Is the Web Changing the Way We Think - Essay Example

Is the web changing the way we think? The controversial issue regarding the effect of the web on human thinking prompts diverse arguments from both lay people and researchers. People term it as “addition” due to its state of prompting an individual to appear as if glued to the browsing machine. This makes even some neglect duties or delays in accomplishing them because they are always social networking, watching videos, playing games, or texting their colleagues online.

Conversely, numerous researchers put it a bit confusing as a state of the user when online moving “from anticipation to anticipation, and not from satisfaction to satisfaction (Greenblatt 781).”Questions1. Does the internet make us smarter? Intellectuals state that the internet has availed enormous information that even a crummy institutional library’s resources cannot have any comparison (Greenblatt 777). Through internet search machines, a person can access diverse and adequate information within a small duration.

This is far from compared with an individual in a library who physically has to peruse books and probably may lack refined required information. Some intellectuals argue that the internet aids humanity in becoming smarter since it strengthens some parts of the brain. Conversely, Thompson from Syracuse University argues that much of internet information undergoes utter filtering, which makes it somehow shallow for reliance (Greenblatt 777). Internet researchers, especially students fail in digging deeply to attain the subject’s background.

Consequently, yielding to students and other persons who may be looking for similar information citing one source, which is limited. David Levy from the University of Washington warns of evil negatives regarding material overload that leaves one with no time meant for reflection. This leaves one with much information and devoid of the necessary capability to utilize it. Since the attained information, act as stored facts that have no purpose in life or formulation of other essential ideas (Greenblatt 778).

Carr states that the web has grievous results on its clients; because it affects the mind, especially in the manner in, which it processes information. Primarily, this is evident in the people who study short pieces of literature with hyperlinks embedded, for they have less attention to them than the actual physical book readers. The Internet bears positive and harmful aspects, but these depend on individuals’ context, which implies that the internet does not make us either smarter or stupid. Hence, altering the way we think (Greenblatt 778).2. Does the web shorten attention spans?

Numerous people argue that the web has drastically reduced this generation’s attention spans because not many are able even to read large chunks of information online. This is because of countless social alerts that keep popping in and making concentration hard for online users. Its reflection has extended even in the classroom, where students cannot have at least one-hour of attention without switching to something else. In addition, to supporting diminished attention, critics argue that even media has resulted in utilizing short stories and myriad diverse colors to maintain the attention of its viewers.