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Summary Of Smarter Than You Think By Clive Thompson

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Total intelligence is increased when technological advancements are combined with the human brain. One person who evaluates these very advancements, and agrees with the above statement is Clive Thompson. In his article “Smarter Than You Think: How Technology Is Changing Our Minds for the Better” he explains just how much technology in the world today has an impact on our brains. Clive Thompson’s article and his use of research reports are thought-provoking and effective.
Within his article, Thompson uses strong reasoning and logic, as well as good examples to support his argument. Thompson states “Which is smarter at chess-- humans or computer? Neither. It’s the two together, working side by side” (347). In this example, Thompson is explaining that when playing a game of chess, combining technology with the human mind is more beneficial in comparison to just computers or just humans. Thompson’s example is strong and effective because the study that he used in his article is reliable. He explained a study that was done to prove that it was more effective when combined, instead of assuming it was. It is also evident that even though Thompson did not provide statistics for the how much more effective it is to use both technology and human brains, it …show more content…

He explains “The one thing that both apocalyptics and utopians understand and agree upon is that every new technology pushes us toward new reforms of behavior while nudging us away from older, familiar ones” (349). In other words, Thompson is evaluating the ideas of certain groups that may not share a lot of ideas. In doing this, and showing what they agree on, help support his argument. His use of analyzing the ideas of groups of people helps elaborate on the effects of technology. Clive engages the reader to think for themselves on how technology impacts them, due to showing the ideas of apocalyptics and

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What this means is the things that are being continuously made are changing our critical thinking skills. Thompson central claim is that computers are not as smart as humans, but once you have been using them over a certain amount of time you seem to get better at working them and that’s what really makes you more efficient in using them. The point that I don’t agree with Carr on is “Their thoughts and actions fell scripped, as if they're following the steps of an algorithm (p.328.)” I don’t agree with Carr’s argument here because he’s emphasizing that human thoughts are being scripted and we don’t think about things critically, but not all of our thinking

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The use of a figure makes his argument that technology has a larger effect on mankind is made easy to believe due to the trustworthiness of Nietzsche in his example. The reader also believes that if a great mind like Nietzsche was affected by technology, surely they are being affected as well. Carr’s use of a popular philosopher only serves to further his

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