Back Tracking

Nicole VanKuilenburg

4/09/12

            So it's clear to see that I am very new to this whole blogging thing, and that is my own fault. When starting off this class, we found out that we not only had to read this book The Shallows, but blog about it as well. I was quite frustrated. The first chapter I read was extremely painful and I dismissed all the points Carr made because I though that they were absolutely absurd. So instead of sucking it up and just writing the blog entries, I let it sit on the back burner. I procrastinated more and more until today when I realized that it needed to get done. As somewhat boring I think this book is, it has done its job to make me question certain things. What is the internet doing to our brains?

            School work is clearly the most important thing especially when you are in college and you are paying money to go here. In order to stay organized and on top of things, there needs to be a certain balance between your free time and you work time. No one thinks that social media and technology are going to make that balance difficult. Most people don't consider usage of technology "free time", but it absorbs most of it without us even realizing it. I am one of their victims. It starts off with small amounts of internet usage just to check your facebook status or post a funny tweet. Slowly but surely, it has consumed you.

            I have been so consumed with my internet usage, that I totally disregarded all the points Carr was trying to make. I still don't agree with some of what he says, but in this aspect he was right. I didn't even realize what he was saying until it was 3 months into the course and I still had yet to post on the blog.

            Recently, I have come to find that my new iPhone has stolen most of my time. Now that phones have the same capabilities as computers, I find myself rarely even using my laptop, except when I need to write a paper or do long amounts of research. I have never been one to envelope myself with multiple social media sites, besides facebook. After getting this iPhone, things are completely different. I have noticed that I go on my phone every minute that I have free and even more so when I am bored. I constantly checking facebook on my phone, Alan from the Hangover on Twitter, and upcoming concert dates as well. The entire World Wide Web is in the palm of my hands and I want to take advantage of everything it has to offer.

            This is probably the reason that I get behind on certain things, like for example, blog posting. I can't put all the blame on the internet, but my own laziness as well. Sometimes when I have to write a paper I tell myself that once I finish a few paragraphs, I can go on facebook for a few minutes. Well now that I have facebook on my phone there is no motivation to even start that paper, considering that facebook is attached to me at all times now, due to this phone.

           In conclusion, I realize now that just because the internet has endless possibilities on how to access it, doesn't mean that I should. I need to regain focus on what is really important, and that does not include facebook updates. Instead of going on facebook today, I'm going to start studying for the exams I have coming up. Hopefully, it will make a difference.