Point taken: Google is making me stupid

Is Google making me stupid? Before reading the articles my answer to the question was no. But now after reading both articles, I have changed my answer to yes. Yes, Google is personally making me stupid. How? Well, to begin with, let's discuss the wonderful app called Trivia Crack. Trivia Crack is addicting. Why? Well, because I want to feel smart and win my opponent. It’s my mission in life as soon as I open that stupid app. So, when I start to lose to the opponent, I pull up Google on my browser. Yes, I willing admit that I cheat at Trivia Crack. As soon as the question pops up on my cell, I type the question into my browser and Ta Da! I have the answer. I don't even have to click on any links. It's just right there for the taking. By the time I win the round, I have absolutely no recollection of the questions or answers. Why? Because I looked at them for maybe a few seconds and then deleted them. Google is making me stupid. 

Last semester, I started an upper division English course on Theory and Ethics. My teacher surprised me when she said that she preferred us to not use our tablets or eReaders for her course. I was quite frankly appalled. I mean, she was maybe in her late thirty's. She clearly knew how to use a computer and she didn't want me to use technology in her class? What the hell?! But I actually understand why now.  Carr says it best in his article (pg.9), "The kind of deep reading that a sequence of printed pages promotes is valuable not just for the knowledge we acquire from the author’s words but for the intellectual vibrations those words set off within our own minds. In the quiet spaces opened up by the sustained, undistracted reading of a book, or by any other act of contemplation, for that matter, we make our own as associations, draw our own inferences and analogies, foster our own ideas. Deep reading, as Maryanne Wolf argues, is indistinguishable from deep thinking."

My teacher actually understood something that I didn't. Reading her difficult course material on paper would only benefit me. I would be able to enter into a deep reading stage. I wouldn't be tempted to be distracted. I would be able to not only focus on the material but I would foster an environment to make associations and create understanding of the material. That material was really difficult. I disliked it very much. Worst part? I have to start the class all over again. (I dropped out that semester because I shattered my leg). But at least I won't put up a fit about not using my eReader next time! She actually had the right idea to begin with. 

Another observation that I made while reading these articles was that I now understand why I get so distracted. I have a hard time focusing. I used to think I was a multitasker, but I don't think that's true anymore. I also understand why reading has become more difficult for me. For my YA Lit class this semester, I have to read 3000 pages total. 3000! I haven't read that much in a LONG time. I used to LOVE reading when I was younger. I always had several books in my backpack. I used to spend hours inside just reading. I even would read out loud and use different voices for the characters. I was deep reading and didn't realize it. Then, when college came around, I was forced to read so much material that I started my skimming skills. I have become really good at skim. Which isn't good at all. I actually struggled the first page of this article. I kept thinking about doing other things. I also checked my phone several times. I now feel stupid. Point taken Carr: Google is making me stupid.