Has the internet warped my brain?
February 10, 2012 2:54 PM Subscribe
I have an interesting and challenging topic thought out for an essay, and I'm trying to find sources, but I'm stumped on how to word my search for reading material and sources on the topic. Help me find sources on how the internet changes the way we read!
I vaguely remember reading a long time ago, an article on how people of my generation (i.e. under 20 or so) have different reading styles than older generations, who grew up surrounded with print media, due to the influence of the internet. I remember it talking about how younger people would jump from place to place when reading an article, while older people would follow a more linear format, but I've completely forgotten where I read it, when I read it, and the main details.
Recently, I was given a very open-ended essay assignment for a writing course, where the topic could be anything related to "writing" and "the internet". Naturally, I thought about the study that I read a long time ago.
So now, I'm trying to see if I can dig up sources on it again. My google-fu is really failing me on this one, because I have no idea what to write. I'm looking for any information on how the internet and growing up around the internet has changed reading styles, and discussions of the consequences (both positive and negative) of this change.
Both sources and recommendations on how to look for sources on these topics are helpful!
I vaguely remember reading a long time ago, an article on how people of my generation (i.e. under 20 or so) have different reading styles than older generations, who grew up surrounded with print media, due to the influence of the internet. I remember it talking about how younger people would jump from place to place when reading an article, while older people would follow a more linear format, but I've completely forgotten where I read it, when I read it, and the main details.
Recently, I was given a very open-ended essay assignment for a writing course, where the topic could be anything related to "writing" and "the internet". Naturally, I thought about the study that I read a long time ago.
So now, I'm trying to see if I can dig up sources on it again. My google-fu is really failing me on this one, because I have no idea what to write. I'm looking for any information on how the internet and growing up around the internet has changed reading styles, and discussions of the consequences (both positive and negative) of this change.
Both sources and recommendations on how to look for sources on these topics are helpful!
Googling "internet changed reading habits" (not in quotes, just the separate words) brought up a ton of stuff from reliable sources.
posted by Sidhedevil at 3:14 PM on February 10, 2012
posted by Sidhedevil at 3:14 PM on February 10, 2012
I doubt this is what you're looking for, but The Dumbest Generation deals with growing up in the age of the internet and its consequences.
posted by jingle at 3:22 PM on February 10, 2012
posted by jingle at 3:22 PM on February 10, 2012
The Shallows He's trying to prove his point which sounds like yours, so I can't really say he's objective. OTOH, somebody I disagree with about everything recommended it, so I was inclined to hate it.
posted by mearls at 4:48 PM on February 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by mearls at 4:48 PM on February 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: I should clarify: I'm not looking for any sources on how the internet is making us "dumb" or lowering our intelligence levels, but sources that deal specifically and explicitly with how the changes the way we read. Of course, that can be difficult to separate, seeing how closely reading is related to intelligence in our culture, but I'd like stuff that errs more on the "reading" side than the "smartness" side.
Also, if possible, more objective sources would be helpful! I understand how the topic can be certainly very alarmist at times, which leads to people criticizing the internet. Is it possible to view the topic of changing reading styles in a positive way? Or even a neutral way? All of the sources that I'm looking at seem pretty negative! What about scientific sources?
First source is pretty good, and second recommendation is awesome. Never thought about googling it that concisely, thanks for narrowing down my train of thought for me. :)
posted by Conspire at 10:53 PM on February 10, 2012
Also, if possible, more objective sources would be helpful! I understand how the topic can be certainly very alarmist at times, which leads to people criticizing the internet. Is it possible to view the topic of changing reading styles in a positive way? Or even a neutral way? All of the sources that I'm looking at seem pretty negative! What about scientific sources?
First source is pretty good, and second recommendation is awesome. Never thought about googling it that concisely, thanks for narrowing down my train of thought for me. :)
posted by Conspire at 10:53 PM on February 10, 2012
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Sounds like the article you're talking about. Hopefully it gives you something to start with!
posted by sarae at 2:59 PM on February 10, 2012