Is Google Making Us Stupid?

Is Google Making Us Stupid?

Rachel Fisher

BYU-I

Advanced Writing and Critical Thinking

FDENG 201

Sister Arynne Hoge

February 3, 2014

Abstract

In her paper, “Is Google Making Us Stupid?” Rachel Fisher, a BYUI student, analyzes the original article written by Nicholas Carr. Fisher analyzes what tactics, if any, Mr. Carr uses to convince his audience to accept his conclusion. First, Fisher introduces Carr’s article, and then briefly summarizes the author’s main points. She continues with her analysis as she specifically evaluates how Mr. Carr uses Logos, Ethos and Pathos in his quest to convince the reader.  Fisher describes and explains what role Carr’s use of examples and situations have in the audience conversion process. Throughout the analysis, Fisher points out areas of improvement and also those areas in which Carr excels.  In her conclusion, Fisher concedes that whether or not the reader is truly convinced is subjective, but Carr’s article has made a lasting impression. She declares that the reader will never look at the Internet in quite the same way.

Is Google Making Us Stupid?

“Who is this Nicholas Carr, and why is he calling me stupid?”  That thought was the first of many as I began to ponder the article, “Is Google Making Us Stupid?”  The author, Nicholas Carr, questions why his once astute brain is malfunctioning.  “I’m not thinking the way I used to think,” he states (89). He goes on to explain that his ability to read a book is gone.  He gets bored, fidgety, and begins to look for something else to do.  He just can’t seem to focus anymore. Mr. Carr boldly claims that he has discovered the culprit of his brain transformation; it begins and ends with the Internet. Nicholas Carr’s assertion that Internet use causes brain abnormalities may be true, but does his use of Logos, Ethos or Pathos guide his readers to the same conclusion?

Summary

Nicholas Carr, in his article, “Is Google Making Us Stupid,” explores the idea that Internet use changes how the brain processes information; not just processes information, but also affects the brains ability to concentrate and comprehend.  According to Carr, the side effects of the Internet are far reaching.  These effects can be seen in the increase of online reading, how students study and gather information, and how everyday people think.  Carr also calls into question the role of Internet companies in the proliferation of the internet. In conclusion, Mr. Carr warns that reliance on the Internet for information about the world will eventually leave the reader flat.

Logos

Let’s first look at Mr. Carr’s essay from a logical stand point.  Mr. Carr takes several different angles to logically convince the reader of his claim.  Carr does a comprehensive job describing the issue he is experiencing.  However, the article does not flow well. It is hard to logically follow a train of thought, when the article bounces from topic to topic. The reader can easily get lost in the shuffle. To assist in clarification, the article needs an obvious and strong thesis statement detailing things to come. Instead, it leaves the reader guessing and questioning the relevance of some of the included topics and references.