Emergent Media

Hathcock

Names: Dallas Miller-Fee and Noah

Date:

Paired Informational Texts:

Working with Evidence
Thematic Question - Is Technology Making Us More or Less Intelligent?
Directions
As a culminating activity, youll be challenged to take a position regarding the question, Is
technology making us more or less intelligent? In order to defend your position, you'll be asked
to make reference to evidence presented in either or both of the articles with which were
working today. Use this exercise to help prepare your argument and its defense.
Article #1: The Defense of Computers, the Internet and Our Brains by Nick Bilton
Which argument did you find most convincing? Restate the argument here. Analyze and explain
what made this argument especially effective: Steven Pinkers argument is the most convincing.
His argument states that changes in the brains form are natural and have occurred many times in
the past.
Which argument did you find least convincing? Restate the argument here. Analyze and explain
why the argument failed to win you over: Maryanne Wolfs argument is the least convincing. She
never states any reason as to why she believes the internet is dangerous for the mental
development of the youth. She then proceeds to say that there arent any things wrong with our
brains changing or with the use of the internet.
Article #2: Is Google Making Us Stupid? What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains by
Nicholas Carr
Which argument did you find most convincing? Restate the argument here. Analyze and explain
what makes this argument especially effective: Nicholas Carrs argument is the most
convincing. His argument states that the internet is making us shallow thinkers. By taking part in
the constant barrage of information, you are never allowed to think on a higher level.
Which argument did you find least convincing? Restate the argument here. Analyze and explain
why the argument failed to win you over: Bruce Friedmans argument, because all he really says
is that since hes been on the internet hes lost the ability to concentrate on reading for long
periods of time. Hes also completely lost his ability to read and form proper sentences.
I wanna be da big dinosaur. I luv appojews.-Bruce Friedman 1992-2015
Lets give a hand to our big boy Bruce
God bless his heart and brain.
Looks like Friedman has fried his brain
(This is a joke; we couldnt find any arguments other than Carrs)