In a topic-driven, well-organized, and
well-substantiated paragraph, SUMMARIZE Carr’s argument—his “they say”—in
chapter “Six: The Very Image of a Book.”
NOTE:
After posting on the blog, open up the CANVAS assignment (by the same name) and
DO copy and paste the URL address into the CANVAS "WEB URL" text box
so that I have record of your submission on Canvas. Thanks.
Gabrielle Tallman
ReplyDeleteProfessor Kirk
ENG 1003
15 Tuesday 2015
Bye to Books
Carr states in, "The Shallows, Chapter Six: The Very Image of a Book," that computer screens are not that much different than television screens, but very different than books. Black ink is easier to read than pixels because it doesn't give you eye fatigue. An argument was, "And you can write notes in a book's margins or highlight passages that move or inspire you (100)." Although now, digital readers have improved greatly and their functions make it easier to scroll, enlarge text, highlight, etc. right there on the screen! A book is hardly what it used to be, being replaced by Kindles and other electronic devices.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletePeter Cote
ReplyDeleteProffesor Kirk
English 1003
15 Sept. 2015
Chapter 6 The Shallows Summary
Although many people see the advancement in the technology of books is a great success, Nicholas Carr shows that there are several consequences to moving books to e-books like the lack of attention span and the abundance of distractions. The e-books have caused people to lose the meaning of a book because of the many distractions it has. Christine Rosen states that, when she was reading a book on the kindle, “my eyes were restless and jumped around as they do when I try to read for a sustained time on the computer” (103). Carr explains that reading on the kindle or any other type of e-book is no different then reading online. He shows that the words, when on the internet, “become wrapped in all the distractions of the networked computer” (104). The abundance of distractions on a computer make it very difficult to focus on reading because people get notifications of mail or want to check the internet to look up something. People’s attention spans are shrinking because of the many distractions given on a computer that they do not get in a regular book. Deep reading is beginning to shift to quick, short thoughts that are a result of the internet. Although several people think that there is no difference in an e-book and a real book, Carr proves that reading on an e-book is not the same as a reading a regular, paper book.
Aidan Bish
ReplyDeleteProfessor Kirk
English 1003 SWU
15 September 2015
Carr’s Argument Against the Transition Away From Physical Literature
The book is the most resistant to the virtual movement, and when we sacrifice its basic qualities we simultaneously lose the single-mided focus that it demands. Since its creation, the book as a technology has barely changed. However, the concept of silent reading shaped written language as we know it today, and the mass public demand for new material caused massive expansion in syntax and vocabulary as writers strove to express more vivid and abstract ideas. Carr expresses concern that as we move towards entirely virtual communication and composition, we lose the eloquence and precision required of writers of permanent printed media. Carr also argues that “as a device for reading, the book retains some compelling advantages over the computer” and “the experience of reading tends to be better with a book”. For example, navigation is as simply inuitive as flipping a page and a book can be taken almost anywhere without fear of broken circuitry or a dead battery. He acknowledges the supposed advatages of e-readers and similar technologies, but asserts that connecting written works to the internet strips them of the peaceful, single minded focus that is the essence of the book.
Hunter Hebert
ReplyDeleteProfessor Kirk
English 1003
15 September 2015
The Transition of “Books” to “E-Books”
The method of printing text onto paper has, over time, transitioned to the screens of the newest technologies, engulfing the minds of its readers and changing the way we read and think. From the days of its origin, the style and methods of physical literature has not changed much at all. However, the text that was once printed onto paper, its only place to be publicly viewed, has now transitioned into web pages, blogs and e-books. This new form of reading can be done in an instant, finding an abundance of literature types at the snap of a finger, as a result, making it very attractive to the fast-pace mindset of many people today. While this is an incredible advancement in the world of technological advancements, it has slowly, yet ultimately hindered the ability of our minds to deeply read and analyze. Today’s society no longer values the quality of writing and reading, but much rather the quantity, preferring shorter, easier reads. While this is a convenience for most, Carr states that “… the cost will be a further weakening, if not a final severing, of the intimate intellectual attachment between the lone writer and the lone reader.” (108).As we continue to move forward in technology, the use of books and physical literature seem to fade more and more, and our brains seem to be following that same trend.
Trevor Porter
ReplyDeleteProfessor Kirk
English 1003 SWU
15 September 2015
Degradation of the Physicality of Reading
Throughout the history of literature people have been skeptical about whether or not the book, as a medium of stories and news, could be taken over and rendered obsolete by almost every new progression in technology. Carr cites an occurrence of this in a publication from an essay in 1889, in Chapter Six of The Shallows, "The Very Image of a Book", "many books and stories may not see the light of print at all; they will go into the hands of their readers. or hearers rather, as phonograms"(109). This shows that back in the late 19th century and early 20th people were facing the same, turn of the tides, "technological advancements" that they feared would also render their precious books useless. So with this it could be assumed that what is happening today is analogically what happened in 1889. With any new, more convenient developments people will worry that they will no longer need the old items that they have invested their time and money into. That being said, the internet and its bounty of opportunities and options to read books or e-books will have a very rough time attempting to render the traditional, tried and tested, -book-.
