"Getting Smarter" by Jamais Cascio

Summary:

In this article, Cascio defends the argument that technology is actually making us smarter. He brings up some of Carr's ideas and backs up some opposing points. He agrees with Carr in that our attention span is deteriorating, but says that there is medication available for it. he also says that we are meant to be able to quickly adapt to our surroundings. He discusses how in the past our brains had to change in order to adapt to new inventions such as speech. This is the same thing that we are seeing now. Our brains are changing as new technologies emerge. He concludes by talking about robots and other sci-fi ideas which could or could not be a part of our future.

Reaction:

I agree with Cascio's article because we are getting smarter. our brains are developing and our learning is changing to adapt to our new surroundings just like we have done in the past. I personally have always had ADD, even before the internet days. I find it very useful actually! I am able to do many things at once and I am able to adapt easily to change. Another huge reason why I must agree with Cascio is because I see the effects of technology on the new generation on a daily basis. I have to young sons who have only known the internet, cell phones, and video games through their life. I can compare them to me experiences growing up without all these technologies. I know for a fact that I would not have been able to play some of the video games they play. I can't even play them now! The problem solving abilities that they demand in order to pass each level! It encourages them to read and many more developmental activities. I agree with Carr that we are learning differently and as they both say our brain is changing, but is change necessarily a bad thing?

Tie In:

Carr and Cascio both talk about our brains changing because we are learning differently. Humans have done so from the beginning of time and will continue to develop and re-develop according to our surroundings and our different needs. They both also discuss the toll that technology has had on our attention span. Carr says that he can no longer immerse himself into a book like he used to before all the different distractions around him existed. Cascio on the other hand says that yes we have short attention spans, but thanks to technology we have the cure for this problem. He calls this a form of "self induced ADD." He also points out that it is normal and necessary for us to be able to go quickly from one thing to another.