The point that Carr seems to be making so far is that the repeated heavy use of the internet is rewiring our brains, decreasing our ability to think linearly or in depth for extended periods of time, just as the monkey's brains were rewired when given different stimulus from the nerve cells in their hands.
Do you think that it is possible that our brains will rewire themselves to become just as proficient at thinking associatevely as they are linearly?
Will a generation raised with the internet fare well in the future, or is the ability to think linearly superior?
Are the problems people are encountering with decreased ability to think linearly a result of these changes being reported and studied by people who were raised to think linearly and are having problems adapting to a more associative style?
Finally, if it turns out that the associative, sporatic style of thinking cultivated by internet use is impacting our ability to think well, what can we do to avoid falling into that trap given the internet's utility, endurance, and widespread use?
What I think the internet is doing is changing the way we think from linear to holistic. Its like an electronic collective mind that really destroys the illusion of separation we have adopted as a "linear" way of thinking.
ReplyDeleteIn response to the question "Do you think that it is possible that our brains will rewire themselves to become just as proficient at thinking associatively as they are linearly? " I say that based off of what Carr describes in Chapter 2 of The Shallows,the proficiency of our brains to think both associatively and linearly would depend on how we use them. He describes the plasticity of the human brain by describing various studies and experiments that have been done all pointing to the fact that the human brain is constantly changing. He says that if we abandon one activity or way of thinking and do different things that involve different thoughts and actions our brains will adapt different connections that become stronger if they are repeatedly used.
ReplyDeleteThis is important when looking at the thought processes of humans. It seems that in our society if has become much more efficient to utilize associative thought processes instead of linear ones. This being said, I believe that we are therefore abandoning the linear method and becoming less inclined to think and behave in this form.
Carr discusses his own experiences with this when he talks about how notices how he finds it very difficult to concentrate on lengthy readings. He rarely will read a book from cover to cover or a blog that spans any longer then a few paragraphs. To me this is the perfect example of how the human brain will adapt to the activities that it most commonly uses and abandon those that have become obsolete. It seems to me that this affect is common but not necessarily negative. Our society is changing and our thought processes should change in response.
I personally believe that one kind of thinking (linear or associative) cannot really be considered better or worse, they are just different. Each one has positive and negative aspects and can be utilized in different areas to achieve the best possible outcome. Each individual person's brain will adapt according to maintain the thought processes that are the best for them bases off of their most prominent thoughts and actions.
In response to the questions posed, I think it is very possible for our brains to be rewired to think associatively rather than linearly. I feel that the internet has allowed for many to stop the use of in-depth thinking and allows for answers and information to be handed to people with the click of a button. Our brains are getting used to not having to work, and like Carr mentions, it is how you use the internet that will make one like this, just as McLuhan states, but I feel many are taking advantage of having the net at their fingertips.
ReplyDeleteAlthough with our rapidly changing society and the invention of new technologies happening basically right before our eyes, only allows for new thought processes to form. There seems to be no transparent way around it. Many have already turned to the internet as their main source of information and are now beginning to see the consequences of doing so, as Carr explained his encounters with the lack of being able to concentrate for a long period of time.
In order to avoid this happening and causing generations after us to have trouble thinking linearly, the internet use should be monitored in some way. Now I know this would a difficult task, and it would be extremely difficult to monitor. If this could be done, somehow, it would help to avoid, or restrict the loss of linear thinking.
Carr threaded a very good argument for how the plasticity in adult brains can allow for rewiring from different processing experiences. I definitely resonated with the quotes introduced in the first chapter, with scholars from different fields talking about how within recent years they have notice that they lacked the ability to focus on long texts.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the problem with non-linear thinking is being overstated by people who can't adapt. I think it is somewhat scary to think that the ability to think through something for a long processed time is something of the past. Overall, I think it is valuable that our brains are adapting to process information in a way that is conducive to the internet, but I also feel that it is very important to maintain the brain functions/synapses necessary to conduct a linear thought process.
I think it is very possible for our brains to rewire themselves to thinking associatively. And I think that they have the ability to adequately adjust as well. Technology brings about changes in cultures, and changes in the way our minds work... yes perhaps we do not think as linearly as before. Yet life is constantly changing, adaptations are constantly, over long periods of time, being made in all living creatures. Neuroplasticity is probably the most obvious explanation and evidence of this change taking place. As the brain is introduced to new things, it will surely change accordingly.
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