Such changes are evident due to the approaches to communication that the world is using. The invention and evolution of computers and mobile telephones, as well as other technologies connected with them, have changed the ways of the world’s operation and the manner in which people interact. During the last century, the world has experienced massive changes in the technologies regarding the ways of how communication occurs; consequently, such changes enhanced the attempts to determine the effect, which may be positive or negative, caused by them on the people’s behaviors. For instance, there are issues concerning the use of Google that negatively impacts a person’s thinking capacity as well as texting that affects the way the person writes. The people who have grown being used to the new technologies would probably prefer the further use of them because of their convenience; however, such technologies would affect their behavior, meanwhile having no influence on the people unaccustomed to them.

Is Google Making Us Stupid?

In the article “Is Google Making Us Stupid?” Carr attempts to explain how the information presented on the internet has transformed the manner in which people think. The author applies various approaches to identifying such influence and focus on the emotions of the audience. Carr uses anecdotes, researches, and personal observations in the article, with the aim to convince the audience that the Internet is detrimental to the way in which people think and study (Carr, 2015). The article begins with a quote from Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey that represents talking about the manner in which human beings are rewiring computers and proceeds to parallel the argument with how computers have rewired the way of brains’ work (Carr, 2015). The author introduces personal opinion in most of the interview essay article and supports it with the statement concerning his friends who have also echoed his sentiments. Hence, the author states that since his first use of the Internet, his mind has become considerably erratic. Also, he indicates his frequent fidgety and loss of the thread of his thoughts; in such cases, he has had to look for an alternative thing to do (Carr, 2015). Furthermore, the article highlights that a wide range of information has become available for today’s people who thus consume more of it. In order to emphasize the increased level of information consumption, Carr insists that hyperlinks aim to propel an individual towards them, instead of only serving a reader as the access towards certain and necessary information.

Although, there is the heavy use of anecdotes and personal observations throughout the article; also, the author proceeds to include the scientific research into the arguments presented in the article. From the researchers, it becomes evident that the users of various popular websites read through the online platforms beyond the traditional sense (Carr, 2015). Also, they conclude that there is the emergence of new forms of reading which can allow the users to browse the contents by skimming the titles, abstracts, and content pages in order to get quick details. In their conclusion, the users appear to be visiting the online sites with the aim to avoid reading in its traditional sense. In an attempt to explain is the reasons for the case, the author states that the human brain is pliable (Carr, 2015). Carr introduces the concept of intellectual technologies, where he explains the possibility that human beings may embody the technologies that they possess. Furthermore, he uses the mechanical clock in his explanations and claims that it has provided the assistance in the creation of strong belief in the mathematically measurable sequence. Even so, people made use of it in order to make powerful dichotomy on numerous issues, such as eating, sleeping, waking, and working, dependent on it. The people ceased making use of their senses and obeying the clock (Carr, 2015). Furthermore, he states that the creators of Google have admitted their desire to achieve something that can be as smart as people or even smarter than them (Carr, 2015). The author concludes by stating that when people allow the computers to mediate their comprehension of the world, it is their intelligence that reduces to the artificial intelligence.

Does Texting Affect Writing?

In the article “Does Texting Affect Writing?” the author discusses how texting can affect people’s writing skills. Cullington presents arguments that support both sides indicating those who agree and those who disagree. Furthermore, she reveals that the people who make use of texting no longer use whole words in their conversations in order to make the points that they raise easier to read (Cullington, 2015). The author explains how much texting has become normal in the modern lives; meanwhile, besides the teenagers who are more prone to use it, the business people also find it effective in their attempts to faster conversations that thus contribute to time management. Nonetheless, the author indicates that there are concerns raised by different people, including parents, teachers, and doctors, that texting could negatively impact the children’s abilities to write (Cullington, 2015). The argument is that the increased use of abbreviations in informal texting has led to its emergence witnessed in the formal communications of the students (Cullington, 2015). Additionally, the author argues that the students lack the capability of expressing their emotions through writing that is the consequence of the fact that the texts sent by them are usually excessively simple and brief.

Also, the author describes the research presented by a questioner and based on the analysis of the survey conducted on her school friends as well as some of the English teachers. She asks when they have begun texting and how often they have been doing it. She proceeds to ask whether they notice the increase in their use of abbreviations and determine the effect which may be positive or negative (Cullington, 2015). As for the students, the analysis shows that they know when to make use of them, keep them out of the formal conversations, as well as being able to notice them used in the communication. On the other hand, the teachers witness no problems with the use of abbreviations as long as they remain the students to be formal and avoid the use of abbreviations in an official communication (Cullington, 2015). The author also presents the views of the people who believe that texting has a positive influence. She states that from the research conducted, texting pose a positive effect in terms that it assists the individuals to convey their messages using only a few words and thus allows improving the confidence and creativity of such individuals (Cullington, 2015). There were also arguments indicating that with the use of abbreviations the teenagers gain the opportunity to develop a new language of communication.

Conclusion: Personal Response

Each of the two authors presents the issues related to the use of modern technology and its impact on people’s behavior. Carr (2015) reveals various arguments regarding the effects caused by Google on the individuals’ capacity for thinking. Nonetheless, I consider that the arguments suggested by the author show weak connection established with the main issue. There were numerous instances where the author made use of his personal opinion when making arguments without proper backing and support throughout the research. For instance, even though Carr states that some of his friends agree with his opinions, he avoids mentioning them by name; consequently, it invalidates the strength of his argumentation on his views described in the article.

However, the tone of the article sways the reader towards the author’s opinion that Google has a negative impact on the thinking capacity. I agree with the author that the increased amount of easily accessible information has strongly affected the ways in which people think. Thus, people can access all the information that they need by making a few clicks or taps. Nonetheless, the issue may cause the positive influence as well because of ensuring the constant access to the information that allows people to make complex decisions quicker due to the improved ability of its acquiring and thus act upon it without delay.

On the one hand, Cullington’s (2015) argument about texting is also significantly relevant to the contemporary world. The use of mobile phones and the increased access to numerous texting applications mean that people have access to multiple text-based channels of communication. Therefore, the people have to make the necessary adjustments to their way of dealing with different issues in order to fit into the use of such channels that serve for the idea of sending quick and brief communications, proven to be highly reliable. On the other hand, there is the argument that it makes a profound impact on people’s writing skills. As the author discovers throughout the research, the parties involved have found the ways of preventing the use of informal communication in official communications. I agree that texting could have an adverse effect on the quality of writing; however, considering the fact that a human brain can improve its activity through training, it is possible to make a choice and train the mind on how to write formally and informally. I believe that as well as a person learns different languages and can choose how to use them, the texting with its extensive use of abbreviation could also be the identifier of the evolution of a new language. Texting could affect the way of formal communication between the people; however, once the brain begins to appreciate it as an informal language, it will act as it is necessary during formal communication. In my opinion, our language evolves over time and thus requires accepting the appropriate changes.