Sea of Knowledge

"Once I was a scuba diver in the sea of words. Now I zip along the surface like a guy on a Jet Ski." With that one phrase, Nicholas Carr summarizes his feelings concerning the internet, and the advances of technology. I ran into this phenomenon all night long! I sat down to read this article around 3 or so in the afternoon. . . . . and I just now finished the entire article. The propensity to multi-task and get distracted strikes again. . . . .

However, I wouldn't call this "stupid". . . .simply lazy or distractable. Nicholas Carr never really answers his own question. . . . .he simply states that the internet is changing our thought processes and the way our brain works. Moreso, he has nothing to back up his theory other than personal experience. While personal experience can be a wonderful contribution to an article or paper. . . . . it should never be one's sole support. His logic is a bit fuzzy, but thought-provoking.

While I find his theory interesting, I'm not planning on putting much stock in it. It was an intriguing idea, and it certainly got me thinking about my own habits, which do not mirror Carr's. While I am an exceptional skimmer, I also retain my ability to delve deeply into the sea of knowledge, and it appears as if my classmates retain that ability, as well. Here would be the typical spot to place a crack on the age of the reader. . . . .but I shall refrain. :-D After I read this article, I quickly went back and re-read some of my classmates posts about their internet habits. While many of the entries where surface level, there was the potential for much deeper diving, as well. We all use the internet frequently, yet we obviously are not stupid. We retain the ability to analyze, discuss, and interpret ideas freely.

The fact of the matter remains that the deeper one can dive, the more the opportunity for escape exists. There's an enticing new world that exists, right beyond the barrier of knowledge and not-knowledge. Breach the barrier, and an entirely new life has the potential to open. . . . .and the internet provides the battering ram to breach it.