Nicholas Carr – Is Google Making Us Stupid?

Carr, Nicholas. “Is Google Making Us Stupid.” The Atlantic. July/August 2008. Web. http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2008/07/is-google-making-us-stupid/6868/

Shirky, Clay. “Why Abundance is Good: A Reply to Nick Carr.” Britannica Blog. 17 July 2008. Web. http://www.britannica.com/blogs/2008/07/why-abundance-is-good-a-reply-to-nick-carr/

Carr, Nicholas. “Why Skepticism is Good.” Britannica Blog. 17 July 2008. Web. http://www.britannica.com/blogs/2008/07/why-skepticism-is-good-my-reply-to-clay-shirky/

Rich, Moto. “Literacy Debate: Online R U Really Reading.” New York Times. 27 July 2008. Web. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/27/arts/27iht-27reading.14806779.html

I assign these articles to introduce students to questions about how media technologies affect human minds and perception.  These articles use vivid examples, and they are well-written for undergraduates.  I also use these readings to discuss technophobia, technophilia, and debates about skeptical and optimistic attitudes towards new technologies.

Here is a set of questions I pose for students to work on in small groups then share with the whole class:

Day 2 Discussion – New Media Literacy Questions – Final Class Version