In the 2008 article for The Atlantic, “Is Google Making Us Stupid?”, Nicholas Carr raised an important question that remains relevant today. He argued that the internet and other digital technologies change how people think and process information (Carr 91). The primary argument presented by Carr in his essay is that the evolution of our intelligent technologies is evidenced by the modification of the metaphors people use to describe themselves and their cognitive processes.
Carr suggests that the way people think is being reshaped by the internet and digital technologies. He notes that the internet has changed the way people read and process information, making it more challenging to concentrate and engage in deep, reflective thinking (Carr 93). This is partly due to how the internet is structured, with its many distractions and constant interruptions. It is also because people are becoming more reliant on search engines like Google to find information rather than relying on our memory and knowledge.
I have often used metaphors to describe myself and my thinking processes, which have changed over time with the advent of new technologies. In the past, when I engaged in deep thinking, I used to describe it as “diving deep into a topic” or “going down the rabbit hole.” These metaphors reflected my desire to explore a subject thoroughly and arrive at a deep understanding. I would spend hours reading books, taking notes, and pondering the information until I felt I had a solid grasp of the topic.
However, with the rise of digital technologies, I have used different metaphors to describe my thinking processes. I now describe it as “skimming the surface” or “treading water” when I engage in online research. This reflects the fast-paced nature of the internet, where information is available at the click of a button and requires less effort to access. I skim articles, scan for relevant information, and move on to the next topic without spending as much time on it.
These metaphors also reflect the technologies that I use. With the rise of search engines like Google, I can find information instantly without needing to engage in deeper thinking. While this is convenient and saves time, it may also make me more prone to distraction and less likely to engage in critical thinking. I have also used metaphors to describe how I interact with technology. For instance, I might describe my relationship with my smartphone as being “attached at the hip” or “an extension of my hand.” This reflects my dependence on technology to stay connected with the world and access information. Overall, the metaphors I use to describe myself and my thinking processes have changed over time, reflecting the shift toward digital technologies and the fast-paced nature of the internet. While these metaphors can be convenient and help us remember how we use technology, they also indicate a broader cultural shift towards instant gratification and a lack of critical thinking.
In conclusion, the metaphors people use to describe themselves and their thinking processes can provide insight into how their relationship with technology has changed over time. As people adapt to new intellectual technologies, such as the internet and search engines like Google, they may use different metaphors to describe their thinking processes. While these metaphors may be convenient, they also reflect a cultural shift towards instant gratification and a decrease in critical thinking. It is essential to be aware of these changes and consider how people can use technology to promote deeper thinking and engagement with the world around them. As Carr suggests, people must adapt to new technologies while also being mindful of their effects on their thinking processes and the metaphors they use to describe them.
Work Cited
Carr, Nicholas. “Is Google Making Us Stupid?” Teachers College Record, vol. 110 no. 14, 2008, pp. 89-94.