Although the title of the article is "Is Google Making Us Stupid?," the words "What the Internet is doing to our brains" directly under the title tell us what this article is really about. This article claims that the Internet is affecting us in several unsuspecting ways. It is making us read less and also lazily. The Internet is even changing the way we think.
There was a point in our lives where some people could read really long articles or tons of books without any problems. Now, they find themselves losing concentration, fidgeting, and skimming anything that is more than a few paragraphs. This is because of the affect the Internet is having on our brains. Sometimes people stop reading books all together and only use the Internet simply because it is more convenient. Also, there was a time when people had to spend hours in the library going through several books just to get research done. Now the Internet allows one to find that same information in a few seconds.
The Internet is very useful and extremely convenient, but unfortunately, it is changing the way we think. It is unfortunate because it is making us become decoders of information. We are not thinking as deeply into the things we read as we used to. Which can make us less innovative, creative, and it also makes of lose the complexity of our thinking. When used in the article "Is Google Making Us Stupid? as well as "Socrates Nightmare" the word "illiterate" is used to describe a particular way of thinking. In addition to those things, the Internet is also making us illiterate.
The claims made in this article are backed up by friends, professionals, and also written sources from the past. He mentions the research of the 1960's media theorist Marshall McLuhan as well as Maryanne Wolf, a developmental psychologist. All of the evidence used in the article "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" is very effective and some even tells us the answer to the "so what?" question. There are two answers to this question in this article:
"It is clear that users are not reading online in the traditional sense; indeed there are signs that new forms of “reading” are emerging as users “power browse” horizontally through titles, contents pages and abstracts going for quick wins. It almost seems that they go online to avoid reading in the traditional sense."
“What if I do all my reading on the web not so much because the way I read has changed, i.e. I’m just seeking convenience, but because the way I THINK has changed?”
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
@NickiMinaj
Although Nicki Minaj is portrayed as a stuck up, rude, self centered human being in media her instagram account begs to differ. You may have heard many rumors and seen many videos of Nicki Minaj's wild behavior but what if you didn't? What if you only saw Nicki Minaj's instagram account? Nicki Minaj uses her instagram like the average person in some ways. These ways include entertaining, showing off, and sharing "selfies". Some of her instagram posts may lead people to believe that she is friendly, humble, and loving while others portray her as a self proclaimed sex symbol, sarcastic, and her own number one fan.
Nicki Minaj uses her instagram to entertain, show off, and share selfies. She entertains her followers by posting funny and relatable pictures. These posts include pictures about things people do or should do in many different situations. There is a post of Johnny Depp that reads, "If you love two people at the same time, chose the second one, because if you really loved the first one you wouldn't have fallen for the second." and in her caption she asks for her followers opinion of this. Posts such as these may make people forget that she is a celebrity or make them realize that even though she is a celebrity she is still just like everybody else.
Almost everyone uses instagram to show off and let the world know how wonderful their life is. Nicki Minaj definitely does this and she does it quite often. There are many posts of her awards, her luxurious possessions, and her amazing body. Nicki Minaj shows off in a way that suggests that the things she is flaunting is not even a big deal. The fact that she is not stressing how great her things are shows that she is used to such luxuries. For example, there is a post of Nicki Minaj's large estate with a nice foreign car parked outside. Her caption simply says "No place like #Home". Also, the world as well as Nicki Minaj knows how popular her figure is. She posted a picture of herself poolside in a bikini and the caption reads "Have a nice day" as if she did not notice how good she looked. Nicki Minaj shows off without making it obvious which is what most people try to do but usually fail.
Every now and then Nicki Minaj posts photos and videos with her friends, family, and idols. These posts show her having fun and behaving as a normal and loving person would. The media makes it seem like Nicki Minaj is one of those stuck up celebrities that would have that "I don't take pictures", "Get these children away from me", or "I am better than everyone else" mentality. Her instagram account begs to differ. She is shown hanging out with her friends and playing with little children. Most of her friends appear to be normal people and she makes videos having fun with little children. Nicki Minaj also posted a video of two normal girls dancing in the street. In the background of this video you can hear her saying "wow" and "that's amazing" which lets people know that she does not think she is the best because she can still be impressed.
