Essay on "Internet Changing Our Mind and Culture"

Essay 5 pages (1439 words) Sources: 5

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Internet changing our mind and culture

There are some who claim that the Internet is not acting as a very good influence on either mind or culture. It is ruining the first and dumbing the second. According to these individuals, our minds are shaped by the tools that we use. So for instance, the printing press causes our minds to think in a linear way, machines to perceive things in a more mechanical fashion and the Internet dries up our imagination and creativity. However, every topic has its advocates and opponents and this one is no exception.

Advocates for the Intent see it as being an instrument that is shaping us into more tolerant and informative human beings by exposing us to a global network of information and connections (but then again we chose whom to communicate with on the net as well as what to read, and some of the information may make us dumber rather than smarter).

This question, by the way, was one that was asked by "The Edge.org" to its 150+ readers and one of the responses, by famous fiction writer Nassim Taleb, opined that the Internet "turns the worlds into Extremism…" The Guardian [Aug 15, 2010]. American writer Nicholas Carr, on the other hand, thinks that the Internet is not only shaping our lives but also altering our brains via the neural mechanism of neuroplasticity. More to the point, she laments the fact that she is no longer able to concentrate on reading material as she used to arguing that the Internet mode of browsing is impairing her neural mechanisms of concentration and wreaking havoc in her brain. On the other hand, 81% of a panel of 370 Internet experts unanimously told the Pew Research Center that they felt that "people's use of the internet has enhanced human intelligence" (The Guardian [Aug 15, 2010]). Ultimately, we may perhaps say that the Internet is both a blessing and a boon. It is undiscriminating, and it is up to the wise surfer to use it rationally. As to its changing culture -- certainly; just as it has capacity to change the individual human. The Internet has power both for good and for evil.

The cultural factors that may be effecting results

The fact simply may be that the author targeted a limited audience consisting possibly of people disinterested in reading about the topic. The American nation is comprised of a glob of different cultures and there is always one or more reader show is interested in a certain topic.

On the other hand, it is true that such a concepts such as memes exist and that some products and services sell better during one era than they do in another. Creators throughout the centuries have found such to be the case with art, prose, inventions, philosophies and so forth. Time and again, creators of product, service or information have achieved posthumous fame for the culture was suited to their mind's work only after their death.

The market that would be interested in this specific e-book is likely one that is predominantly comprised of the following:

a. Prospective immigrants to the U.S.

b. Fresh immigrants to the U.S. Who would like to know about their rights

c. Particularly intelligent and alert American citizens who experience a problems that involves legal issues in some area of their life. The book, however, has to explicitly address their area of concern. American citizens, and which rights that the Constitution protects.

Both Acts (Patriot I and Patriot II) are also connected with terrorism so this limits the ambit even more. My ideal targeted market would be an immigrant from some Islamic country who may feel themselves unfairly slung by racism because of their Islamic origin.

The book could not be more seasonal. Islamaphobia (i.e. prejudice against Islam or Muslims) is on the rise, and many feel themselves to be unfairly harassed. The May 2002 report of the European Monitoring Center on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC) highlighted the regularity with which ordinary Muslims became targets for discriminatory attacks. Their report - "Summary report on Islamophobia in the EU after 11 September 2001" -- was based on 75 reports, 15 from each EU nation and reported incidents such as blaming all Muslims for terrorism, verbal abuse, calling children 'usama', spitting on… READ MORE

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