Summary:
Don Tapscott, a proponent of the net generation, gives an example of an opposing view in Grown Up Digital that suggests our generation is dumber than we should be at our age because of our use technology. Psychiatrists are concerned that our overuse of the Internet is causing us to be “a shallow, distracted generation…” (Tapscott 3). Technology and the Internet are adversely affecting our communication skills, ability to perform inside the classroom, reading, and focusing to get things done. We are hoping computers and the net generation will change the world, but in reality, it will bring us nothing.
Response:
The net has already and will continue to change the world. Our ability to research information online and learn faster than ever before has in no way hindered our intelligence. We have the ability to perform better academically because of technology. Yes, we are able to communicate over the Internet, but that does not mean we cannot effectively carry on a conversation with others. It is unfair to judge us just because we have the world at our fingertips. Times are changing, and with the advancement of technology, we are more informed, smarter, faster, and use resources that were not even accessible to past generations.
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I agree with your response saying that the net has not lessened our intelligence but rather has helped us. I think that communication through technology is just as significant as communicating in person. Just because we have more ability to communicate through technology does not mean we are becoming dumber. I also agree that the technology is making us more informed and faster than previous generations. What we learn is able to be transported through many different resources and can be accessible to almost everyone.
ReplyDeleteI don't think anyone would say that the Internet itself makes people dumber. Perhaps Tapscott misrepresented Bauerlein's point, but the criticism is that in spite of all the information available to you on the Internet, you use it mostly for socializing and recreation like shopping or celebrity sites, not learning about the world, keeping informed about what matters. What is the truth?
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