The Numbing Effect

In the tenth chapter of Carr’s book he describes the “numbing effect” (210) that technology has on human beings. He feels as though “the toll can be particularly high with our intellectual technologies. The tools of the human mind amplify and in turn numb the most intimate, the most human of our natural capacities- those for reason, perception, memory, emotion” (211). Carr is trying to say that the more technology we use limits our innate abilities to reason, perceive, remember and feel. He is trying to convey that the more we use technology the less we practice the skills that make us human.

I would have to agree with Carr. The creation of the Internet and cell phones has also interrupted our ability to reason. Instead of thinking a problem through or asking friends for advice many teens will consult the Internet for answers. Cell phones have interrupted our ability to reason because we often say things without thinking before sending them. Many people find that if they fight through texting the fight becomes even worse because they say things that they didn’t mean to say.

I feel as though technology affects our memories in a negative way because we no longer have to rely on ourselves to remember appointments or important dates. The majority of the people in the world have a cell phone and in cell phones there are alarms and calendars. When an appointment is made people immediately save it to the calendar on their phones or set an alarm as a reminder. This limits inhibits our memory because we no longer have to rely on ourselves but trust that our phones won’t malfunction and will keep track of our appointments and important dates for us.

Our perception is also changed by technology. Before there were clocks our bodies we accustomed to waking up when the sun came and going to bed when it went down. When we were hungry we would eat and when we weren’t we wouldn’t. With the invention of the clock we are expected to be on time almost anywhere we go. When it is time for dinner we eat regardless of if we’re actually hungry or not. This changes our perception because there is no one actually demanding that we have to do everything in such a structured manner except for society.

Our emotions are also effected by our current technology. Since everything in our culture is instantaneous we often get aggravated when things take a little bit longer than expected. Many people get aggravated when they send a text and do not get an immediate reply. What many people do not take into account is the fact that our ancestors had to wait days and sometimes even weeks to get a reply in a letter. Technology can also lead to regret. Behind a computer screen or cell phone, people say things that they normally wouldn’t. If such messages and information get in the hands of the wrong people it can be detrimental to the sender.

I don’t think that we shouldn’t use technology-it’s there for a reason. I think that we should monitor our use of technology to ensure we don’t lost ourselves in it’s power.

 -Nikki Gaspari