The article "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" is not what I expected it to be, which was pleasantly surprising. Upon reading the title, I envisioned seven grueling pages of debate regarding whether or not technology has a positive or negative impact on our social skills. It was refreshing to read an essay that concerned itself with, in my opinion, more relevant information and topics for discussion.
Whether it was the sense of my brain being "tinkered" with or the reference to being a "scuba diver in a sea of words", I was able to make many connections throughout the paper. When Carr stated that "Immersing [himself] in a book or lengthy article used to be easy," I knew exactly what he meant. I used to be able to sit and read for hours without feeling restless or embittered by the number of pages until the next chapter and "I feel as if I'm always dragging my wayward brain back to the text." Like Carr, I noticed these changes after I started spending more time on the internet.
Once in a great while, I would read the newspaper, and I would read multiple articles all the way through. Now, I can't remember the last time I read an entire article. I've turned to following various newspapers on social media sites where they provide tidbits of information, so it never takes more than a few minutes to be up to date with what's going on in the world. While I feel like I'm more informed, I don't know what lies beneath the surface. I wonder if I can go back to the way I used to read, instead of skimming "like a guy on a Jet Ski." I don't think I'll be able to, but that doesn't keep me from diving into a good book every now and then.
I absolutely agree with you, Ave. I, too, used to be able to read for hours on end without a thought to how long I had been doing so. Now, I find myself constantly looking ahead to see how far I have until the next chapter. It's not that I don't want to read--I really do, and I still love a good book. However, it is becoming harder and harder to do so. I think that our society is too focused on efficiency and getting things done. We stretch ourselves far too thin nowadays, which makes us unable to concentrate. I know, at least for me, that I will have multiple things going on in a day that I have to juggle and fit in, and trying to take some time to relax almost makes me more stressed. I am constantly thinking about all of the things I have to do, which makes "reading for pleasure" not so pleasurable. I'm sure you can relate--I think all high schoolers are too busy with homework, sports, extracurriculars, and jobs that we just don't have the time to sit down and read a good book, no matter how much we may want to.
ReplyDeleteYou make a good point about our society running constantly. I think for some people this could even make them feel guilty for wanting to slow down and read. They might feel that they are using their time ineffectively when there are so many things that need to be juggled throughout the day.
ReplyDeleteHey Ave! I hope you've had a great summer! I know exactly what you mean when you say how it used to be so easy to read and get caught up in a book. Lately I wish I could focus and be dedicated enough to read books like I used to, but I find myself checking my phone every five minutes when I am trying to read. I cant keep myself focused for long enough without a distraction from my phone. I also find myself skimming then having to reread because I didn't read any of the important information like I should have from the beginning. Even when I do find a great book that I can get caught up in, the technology and Internet distractions keep happening. See you next week! Have a great rest of the week!
ReplyDeleteHey Ave! I totally agree with you. When I read the part about how reading used to be easy, I thought the exact same way you did. I remember when I used to read and not even know that hours have passed by. Now it is hard for me to read something for 15 minutes. It is crazy how much technology actually changes. I never thought that technology would be the reason I get worse at reading.
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