Making America Lazy and Stupid One Click at a Time, Essay Example

Technology and media – smart phones, ipods, laptops, and tablets – streaming from everywhere, it is next to impossible to imagine a world without news, business, education, and even friends right at the tips of our fingers. Some critics argue that characteristics of the modern day discourse include a more impractical, frivolous, and withered media and technology, while others contend that technology has brought them closer to friends and family while providing a stimulating experience. Today, many modern citizens spend countless hours in front of the internet “liking” numerous and meaningless things, to later plop in front of the television at the end of the day, with a bag of greasy potato chips, smart-phones glued to their sides, mindlessly watching the next idol sing their way to a record deal. Media, Google included, has made our society lazy, anti-social, and stupid.

Nicholas Carr makes numerous valid points in his argument Is Google Making Us Stupid? He uses logos, pathos, and ethos in his attempt to engage readers. Although not everybody, especially in such an internet dependent society, will agree with him, his argument is very appealing and alluring.

Carr develops his argument logically (logos) by persuading the audience with reasoning. Both the pros and cons of the internet are presented in the article. He does not simply present one side of his argument, leaving readers to guess about the rest. Carr describes how helpful the internet can be when implemented successfully and in moderation, and how disastrous it can be when abused. The key to the issue is balance. The internet has made life more convenient in so many ways, but his also taken away from face time as well as our research and cognitive skills.

Additionally, Carr uses pathos to appeal to readers’ emotions. Carr places himself in the article sharing his own personal experiences with thinking and memory. Carr (2008) mentions, “My mind isn’t going—so far as I can tell—but it’s changing. I’m not thinking the way I used to think.” He does not merely point the finger of blame at his readers, calling modern Americans stupid. He places himself in the middle of the stupidity. This appeals to readers because Carr is not abrasive or accusing with his language. He applies the concepts universally.

Furthermore, Carr uses ethos through his credible and reliable sources and his breadth of information. He provides a perspective that readers can appreciate and trust. Carr provides his own account and experiences, the interviews of friends and acquaintances, as well as scientific experiments and research to help present his case.

I agree with Nicholas Carr. Our society has become so dependent upon media. We spend excessive amounts of time in front of the computer every day, keep our smart phones by our sides all day long, and plop in front of the television at the end of the day. We spend more time “liking” friends’ photos than actually spending face time with people. Don’t get me wrong, there is a fine line between enjoying the technology that has been given to us and abusing it. But in my opinion, media has made our society lazy, anti-social, and stupid.

Works Cited

Carr, Nicholas. “Is Google Making Us Stupid? .” The Atlantic (2008). Print.