Although all those things are true about her instgram account she remains true to her rapper identity on instagram as well. She shows how successful she is, promotes her music and products, and shows how great her lifestyle is. She also posts pictures with captions that are quotations from her songs. There is a post of Nicki Minaj racing her shadow which suggests that she is her own competition. She says things related to this in several of her songs. In one song she says "Competition, why yes I would love some".
Nicki Minaj's instagram account shows Onika Maraj as well as her alter ego Nicki Minaj. She posts photos and videos of her family and friends and sometimes seems like a normal person. She also shows off her lifestyle and promotes her music and products. Though all of this is true, Nicki Minaj's instagram account contradicts the way the media portrays her and gives audiences a better idea of who she really is.
Nicki Minaj uses her instagram to entertain, show off, and share selfies. She entertains her followers by posting funny and relatable pictures. These posts include pictures about things people do or should do in many different situations. There is a post of Johnny Depp that reads, "If you love two people at the same time, chose the second one, because if you really loved the first one you wouldn't have fallen for the second." and in her caption she asks for her followers opinion of this. Posts such as these may make people forget that she is a celebrity or make them realize that even though she is a celebrity she is still just like everybody else.
Almost everyone uses instagram to show off and let the world know how wonderful their life is. Nicki Minaj definitely does this and she does it quite often. There are many posts of her awards, her luxurious possessions, and her amazing body. Nicki Minaj shows off in a way that suggests that the things she is flaunting is not even a big deal. The fact that she is not stressing how great her things are shows that she is used to such luxuries. For example, there is a post of Nicki Minaj's large estate with a nice foreign car parked outside. Her caption simply says "No place like #Home". Also, the world as well as Nicki Minaj knows how popular her figure is. She posted a picture of herself poolside in a bikini and the caption reads "Have a nice day" as if she did not notice how good she looked. Nicki Minaj shows off without making it obvious which is what most people try to do but usually fail.
Every now and then Nicki Minaj posts photos and videos with her friends, family, and idols. These posts show her having fun and behaving as a normal and loving person would. The media makes it seem like Nicki Minaj is one of those stuck up celebrities that would have that "I don't take pictures", "Get these children away from me", or "I am better than everyone else" mentality. Her instagram account begs to differ. She is shown hanging out with her friends and playing with little children. Most of her friends appear to be normal people and she makes videos having fun with little children. Nicki Minaj also posted a video of two normal girls dancing in the street. In the background of this video you can hear her saying "wow" and "that's amazing" which lets people know that she does not think she is the best because she can still be impressed.
Although all those things are true about her instgram account she remains true to her rapper identity on instagram as well. She shows how successful she is, promotes her music and products, and shows how great her lifestyle is. She also posts pictures with captions that are quotations from her songs. There is a post of Nicki Minaj racing her shadow which suggests that she is her own competition. She says things related to this in several of her songs. In one song she says "Competition, why yes I would love some".
Nicki Minaj's instagram account shows Onika Maraj as well as her alter ego Nicki Minaj. She posts photos and videos of her family and friends and sometimes seems like a normal person. She also shows off her lifestyle and promotes her music and products. Though all of this is true, Nicki Minaj's instagram account contradicts the way the media portrays her and gives audiences a better idea of who she really is.
Monday, October 7, 2013
Beautiful Tattoo
It has been said that your social media life is as permanent as a tattoo. Everything someone posts on social media sites will be there forever and anyone can see them. When I say anyone I mean employers, teachers, parents, pastors, friends, family, ANYONE. This may seem like a bad thing to most people but not to me.
My Facebook page says a lot about me. Posts such as "Walk with me Lord" and "An incredible God deserves incredible praise!" lets people know that I am very religious. I have a great relationship with God and I thank and acknowledge him for the many things he does for me. I also have many posts of me at church with family as well as friends. This says that not only am I "talking the talk" but I am also "walking the walk". I do not post statuses about God or my religion just to look good. God is number one in my life and that is reflected on my Facebook page.
