I enjoyed reading the specified excerpts from the
book The Shallows (Carr, 2010), so much so that by the time I got to
page 16 all I was thinking was, “Wow, this is so much like me”! Granted I wasn’t
into some of the specifics that Carr was but as a gamer since the early 90’s you
have to stay current with computer specs and software updates. Yes, I too have
experienced that the new media driven world can easily change one’s daily
activities. For Carr, “It wasn't just
that so many of his habits and routines were changing as he became more
accustomed to and dependent on the sites and services of the Net. The very way
his brain worked seemed to be changing”. Ever since I switched from a landline
to a cell phone my daily habits adjusted to the new addition. And that was
before I got my iPhone! I mentioned in a
much earlier Module blog post that I don’t read leisure books like I used to. I
was like Carr, I would get immersed in the characters and could easily spend an
afternoon reading then wonder where the time went. Nowadays, between email,
apps (and their addicting games), Facebook, online journals, plus an Xbox
gaming system and Nintendo DS, shoot it’s no wonder I don’t read anymore. Maybe
I need to move to Colorado!
I saw several
connections to things we’ve been discussing the last few weeks. The first
explained by Erika Rummel when she said that, “a person should digest or
internalize what he learns and reflect rather than slavishly reproduce the
desirable qualities of the model author" (pg. 179). Much of what James and
constructivists reiterate is the importance of associations in the learning
process. The biology behind memory is also important, as Carr found that, “our
experiences continually shape our behavior and identity: The fact that a gene
must be switched on to form long-term memory shows clearly that genes are not
simply determinants of behavior but are also responsive to environmental
stimulation, such as learning" (pg. 187).
I like how Carr gave note to the
differences between the brains memory and computer memory, since the two have
been metaphorically paired together as of late, stating that, “Biological
memory is alive and computer memory is not” (pg. 191). Computer memory is a
fixed circuit whereas the brain’s memory has an almost infinite ability. From
what I understand it’s not an ‘almost infinite ability’ it is infinite. Unless
there are reports that indicate the capacity for long term memory which I have
not been privy to.
I was not surprised to read that the
key to memory consolidation is attention (passive or voluntary) and making
connections between various explicit memories (pg. 193). As James said, “An
educated memory depends on an organized system of associations; and its
goodness depends on two of their peculiarities; first on the persistency of the
associations; and, second, on their number” (James 1899/2001, pg. 60). One of
the main points that Carr discusses is how the Web isn’t allowing us the
opportunity to have focused attention or concentration, and we grow accustom to
distraction. I see this more and more in
the classroom, semester after semester. Students need for stimulation and constant at that, it continually surprises
me.
Carr mentions in the digression
section of his book that after he disconnected himself from the Web, though it
was difficult for a period of time, eventually the “old, disused neural
circuits sprang back to life” (pg. 199). I couldn’t help but think of our class
discussions about habits versus free will and how much of our behavior is
habit. As James states, “new habits can be launched if there is new stimuli and
excitement” (James 1899/2001, pg. 39) and Carr’s habits did change. Some of the
new habits were viewed in a positive light while others created concern in
relation to memory and attention. However, the old habits didn’t die they just
needed to be reignited.
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