics to back his arguments. However, different interpretations can be made from one statistics. Therefore, I just gave my opinion after reading the article.
abigailchavez // October 1, 2008 at 7:02 am |
Appleyard was over-exaggerating. Yes, it is fairly difficult to comprehend what one is reading now-a-days, because of the temptation to facebook, the pings of instant messaging and texting, those interrupting phone calls, etc. however, my generation has grown accustomed to being the multitaskers of the 21st century. In fact, WE are the new era.
My generation has the ability to absorb a little of everything; this article proposed that distraction kills and that attention is key to surviving life. Though this article relates the internet to being a distraction, I believe the use of new technologies such as the internet are extremely beneficial. Prior to the internet, reading and absorbing information through other sources would take several long hours; now, it literally takes a few clicks and some skimming.
I believe that the internet includes a lot of information about everything in the world. However, most of it may not be necessarily factual. When using the internet, one must know which article or site to pick that delivers the correct information.
Though I strongly support the notion that the internet is extremely beneficial, I do agree that distraction can kill. An example of this would pertain to the careless drivers who cause accidents, because they were either talking on the phone-with or without a blue tooth device, texting, changing the radio station, eating, and even puting on make-up.
Technology can be both beneficial and distracting, one just has to know how to apply it.
abigailchavez // October 1, 2008 at 7:03 am |
Appleyard was over-exaggerating. Yes, it is fairly difficult to comprehend what one is reading now-a-days, because of the temptation to facebook, the pings of instant messaging and texting, those interrupting phone calls, etc. however, my generation has grown accustomed to being the multitaskers of the 21st century. In fact, WE are the new era.
My generation has the ability to absorb a little of everything; this article proposed that distraction kills and that attention is key to surviving life. Though this article relates the internet to being a distraction, I believe the use of new technologies such as the internet are extremely beneficial. Prior to the internet, reading and absorbing information through other sources would take several long hours; now, it literally takes a few clicks and some skimming.
I believe that the internet includes a lot of information about everything in the world. However, most of it may not be necessarily factual. When using the internet, one must know which article or site to pick that delivers the correct information.
Though I strongly support the notion that the internet is extremely beneficial, I do agree that distraction can kill. An example of this would pertain to the careless drivers who cause accidents, because they were either talking on the phone-with or without a blue tooth device, texting, changing the radio station, eating, and even putting on make-up.
Technology can be both beneficial and distracting, one just has to know how to apply it.
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