Other status posts such as "I miss Muh and PawPaw :(" shows people that I am a very family oriented person. There are many pictures of me smiling with my family and enjoying family events. "Me and my PawPaw was matching at church tonight, I put a big smile on his face but he still wouldn't let me kiss him! Lol smh, I love this man so much!!!!!" This shows just how much my family means to me. The amount of exclamation points at the end stresses how much I really love my grandfather. This particular posts also shows that not only am I religious, but my family is as well. I think this can also give people an idea of how I was raised.
"I've been doing homework since Wednesday, guess that's what imma be doing for the weekend too. Trying to make all A's :)" This posts shows others that I am a very determined and hard working person. I sacrificed my weekend in order to work towards my goals. The smiley face emoticon at the end says that I do not mind working hard if it helps me reach my goals. While others may complain or pout about having weekend homework, I had a smile on my face because I knew how much it would benefit me in the long run. This posts also lets people know that when I set goals I set them high and I do what I have to do to reach them.
Social media posts can change a person's life for the better or worse. In my opinion, my posts are good and they truly reflect who I really am. If they change my life it probably will be a good change. I do not feel pressured to act a certain way on social media sites but I know not to posts things when I am angry or sad. Those feelings can lead to misleading and embarrassing posts. Just like any other posts those posts are as permanent as tattoos and no one wants ugly tattoos.
My Facebook posts are a very accurate representation of who I am. If they are as permanent as tattoos then they are beautiful tattoos and I am very proud of them. I do not mind if my pastor, family, friends, employer, teachers, or potential employer sees them. My posts may not affect my chances of getting a job but if they do they will probably work in my favor. I believe this because my posts show that I am family oriented, have a good relationship with God, hard working, dedicated, and determined.
My Facebook page says a lot about me. Posts such as "Walk with me Lord" and "An incredible God deserves incredible praise!" lets people know that I am very religious. I have a great relationship with God and I thank and acknowledge him for the many things he does for me. I also have many posts of me at church with family as well as friends. This says that not only am I "talking the talk" but I am also "walking the walk". I do not post statuses about God or my religion just to look good. God is number one in my life and that is reflected on my Facebook page.
Other status posts such as "I miss Muh and PawPaw :(" shows people that I am a very family oriented person. There are many pictures of me smiling with my family and enjoying family events. "Me and my PawPaw was matching at church tonight, I put a big smile on his face but he still wouldn't let me kiss him! Lol smh, I love this man so much!!!!!" This shows just how much my family means to me. The amount of exclamation points at the end stresses how much I really love my grandfather. This particular posts also shows that not only am I religious, but my family is as well. I think this can also give people an idea of how I was raised.
"I've been doing homework since Wednesday, guess that's what imma be doing for the weekend too. Trying to make all A's :)" This posts shows others that I am a very determined and hard working person. I sacrificed my weekend in order to work towards my goals. The smiley face emoticon at the end says that I do not mind working hard if it helps me reach my goals. While others may complain or pout about having weekend homework, I had a smile on my face because I knew how much it would benefit me in the long run. This posts also lets people know that when I set goals I set them high and I do what I have to do to reach them.
Social media posts can change a person's life for the better or worse. In my opinion, my posts are good and they truly reflect who I really am. If they change my life it probably will be a good change. I do not feel pressured to act a certain way on social media sites but I know not to posts things when I am angry or sad. Those feelings can lead to misleading and embarrassing posts. Just like any other posts those posts are as permanent as tattoos and no one wants ugly tattoos.
My Facebook posts are a very accurate representation of who I am. If they are as permanent as tattoos then they are beautiful tattoos and I am very proud of them. I do not mind if my pastor, family, friends, employer, teachers, or potential employer sees them. My posts may not affect my chances of getting a job but if they do they will probably work in my favor. I believe this because my posts show that I am family oriented, have a good relationship with God, hard working, dedicated, and determined.
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