Nicholas Carr comes up with an argument on the effects of computers on human intelligence. The technology writer claims that the Internet has turned the human brain into toys by reducing their ability to process information. He states that the brain becomes lazy and weak unable to make even the simple contemplations. Researchers from University College London support his studies because they have the same observations with peer-reviewed sources.
The researchers determined that people go online to avoid the traditional reading that eases access to information. Internet is becoming the primary source of information and the writer notes that this is affecting peoples’ ability to read books. Carr uses pathos directly to connect the readers to his arguments. The writer explores every detail in the effects of computers making the reader think that something needs to be changed.
The author thinks that he can no longer issue quick judgments. His brain is becoming weak each day he faces the computer. Carr states that he can no longer enjoy reading books because his concentration diminishes daily. Use of pathos in his argument is a good way to engage the reader’s mind into getting a clear picture of the worrying situation.
In the same way, the writer is unable to go beyond what the Internet provides, weakening his brain from exploring inner details. On the positive side, the writer recognizes that the Internet helps him save time while searching for complex information. Carr warns readers from this habit as it diminishes their ability to carry out their own tasks like researching from books (Stansbury, 2008, 102).
Carr captures the mind of his audience by using familiar issues and movie scenes. Besides the movies, his arguments are embedded in imagery and relatable analogies. The writer also uses metaphors to capture the minds of his audience.
Use of pathos is most common in Carr’s arguments and this has helped capture the mind of the audience and help clarify his points. According to Carr, every benefit has a price attached to it and sometimes the price may be more than the item. In his argument, the writer notes that the Internet is taking over the human mind.
Carr uses Ethos appeals in his argument. This help captures the mind of his audience. Ethos mostly focuses on the speaker and here the technology writer dominates the talk. As he clarifies his points, the writer applies ethos to help his audience capture the inner details of his argument. According to Carr, computers have eroded human mind leaving them with little power to concentrate. This has affected students in schools as they can no longer come up with reliable research using their books.
Use of logos dominates Carr’s argument where he relates the problem posed by the Internet to the real issues. Carr uses logic and facts to explore the problem and this enables the audience to get a clear picture of the issues. He notes the learners are unable to concentrate in class since they are used to getting quick answers through the Internet.
Use of logic and facts has played a great role in perfecting the writer’s essay. The audience is attracted and eager to hear the adverse effects caused by the Internet. The audience is also able to relate the issues in the argument with the effects caused by computers. Logos appeal is also applied where the writer used familiar movie scenes to direct the readers to the real effects of the Internet on their brains. In his well-thought evidence, the readers are able to get the points being given by the author (Stansbury, 2008, 102).
Logos appeal is also witnessed where Carr uses proof from various scientific researches to clarify the changes in the study methods of students. Learners can no longer go through pages in a book because their concentration is affected by the Internet. He claims that the Internet has negative effects on the mind by diminishing its capacity for contemplation. Carr gives a clear example where he writes that he can no longer read a longish article.
The author notes that the Internet has greatly tempered with the people’s critical thinking skills. Most people are unable to read long articles as they used to decades ago. Although Carr is criticizing the Internet, he believes that his argument will help people out of this danger.
He supports his study by relating the effects to the real issues being observed in the current world (Stansbury, 2008, 102). Young people are unable to engage in critical decision-making because they are used to summarized and quick answers. Carr states the learners no longer want to dive in the sea of words but act like a guy on a Jet Ski. People want to take shortcuts to get any information as it is already available on the Internet.
In conclusion, Carr’s argument is beyond the truth and explores the real issues being observed on the fast-growing computer technology. The article is well organized making it easy for the audience to capture the facts given by the author. Use of Appeals like ethos and logos has also played a great role in simplifying the essay because it relates the effects to logical things. Computers have transformed people from being able to think because they are used for quick responses in research.
Works Cited
Stansbury, Meris. “Rethinking research in the Google era: Educators ponder how the Internet has changed students’ reading habits.” eSchool Issues (2008): 1-2. Web. 24 Sept. 2013.