Extra Credit Assignment

1. Why does the author, Nicholas Carr, feel like his mind is changing as a result of the Internet?

A- Carr feels that the internet is making him, and society as a whole, not as smart as they would be without the internet.

2. How does doing research today compare with doing research in a library in the old days, before the Internet? (I know you weren't around 20 years ago, but answer this based on what knowledge you have gathered about libraries in your lifetime).

A-Now people can just look up anything they want on the internet and everything is simpler. Research in the old days required more work.

3. How have Nicholas Carr's reading habits changed because of the Internet?

A- He doesn't read literature at the same level he did before the internet became popular.

4. How is reading online different than reading a long article or book? Is there a difference? Explain.

A- Reading on the internet is different because it is a modified version of something you'd read in an article.

5. Do you agree or disagree that our minds think like computers? Explain.

A- I agree that our minds think like computers because they are very fast pace and can hold a lot of knowledge but I also think it's situational, and depends on the person.

6. Do you agree or disagree that the computer "is subsuming most of our other intellectual technologies?"

A- I agree with this statement because I feel that people are taking advantage of technology, the internet specifically, and this is absorbing our intellectual knowledge.

7. Why do you think The New York Times changed its format? Do you think it was a good idea or a bad idea? Why?

A- I think the New York Times changed its format to keep up with the technological era and keep its audiences interested in reading, as opposed to reading it online.

8. What does Nicholas Carr mean by "knowledge work?"

A- Knowledge work is a job that requires the workers to be knowledgeable.

9. Do you agree or disagree that Google has been successful in its mission "to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful?"

A- I agree with this statement because I feel that google is a very resourceful tool our generation has.

10. How does Google's mission compare with a library's mission in light of the fact that there is no fiction or nonfiction section on the Internet, but there is a fiction and a nonfiction section in a library, and that all the books are organized on the shelves in a library, but "scattered on the floor" of the Internet?

A- On the internet, you don't know if what you're reading is reliable or not, but in a library you know more of a back ground of what you're reading.

11. Do you think it would be a good thing if your own brain and intelligence were "supplemented, or even replaced, by an artificial intelligence?"

A- I do not think so because I feel that that is unnatural and technology should be a tool to help us, it should not MAKE us!

12. Do you think that the human brain is "just an outdated computer that needs a faster processor and a bigger hard drive?" Why or why not?

A- I do not think this is true because if humans created the concept of the internet, and designed how to use it... we're already one step ahead. I do feel that humans take advantage of this tool though.

13. What do you think about your own surfing habits, the links you click on and the pages you view, being an opportunity for "Google and other companies to collect information about you and to feed you advertisements?"

A- I feel like depending on what you search does have a reflection on who you are, but sometimes it doesn't. This is situational, are really depends on what you're using the internet for. (Ex: to look up tutorials may reflect someone personally, but to look up an article for homework may not.)

14. How does the above compare to reading a book? Do you agree or disagree that companies online, collecting data about us by what we click on and view, are using subversive tactics to discourage "leisurely reading," and "slow, concentrated thought?" Are you yourself driven to distraction while on the Web? How or how not?

A- I feel that companies purposely try to distract you or lore you towards their company on the internet by having pop-ups and advertisements.


15. Do you agree with Socrates that the development of writing led to people using the written word as a substitute for the knowledge they carried around in their heads? Why or why not?


A- I do not agree with this statement. I feel that the Socrates used writing as a tool and a way to communicate and unify critical thoughts that may benefit their society.

16. Do you think the Internet is doing the same thing? Why or why not? How or how not?

A-I feel that resourceful engines and social networking sites on the internet are, if you do not over use it.

17. How do your own reading habits compare to what Nicholas Carr describes in this article?

A-I like to read the news paper and magazines because I feel that the information from there is more reliable and truthful than what you might find on the internet.

18. So, do you think Google really is making us stupid? Why or why not? How or how not?

A- I do not think that google is making us stupid, I just think that it's making us lazy.

"You Can Look It Up: The Wikipedia Story" Questions

The Mosaic browser did not give users the ability to edit the Web pages they were viewing. It turned Web surfers into passive consumers of published content.

They both are places you can go to read pieces of literature.

It was too confusing to operate.

It was very informative.

By providing me with information.

Having unreliable information.

It offered reliable sources.

Is the process of obtaining needed services, ideas, or content by soliciting contributions from a large group of people, and especially from an online community, rather than from traditional employees or suppliers.

I think this isn't true and that's people shouldn't believe everything they see on the internet.

I do not think this is a good thing, because people rely on these sources.

Because a lot of people were looking for informative sources.

I think it was looking at Wikipedia in a bad way. 

Nothing.

I agree with this quote that when many people come together and cooperate with one another, it's easier to be successful.

With the best intentions of the community.

Because it has the largest collection of information on the web.

I agree because I find Wikipedia very helpful.

What does the author mean by “wiki-crack?”

Yes.

Yes depending on how well they are educated. 

I would want their back ground information on their education.

It would be helpful for all humans to understand human development in other parts of the world.

I agree.

Yes.

I do not agree.

Depends on what the paper was on.

No, because I don't want the responsibility of people depending on me.