Introduction
In modern society, people have access to various technical innovations, thanks to which activities can be almost limitless. However, electronic devices change not only the way people live but also the way they think and organize the process of information consumption. It affects the ability to concentrate and acquire new knowledge.
The ability to search for data and exchange messages on the Internet has played a significant role in the modern understanding of learning. In the articles “Is Google Making Us Stupid?” by Nicholas Carr and “How Computers Change the Way We Think” by Sherry Turkle, the authors examine what has changed in people’s lives with the advent of innovative devices. Electronic technologies help people search for new information, but they also significantly affect their concentration level and physical activity.
Carr on Shallow Reading and Reduced Attention Span
First, people need help reading large amounts of information, novels, and books in depth and thoughtfully. Nicholas Carr, in his article, gives an example. The author cannot concentrate on significant texts and feels forced to return his thoughts to them constantly (Carr, par. 2).
Carr’s belief and value are his idea that people should be able to find and process information themselves (Carr, par. 2). The modern presentation of knowledge on the Internet is focused on providing readers with clearly defined and structured data. Accordingly, they do not need to think about themselves and look for the necessary materials.
A similar example can be observed in students in educational institutions. In recent years, fewer people have studied paper books in physical libraries. As a rule, they focus on finding everything online, including completed homework. Therefore, their level of concentration and engagement drops, which affects their way of thinking.
Turkle on Cognitive Overload and Word Processing
The idea of concentration is similar to an article by Sherry Turkle. The author cites the need for adequate processing of information that the brain can keep up with as an argument. People manipulate the text on the screen and notice its structure before their brain processes the data (Turkle, par. 7).
Accordingly, the new generation is prone to faster activity. Still, understanding takes more effort. Thanks to built-in programs, electronic devices allow people to print not each letter individually but whole words. However, Turkle believes that this can only worsen the overall situation (Turkle, par. 7).
The author explains this because the psychology of word processing has an excellent structure (Turkle, par. 7). This leads to the possibility of electronic error correction, and changing the tone and grammar of writing can impair writing and the ability to master information. Thus, both authors agree on the importance of concentration and more thoughtful receipt of information.
In addition, both authors believe that modern technology makes people more vulnerable to deep interest and gullibility. Nevertheless, it is important to say that social networks help people to connect and share experiences (Gladwell, par. 4). Turkle says that today’s students do not look for information further than what the Internet provides (Turkle, par. 3). However, it should be understood that much data on the Internet is unreliable, but the modern generation takes it at face value. Accordingly, their background knowledge and desire to check the value of information deteriorate.
Decline of Deep Learning and Media Influence
The level of education is declining, and people are coming to a lower level of knowledge than before the innovation era. At the same time, Carr argues that not only the wayward generation but also consumers of the media are exposed to such a detrimental effect (Carr, par. 4). According to the author, the press aggressively pours the information they need into the heads of people who often do not verify it (Carr, par. 7). This leads to the fact that consumers can only cover part of the range of data and select among them the necessary and reliable ones. Thus, the concentration level needs to be increased for the study of information to be dosed and proportional to the possibilities of ocular activity.
However, the authors have different views on the further impact of technology on people’s lives. Turkle takes the situation more favorably and says that innovation helps people succeed in life and new types of learning. Students can search for information in the public domain, which can be helpful if they process the received data and look for confirmation.
At the same time, Carr, on the contrary, is less optimistic. The author adheres to the position that such technologies are stupefying and affect people’s ability to think adequately. Accordingly, the time will come when people can absorb only the information given to them directly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the authors believe that technology affects concentration. Due to the presentation of information on the Internet, people are still interested in the reliability and correctness of the data. At the same time, people cannot concentrate on extended reading, which can affect their literacy.
However, the authors look at further development in different ways. From Carr’s point of view, people will become more imaginative with the Internet. At the same time, Turkle hopes that modern technologies will help the development of society.
Works Cited
Carr, Nicholas. “Is Google Making Us Stupid?”. The Atlantic, 2008, p.1.
Gladwell, Malcolm. “Small Change: Why the Revolution Will Not Be Tweeted”. The New Yorker, 2010, p.1.
Turkle, Sherry. “How computers change the way we think.” Law and Society Approaches to Cyberspace. Routledge, vol. 3, 2017. pp. 3-7.