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Zehao Chen
Dr. Susan Cooper
Assignment 2 draft 1
3/26/23

A Rhetorical Analysis of Nicholas Carr’s “Is Google Making Us Stupid?”

In his article "Is Google Making Us Stupid," Nicholas Carr convincingly

argues that the Internet, and Google in particular, is changing the way we

think about things and the way we approach things themselves. Today, we

rely on the Internet for a wide range of activities, from learning and research to

entertainment and socializing. The Internet makes it possible for us to access

information instantly from anywhere in the world, and makes communication

faster, cheaper and easier. The Internet is an incredibly powerful tool that has

changed the way we live and interact with each other. But in addition to

making all of our lives easier, it has given us many drawbacks.

Carr noticed that in the past, when reading a book or a long article, it

was always a no-brainer that the head would focus on following the narrative

or the arguments therein, spinning endlessly. But that doesn't even work

these days. "Now, often after reading two or three pages, my attention drifts

away." Carr has found a reason for this one problem, having spent so much

time online over the past decade or so, surfing and searching through the

ocean of information on the Internet. For writers, the Internet is like a pot of

treasure that falls from the sky, and the research that used to take days to do

in a pile of books now comes together in a matter of minutes. Carr writes, "For
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others too, the Internet is becoming a universal medium, a conduit through

which information flows through my eyes and ears and into my mind." It is the

Internet that has become such an integral part of our lives that it has

revolutionized the way we access and consume information. With the advent

of Google, the Internet has become a vast repository of information that

makes it possible for people around the world to connect, share ideas and

communicate with each other.

Carr says the information is so rich that we are overwhelmed and

thankful for it, but often overlook the price to pay. "The Internet seems to have

shattered my ability to focus and contemplate. Nowadays, my head just looks

forward to getting information the way the Web provides it: with flying particle

motion." He means it as if the Internet and the digital age have brought an

unprecedented amount of distractions and interruptions, which can make it

difficult to focus and contemplate. With the constant flow of information,

notifications and updates, it can be challenging to disconnect and think

deeply or work without interruption. It is important to remember that

technology is a tool and we should use it in a way that enhances our lives and

productivity, not hinders it. There are several strategies you can use to restore

your ability to focus and think, even in the digital age. Use productivity tools:

There are apps and tools that can help you block out distracting websites and

stay focused on your work. Take breaks: It's important to take regular breaks

and get away from your work to recharge your brain and avoid burnout.
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Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness meditation and other mindfulness

practices can help you develop focus and clarity of mind. The rapid growth

and popularity of today's digital age has brought us a wealth of information

and convenience, but also information overload and a constantly changing

social environment. We need to spend more time and effort to filter and

organize this information to ensure that we are getting authentic and reliable

knowledge and information. This also means we need to be more information

literate and capable of processing information to better adapt to the

challenges and opportunities of the digital age.

For the past few years, I've had an ominous feeling that someone, or

something, has been pounding away at my head, redrawing my 'brain map'

and rewriting my 'brain memory,'" Carr said. " He wrote. "My mind hasn't run

away - so far I can say that - but it's changing." This rhetorical device may

come from the information overload and changing social environment brought

on by today's digital age and the growing influence of digital technology and

the Internet. We are faced with an unprecedented amount of information and

stimulation, which can affect our thinking and attention, causing us to feel out

of control of our thoughts and ideas.

Even if the Internet were to replace the publishing house, the results

would be quite different, says Carr. The value of reading a few pages of a

paperback book in depth is not only in the knowledge we learn from the

author's words, but more importantly, in the intelligent resonance that those
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words create in our minds. He uses the rhetorical device of intelligent

resonance, a view that argues that there is an essential difference between

paper books and online reading because the experience of reading paper

books is not just the acquisition of knowledge, but the experience of thinking

and feeling on a deeper level. In paper books, we can quietly read deeply, feel

the author's language and thoughts, and let the words form an intelligent

resonance in our minds. This resonance is an emotional experience that

allows us to connect with the author and feel what they are thinking and

feeling, leading to a deeper understanding of knowledge and ideas. In

contrast, online reading usually focuses more on quick access to information

and lacks the time and space for deep reading and reflection. Moreover, there

is a wide range of information sources on the Web, and different sources may

contradict each other, making it difficult for us to develop coherent thinking

and understanding. However, this does not mean that online reading is not

valuable. Online reading has the advantages of being fast, convenient, and

interactive, allowing us to access information and knowledge more quickly

and to communicate and collaborate with people on a global scale. Internet

reading and paper reading are complementary and each has its own

strengths, and we should choose different reading methods according to

different needs and situations.

Carr concludes that the essence of Kubrick's black prophecy is that

when we rely on the computer as a medium for making sense of the world, it
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becomes our own mind. This statement suggests that as we rely on

computers and other digital technologies to make sense of the world, we

begin to see the world through the lens of those technologies. In a sense, our

perception of reality is shaped by the technology we use, and we begin to see

the world in ways that reflect the limitations and biases of that technology.

Overall, Carr's conclusion is a thought-provoking interpretation of Kubrick's

work that raises important questions about the role of technology in shaping

our perceptions of the world.

Carr, Nicholas. Is Google Making Us Stupid,