Woolstenhulme 1

Josh Woolstenhulme
ENGL 1010
Professor Barrett
March 11, 2016
Is Google Making Us Stupid?
In August of 2008, Nicolas Carr argued that Google and increased access to information
through the internet makes people stupid. He believes that technology is changing the way
individuals read and think. Carr does not dislike technology; he even outlines the ways it has
been useful in his own life. However, he does encourage people to be more aware of the changes
technology brings to their lives and emphasizes the importance of critical thinking. Through his
article, Nicolas Carr highlights the changes technology has brought to society using pathos,
ethos, and logos.
Carr begins his argument using pathos. He grabs the audiences attention by describing a
scene from the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey. Carr depicts a moment where a supercomputer
complains it is losing its mind exclaiming my mind is goingI can feel it (Carr). He uses
imagery visualizing a computer thinking and speaking like people expect humans too to
make his point. The description of the scene makes people ask questions they wonder how
things got that far and what they need to do. Carr continues to play on emotion by relating the
story to his own life saying someone, or something, has been tinkering with my brain,
remapping the neural circuitry, reprogramming the memory (Carr). This furthers the image of
machines and humans become blended unsure of who should do the thinking and decision
making. Carr also uses specific language, such as calling himself a worrywart, to play on
emotions. By using pathos to engage the audience and get them thinking about his suggestions,
Carrs argument becomes more convincing.
Carr is a notable author on his own having written for the Wall Street Journal, New
York Times, and Wired but he does not solely rely on his own credentials to establish ethos.

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Carr uses quotes from experts and well known philosophers to support his arguments. He
emphasizes their accomplishments noting that one man he quotes, Bruce Friedman, is a
pathologist who has long been on the faculty (Carr). By telling his audience why they should
care what the people he quotes has to say and using well recognized sources, Carr makes people
want to believe he is telling the truth. Additionally, Carr addresses both sides of the argument. He
acknowledges the weak pieces of his opinion and chooses his words carefully to ensure he is
understood. By recognizing not everyone will agree with him, he makes it easier to listen to his
ideas with an open mind. His transparency and established sources increase his credibility or
ethos.
Carr uses research from published studies to establish logos. He describes the methods of
the study as well as the results, explaining that the scholars examined computer logs
documenting the behavior of visitors to popular research sites (Carr). The study showed that
people skim articles, typically read[ing] no more than one or two pagesbefore they would
bounce out to another site(Carr). He uses facts to show that trends suggest his argument has
merit. He also recognizes the important role the internet plays in peoples lives. He explains the
pieces that are still not known highlighting the information experts still need to find. Since he
talks about facts both those understood and those still being determined his argument seems
real. It appears to be an idea currently being proven rather than a concept that has never been
tested. He uses facts to establish strength and importance for his argument.
Nicolas incorporates all three rhetorical appeals in his argument about Google making us
stupid to great effect. By the end of the article, the reader is questioning their decisions and
patterns hoping to avoid falling into the traps Carr has outlined. This demonstrates the ability of
ethos, pathos, and logos to work together to build a persuasive argument. People are able to

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relate to the argument and trust on all levels that it works when you use logic and credibility
while playing on their emotions.

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Works Cited
Carr, Nicolas. "IS Google Making Us Stupid." Atlantic Aug. 2008. Web. Accessed March 11,
2016. http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2008/07/is-google-making-usstupid/306868/