Carr

Nicholas Carr“Is Google Making Us Stupid?”

Four main claims

1) Media shape our thoughts.2) The new media of the internet and smart phones

aim at efficiency and in this ways they are different qualitatively different from the old media of books.

3) Human intelligence is more than a mechanical process.

4) The internet could make human thought and culture more mechanical/superficial and less reflective/deep.

Analyzing his argument #1:Is it true or false

• Where does he provide evidence?

• How does his evidence compare with our experiences?

• How does his evidence compare with our research?

Analyzing his argument #2: Is it persuasive or unpersuasive?

• Are his logical appeals sound?

• Does his establish his authority on this topic?

• Are his emotional appeals fair?

Analyzing Carr’s Argument

In what ways is Carr’s argument true, false, persuasive, unpersuasive?

Please take notes as we discuss each point in detail.

Claim #1: Media shape our thoughts.

• Evidence: His experience. The experiences of others. Academic studies. Expert opinion.

• Comparison to your experience:

• Comparison to your research:

• Methods of persuasion: Your evaluation.

Claim #2: The new media aim at efficiency and are different from books.

• Evidence: 1) Nietzsche’s writing “from arguments to aphorisms” b/c of typewriter. 2) The effects of the clock on our appetites. 3) Taylor and scientific management of Midvale Steel.

• Comparison to your experience:

• Comparison to your research:

• Methods of persuasion: Your evaluation.

Claim #3 Human intelligence is more than a mechanical process.

• Evidence: ?

• Comparison to your experience:

• Comparison to your research:

• Methods of persuasion: Your evaluation.

The internet makes human thought/culture mechanical/superficial not reflective/deep.

• Evidence: Playwright Richard Foreman.

• Comparison to your experience:

• Comparison to your research:

• Methods of persuasion: Your evaluation.

Overall analysis:

Question for discussion:

In what ways is Carr’s argument true, false, persuasive, unpersuasive?