Is Google Making USupid Analysis

Analysis of “Is Google Making Us Stupid?”

Nicholas Carr’s article Is Google Making Us Stupid? argues that quick, massive information is detrimental to critical thinking. Throughout his essay, Carr provides historical examples and his own ideas to defend his argument. Along with this main argument, Carr makes other claims to back up his argument. His paper addresses many topics, but it fails to delve into each topic and claim sufficiently in some cases. Although it had this issue, his paper was rather persuasive because of its plentiful examples, outside sources, and personal experiences.

To begin these claims, Carr states that he has had difficulty maintaining concentration while reading long articles and books in recent years (Para. 2).

Depending on the individual, analysis and critical thinking may come naturally, but some individuals may be tempted to follow what Carr discusses in his paper by skimming through many internet pages. In Carr’s essay, he makes it seem like every human will be affected in the same way by Google and its impact on the way information is spread, but the impact will vary between each person. If someone is taught to read deeply at a young age, this habit will likely follow them throughout their entire life. On the other hand, if someone is taught just to skim the surface and never indulge in information at a young age, this habit will likely stay with them for their entire life. Daniel Conrad and Diane Hedin from the University of Minnesota conducted and analyzed a group of studies on the impact of experiential education on youth. The experiential education programs encouraged direct experience and reflection on that experience (Conrad and Hedin 58). They were locally funded projects that encouraged students to take an active role in the learning process (Conrad and Hedin 58). The studies found that seventy-three percent of students learned more through these programs (Conrad and Hedin 69). By applying this study to the use of Google, teachers, parents, and other adults can improve their child’s ability to truly learn by using a wide array of sources on the internet. Parents and teachers who apply these studies teach a child from a young age to appreciate and properly utilize the resources available to them. This combats Carr’s concerns of a loss of critical thinking skills because it supplements one’s critical thinking skills rather than completely overtake them. One can learn to apply everyday experiences to the information they learn on Google. Critical thinking skills are used in finding the application, lesson, and use of information