The Internet Is Changing The Way People Think - Essay Example

Secondly, even if there is nothing wrong with individuals wanting to have their electronic devices and being always “connected”, statistics have shown that this can be very dangerous especially when they go so far as to drive while checking for messages, etc. on the Net. Finally, some critics say that the Internet has been very useful in providing information and helping individuals store information. Those in opposition do not disagree but add that the thought process employed while on the Internet do little in promoting long-term memory and the skill of contemplation.

Greenblatt’s report states that the impact of the Internet on how people think may greatly affect society as we know it (776). The Internet may turn the present society into one trying to constantly cope up with the new forms of media, the flood of information and the like that it does not have time to sit back and reflect on its experiences. Three Questions In the article, intellectuals and social critics were giving their opinions on three questions. The first was if the Internet made people smarter.

(Greenblatt 777) Some said yes although they had varying ideas of “smarter”. . The next question was if the Web shortened attention span. (Greenblatt 778) People’s attention span has become shorter, some experts say, because of the many distractions brought about by the Internet. This is contradictory, others counter when one thinks of the number of concentration players of video games show. Supposedly, exposure to the Internet has made people become more impatient with tasks that require a longer time to think or analyze because of the numerous applications and things on the Web that pull people away from what they were originally doing.

However, others will argue that these distractions serve to further stimulate an individual’s brain by giving it so many choices to interact with. Lastly, the article asks if people are addicted to the Internet. (Greenblatt 780) Some say just because people always have their devices at hand does not mean they are addicted. Psychologists counter that if these same individuals are not able to perform tasks in the other parts of their lives because of these devices then it can be termed addiction.