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Nicholas Carr vs. Steven Pinker

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Nicholas Carr vs. Steven Pinker
Nicholas Carr vs. Steven Pinker

There is no doubt about it that in today’s generation the Internet is one of the best phenomenal creations invented. By simply having a computer, cell phone, tablet, ect, anyone and everyone can access the Internet. But can this powerful yet simple creation have a drastic effect on how the new generation operates today? The entire world is rapidly becoming obsessed; everywhere you look you're bound to see something related to the Internet. Search engines, texting, twittering, blogging; to name a few. We have all heard of at least one of those internet friendly applications. But can those applications become too friendly to the point where they are a distraction to the young mind? Can those applications hinder how the human brain functions? There are numerous arguments, views and statements regarding such an important question. Two writers that I researched share their opinions and views based off of how the internet has affected others intelligence today. These two writers go by the name of Nicholas Carr and Steven Pinker. Without having any knowledge of what the articles are about one only needs to read there titles to distinguish the differences between the two. Where as Nicholas Carr’s article is titled, “Does the Internet Make You Dumber?” Steven Pinker’s article is titled, “Mind over Mass Media”. Both writers have completely different types of titles but one can assume that they are responding to the same subject. After thoroughly reading both articles, Nicholas Carr and Steven Pinker have completely different views when it comes down to how the internet influences others. Firstly, Nicholas Carr addresses heavily how in fact the internet does make you dumber. All throughout the article he gives examples of studies aimed at showing how the internet doesn’t positively contribute to the brain at all. As stated from the article Nicholas Carr explains how “People who read text studded with links, comprehend less than



Cited: Page Carr, Nicholas. "Does The Internet Make You Dumber." (2010): 44-46. Print. Pinker, Steven. “Mind Over Mass Media.” (2010): 47-49. Print. Turkle, Sherry. Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other. New York: Basic, 2011. Print.

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