ENG 111 Assignment 3 - Grounds For Comparison - Final Draft

Raymond Prescod
Professor - Dr. David R. DiSarro
ENG111 Critical Reading and Writing I
Looking at Carrs, "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" and Thompsons, "Smarter
than You Think: How Technology Is Changing Our Minds for the Better" one may think
that there is absolutely no correlation in the writings. The contrast of the two titles allows
the reader to explore from two different points-of-view and at the same time realize that
there could be some correlation in the two opinions after all.
It took a while to determine which of the readings would work well together and
after much deliberation, I thought that choosing two titles that steered in a similar
direction would provide a challenging contrasting comparison over one that was more
complimentary. Carr suggested that the internet is weakening our capacity for the kind
of deep reading - once promoted by print media but has now fallen to shallower mode
of information processing. This information is obtained by way of quick browsing without
the thorough engagement of the mind allowing for any kind of sustained reflection or
analysis. (Carr, N. (2015). Alternately, in Thompsons Smarter than You Think, he
speaks of smart amateurs that could even outplay a supercomputer on the level of
Deep Blue. (Thompson C. 2013). The opposite approaches to human interaction with
the computer, was a perfect design for contrast.
Carr anecdotally sited his own experience explaining that his reading habits
changed due to the internet and was now experiencing difficulty focusing. He uses this
experience as evidence to conduct a study of online research habits through the

University College London. He had hypothesized that the modified reading habits
represented deeper changes in our cognitive architecture. He continued to present this
argument by highlighting new research showing that brain structure is more plastic than
was previously thought and he reinforced that these changes can follow into adulthood.
Here Carr looks at the negative impact that the dependency of computers and
technology have on our brain. Thompson on the other hand looked at the interaction
with computers and determined that there was a benefit to us to maintain that
interaction. He pondered about the possibilities where instead of competing against
each other, that humans and computers collaborated. He theorized that there could be
some mutual benefit because the strengths of each could complement each other. The
computer would bring the speed into the equation while the human would bring intuition
and insight, and together, they would be able to create a super chess player.
These comparisons may introduce the question of whether or not the population
chosen can be compared to each other. The selection includes a set of intellectuals who
play chess and could be considered anomalies whereas the other is represented by the
average person. Can you make a fair comparison in this case? I believe that it is a
matter of how much dedication and time that is available. One party uses the computer
to advance while the other depends on it for everything. By doing so, the brain becomes
more and more used.
Although the differences are clear, the similarities are also present. In each case
the computer is available as a tool and therefore like any tool it is only as good as the
user that is operating it. According to Carr, the dependency and easy access to the

internet and quick information is stunting the growth of the brain. Thompson on the
other hand believes that the ease and power of the computer should be harnessed and
used to improve our lifestyle.
Having to read the pieces repeatedly in order to understand and justify the
comparison, allowed me to identify with each of the writers perspective on the issue.
We have become slaves to our devices and are more inclined to skim across emails
and gather quick information so that we can move onto the next task. This behavior is
reminiscent of the youth today and perhaps Carr should not generalize but pin point
where the problem is. Ironically, the youth is our future, so Carr may not be so far from
the truth after all. I am more inclined to agree with Thompson because the technology is
a tool and we should use the tool to enhance or aid in our development. We should
remove the dependency and embrace the information that we have at our finger tips. I
am also guilty of skimming over my emails and require technology to maintain my life
balance. I have to slow down and allow the same tool that allows me to have ease of
access, to also enrich my mind by utilizing the resources for growth and development.

References

Carr, N. (2015). Is Google making us stupid? In G. Graff, C. Birkenstein, & R. Durst

(Eds.),

They say/I say: The moves that matter in academic writing, with

readings (3rd ed.,

pp. 313329). New York: Norton.

"New Nonfiction: Excerpt from Smarter Than You Think by Clive Thompson." Penguin
Press. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2016.