Kaylee Young
ReplyDeleteProfessor Kirk
English 1003
15 September 2015
Summary of Chapter Six
In chapter six, “The very image of a book”, he develops the idea that e-books are the most popular way to read, even though, they tend to allow people to get off task easily and have effected authors’ attitudes towards their writing. The kindle is the main focused device within this chapter because it allows us to buy numerous books at our fingertips to be read instantly. It is somewhat a “cultural revolution,” according to Weisburg. It is not hard to tell that society is at a new age where printed books are not needed because it can all be done electronically for the benefits of accessibility and cost. However, due to the fact that these e-books are on a device with numerous apps of social media, the mind of the reader can drift off, or get distracted easy by notifications or the urge to be constantly be connected with new posts. Another con is that authors have completely changed their desire to “achieve perfection” in their writing. Online, authors can constantly update and change their work whenever they want, therefore they don’t feel the need to strive for perfection when it can always be modified. Overall, this new age, according to Federman and Shirky, has “thoughtful people slipping comfortably into the permanent state of distractedness that defines the online life.”(112) Society has become accustomed to being constantly distracted with all the new advances and distractions that the web has created.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDevante Wrenn
ReplyDeleteProfessor Kirk
Eng. 1003
15 Tuesday 2015
Why read out of book?
In chapter six in some people’s point of view looking at a book somewhere down the line got boring and they turn for new stuff. People went from the paper world to the digital world. Carr talks about how the e- books are getting people’s attention but also making them not pay attention to the vital meaning of what the book means. It is more of a distraction than actually help. Christine Rosen says that reading a paper book and a book on her device is the same thing. Her eyes wonder off in space and she does the same as she would do to a paperback book. Carr believes that when you are on any technology and reading something the emails and notifications about certain things can distraction you as a reader and keep you from getting the vital information. With a book you don’t see anything but words on a page and you won’t have any excuse to not get any information. The book is the first thing to come out and many people read but why do others pick the internet?
Breanna Roper
ReplyDeleteProfessor Kirk
English 1003
15 September 2015
The Progression of the Electronic Word, and its Effects
For hundreds of years, books and written word have been the medium of society's intellectual and entertainment needs. In recent years, technology has had significant improvements, to the point where reading is occurring on a digital screen instead of on paper. No more turning of pages exists to many, just a click of a button. This is fascinating to society, we as humans obviously have great interest in the newest available creations that we have yet to have exposure to.This shift in how we read is bound to have effects on how we write and perceive as well, as Carr states, "Changes in reading style will also bring changes in writing style, as authors and their publishers adapt to readers' new habits and expectations" (104). As we gain more technology our concentration levels lower, and our ability to read normal written word slowly disintegrates.
Carter Groomes
ReplyDeleteProfessor Kirk
English 1003
15 September 2015
Ebook or Nah?
In Chapter 6 of Nicolas Carr’s The Shallows, he explains how books so much simpler and do not need any tending to, while eBooks’ are the complete opposite and are beginning to take over the market. Thanks to the evolution of the eBook people are now able to read eBooks with more efficiency as a traditional book. However, one common theme with critics using eBooks is not being able to concentrate on the book for long periods of time. Then the author proclaims how the constant use of the Internet will damage a readers writing skills and techniques. Carr backs this by stating “The provisional nature of digital text also promises to influence writing styles.” (107). An eBook is not a permanent text like a traditional book; it can be altered and edited online while a traditional book is set in stone. In summary, traditional books have survived over long periods of time and have never gone away, so they will continue to be apart and play a key role in our culture.
Logan Radwanski
ReplyDeleteProfessor Kirk
English 1003
15 September 2015
Chapter 6 “The Very Image of A Book” Summary
Carr is giving us another background history of books, digital readers, and the thoughts of where books were going or going to go in the future and past. Diving into the history of digital readers starting from the shift to more e-books on digital readers such as the Kindle by Amazon. With pros and cons of these digital readers such as a pro would be cheaper and better for the environment (saving paper and all) then the cons of the digital lights hurting our eyes and with Wi-Fi connection on these devices changing the way we read by getting distracted and checking Facebook real quick then going back to your book. Losing the sense of deep reading but some argue it’s for the best as “…surfing the Web is a suitable, even superior, substitute for deep reading and other forms of calm and attentive thought” (Carr 112). As in the past some thought the phonograph will ultimately replace books or even newspapers and now some are saying today “…printed books, the most important artifacts of human civilization, are going to join newspapers and magazines on the road to obsolescence.” (Carr 102) Or some even say we are making a “full circle” to the short attention span we originated with as we trained our minds to deep read and become fully entranced into something.
Austin Bennett
ReplyDeleteProfessor Kirk
Eng 1003
15 September 2015
Carr and traditional anti-e-book views
In chapter 6 of Nicholas Carr's The Shallows, Carr speaks of the death of written literature. Carr talks about how printed literature will never disappear, and makes multiple points about why books are better than e-readers. Carr states "And you can write notes in a book's margins or highlight passages that move or inspire you."(96) as if you cannot make notes in a kindle, nook, or other ebook. Carr goes on to say that books will always be better because there is no visual strain or need to charge a book. It almost is as if Carr does not realize that all technology changes. I feel he is slightly biased in this chapter due to the fact that he is an author himself. Books have changed, and will continue to. That is unavoidable.
Anna Newton
ReplyDeleteProfessor Kirk
English 1003
15 September 2015
Ebooks or No Books
In Chapter 6 of Nicholas Carr’s The Shallows, he states that books are now starting to adapt to our generations’ technological advances. Though there are many complications with eBooks, Carr expresses that traditional books are sometimes more reliable. Also, without using technology to read a book, you do not get as distracted. Although, eBooks allows hundreds of books to be downloaded, which gives us a surplus of novels to choose from at our fingertips. Carr argues about reading books through technology with the statement, “Electronic text is impermanent.” (107). With eBooks, there can be revisions, and they are always evolving, with traditional books they are permanent, once published. In conclusion, Carr argues that traditional books are more dependable than our new technology, eBooks.