Born Digital Directed Response (Essay Sample)

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Born Digital Directed Response
Introduction
Reactions in relation to technology differ. While some of the people consider them as a critical tool to humankind, there is a group that would rather perform tasks in the same way people used to before the invention of technology especially computers. There are those like Nicholas Carr, the author of “The Shallows” who believe that performing tasks digitally has negative effects. Reading through the book, one feels that Nicholas takes on the issue of the digital world may have been fueled by the fact that he was not born in the world of computers. It may be the reason Carr evaluates the various issues surrounding continuous reliance on digital technology.
The ones born into the digital world (digital natives) or those with a huge interaction with the same from an early age (digital settlers) may not share the same sentiments as Carr. Digitization is a necessary tool in their day to day life and could not have come at a better time. The document will evaluate the issue of learning and brain structure as highlighted in the book and as explained in the video lecture to show the relation between this aspect and the current trends in digitization with the continuation of the same being encouraged.
Discussion
The way learning takes place as explained in Nicholas Carr’s book is in such a way that the brain keeps on adapting and changing. The use of digital technology is one area that demands that the brain be at its best when it comes to adopting new technology. With each and every invention, humans have to train themselves to adopt the new technology and utilize it to the maximum. Individuals such as Carr have the view that this is a disadvantage and is the reason there is an uncontrolled shift from one aspect to the other, especially in the current society. There are always new concepts being discovered which promotes the reduction in the levels of retention in the brain, thus affecting us negatively (COM 200 Communication Media in a Changing World).
While it may be the case, the discovery and use of new digital concepts should not be shunned but appreciated. A good example is the current trend of the invention and utilization of applications in computers and other digital gadgets that are useful in the day to day activities. Such include the WhatsApp application. With this tool, though one is required to adopt and know how to utilize it as with any other technology, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. WhatsApp is a tool that has improved the way people communicate all around the world. With the current rate of globalization, it is not unusual to find families and other social groups separated. With this tool, all it takes is a gadget that is capable of supporting the technology and the barrier is overcome with no incurred costs. If people relied on the old means to communicate as in the early days so as to preserve the aspect of not feeding the brain with too much digital material then, humanity would still be suffering in terms of communication.
The invention of this application and many more that have shaped and assisted humanity in various areas such as security cannot be undermined.If all it will take to solve problems in the society is a little easier to acquire from of learning, then this is a supportable course. The impact of such programs is also global thus beneficial to the society.
The retention aspect of the brain which Carr considers to be affected with the invention and use of digital tools is not correct. The demand for one to learn something new with the invention of such applications include such challenges as knowing the tools usage, the effects on working and learning practices and the functional capabilities. Such is a plus as far as the brain is concerned as it means constant learning. One has to keep up to date instead of relying on the old ways and means to accomplish tasks. What it means is that as an individual, there is an appreciation of the advantages offered by being in the digital world, thus more support of anything that sprouts from this area (COM 200 Communication Media in a Changing World).
As explained in the review of chapter nine in the video lectures,the current generation’s mind is no longer in a position to efficiently store information (COM 200 Communication Media in a Changing World). The introduction of calculators as explained in the ...