The Internet offers an abundance of information and has become a universal medium. The ease of access and the fast-paced nature of online content has tinkered with an individual’s mind and how they function. Nicholas G. Carr’s wrote an excerpt titled “Is Google Making Us Stupid” where he argued that the Internet, with all its simplicity, is limiting his capacity to concentrate. With the powerful advantages of using the Internet, it does not necessarily mean individuals must sacrifice their ability to read deeply and think reflectively. As with most topics, it depends on the individual and the medium they are using. Scholars from University College London found that, “people using the sites exhibited ‘a form of skimming activity,’ hopping from …show more content…
Additionally, the internet is associated with instant gratification. When people use a search engine like Google to research a specific topic, they want instant access to the information. The internet is essentially viewed as a tool that makes working and researching much easier. With that mindset, individuals are only interested in consuming information as quickly and as efficiently as possible. Although it can hinder a person’s ability to read and think critically, it does not sacrifice it. As mentioned before, the medium plays an important role. When using the internet, it is tempting to go to Youtube, play a game, or switch to a different website. The internet, as a medium designed for efficiency, scatters an individual’s attention and diffuses their concentration. With the advancement of software and the internet, people don’t feel the need to read and reflect critically. They become accustomed to the internet giving a summary, or the most important points to a specific topic. I could relate to this myself. When I do research on a topic, I tend to skim an article or find a quick summary of the topic. That is only for efficiency and