Gibran Sheikh
Professor Macklin
English 115
31 October 2012
Exercise 3.3 –
Argumentative Proposal
My argument will deal with the claims of two authors, both
of which have different ideas towards the idea of modern technology and its
rapid growth in the modern world.
·
Here is one important claim in
this ongoing conversation.
Nicholas Carr, the author of “Is Google Making Us
Stupid”, presents a claim about the world-renown website Google. In his
article, Carr describes how such a well-known site tampers with the minds of
individuals. He then proceeds to explain how a famous site such as Google leads
an individual to ultimately wander from link to link all across the internet.
As he later states, the internet leads an individual to “scatter [their]
attention and diffuse [their] concentration” (Carr). Carr informs certain
individuals about the skeptics of the internet, and that a powerful search
engine can, in the end, “tinker” with an individual’s mind. He continues to
state that there is a seemingly uncomfortable vibe that is given by the
internet, or Net, as he calls it. Inputting his own personal life, Carr states
that he has spent countless hours searching the Net and even contributing to
its database, and he agrees that the internet has become an essential factor of
media in general. Later, Carr comes back to his point of how the internet
ultimately is “chipping away at [his] capacity for concentration and
contemplation”. Carr also explains how the internet is a basis of distraction
and how it serves to diminish an individual’s involvement in certain materials.
Carr also argues that the Net is responsible for the alteration in the minds of
many, different individuals. Carr climactically reestablishes his claim towards
the end of his article; in his eyes, the internet eventually is responsible for
the drop in the general intellect of certain individuals.
·
Here is an opposing claim in this ongoing conversation.
Any individual who may oppose this claim, may state a
claim that says Google actually is making people more intelligent. This being said,
some people may find Google either actually making them a smarter more
individual, or rather it simply makes life easier for them. In this opposing
claim, people may state that a search engine like that of Google only hold to
suffice for a small portion of the vast knowledge that the internet serves to
hold. In this opposing claim to that of Carr, one may say that they, or society
if not them in particular, become introduced to such a vast knowledge. It is in
their view that the internet and other mediums hold more to just introduce, but
rather to teach. It is in their claim, the opposing individuals, that the
internet may actually teach them something rather than take away from them.
These individuals may find that the internet is only there at their own use and
purpose, and therefore it is really up to the individual to decide whether or
not he is actually learning something or not.
·
Here is what I think is questionable or
problematic with some of these claims.
In Carr’s claim, he seems to use skeptics a bit more
than a natural-based evidence to back his points up. He also jumps from points,
scattering his main topic throughout his article. Also, there is a lack of
certainty in his article which weakens his overall message. As for an
individual opposing Carr’s claim, they would seem to give too much back-up
towards the aspects of technology, such as the internet and Google. In other
words, they may find mediums such as the internet or Google to only hold
benefits, not fully administering the negatives that such a medium has.
·
Here is my claim in this
conversation.
In my point of view, as a reader, I would like to say
that many people may view technology as they please. Opinionating on certain
aspects of technology such as the internet, or a search engine like that of
Google, serve only to contribute to the opinions of others. In reality, an
individual may choose to view whatever he or she wants, as he or she pleases.
There will always be skeptics and there will always be varying opinions that
people will come across. In the end, it is up to these individuals to choose
whether or not to believe with whatever the opinions say. In my view, it is
certain that people will choose to believe certain things others may not. In my
case, I would happen to disagree with Carr; however, to a degree, and I would
have to agree with individuals who oppose his claim, also to a degree. It is in
my view that I see two opposing claims yet, there is similarity. Both claims
address modern technology and modern media, which are relatable to not only
each other, but society as well.
·
Here is what other scholars might say about my claim.
Now, some scholars may or may not fully agree or
understand my stand on the situation between the claims. Those who disagree
with my stand-point probably would think that a person’s opinion may go a long
way, meaning that some, if not many, would side with either claim. This is not
the case for everyone. Many individuals would say their own stand points and
the opinions of others may not cross their minds. Also, scholars may state that
opinions are what shape the modern world today. I would say that this is not
the case, because certain aspects in the modern world are not entirely derived
of opinions.
Works Cited
Carr, Nicholas.
"Is Google Making Us Stupid?" TheAtlantic.com. The Atlantic
Monthly Group, July-Aug. 2008. Web. 30 Oct. 2012. <http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2008/07/is-google-making-us-stupid/306868/>.
Gee, James Paul.
"Chapter 1." Introduction. Why Video Games Are Good for Your Soul:
Pleasure and Learning. Melbourne, Vic.: Common Ground, 2005. 1-7. Print.
