Building Attention Span Analysis

Ayana Reed

Homework #7

English 101, Section #2

28 February 2017

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Knowing More and Understanding Less in this Age of Technology

David Brooks’ article, “Building Attention Span,” was published in the New York Times online July 10, 2015. In the article, Brooks argues that online interaction “nurtures mental agility.” Further, he states that it engages short-term memory as being a quick and effortless learning style. He discusses further, that the learner needs to explore the narrative in order to see the big picture. According to Brooks, this ability to see the big picture can only be nurtured through offline interaction and offline communication involves more thought and complexity, allowing

As a society, we need to weigh the pros and cons of any cultural transition, especially that from offline to online learning. I believe that online interaction has an in-the-moment application and can have a positive effect. However, I do feel that using technology as a medium for learning is having negative effects on our attention span and memory. Consequently, I support the idea that offline learning has more long-term and lasting benefits, such as increased comprehension and quality learning. Centuries ago, man faced a significant transition in society from an oral-based to a writing-based culture. In Phaedrus 274, Socrates said with regard to written culture “Writing will create forgetfulness in the learners' souls, because they will not use their memories; they will trust to the external written characters and not remember of themselves. . . .” Others, such as Plato saw the benefits of writing and recommended that all citizens should receive education in writing. Change was indeed coming, with both positive and detrimental

The use of paper definitely has a more permanent hold on our minds. By implementing books and face-to-face interaction, we are compelled to think and focus our memories to comprehend what we have read. When we engage in face-to-face interaction and reading a book to learn we indulge our senses to an extent we cannot on a keyboard. With a book we utilize sight and touch. And the advantage of having less available distractions. Books have a magical way about them, even when we look past the beautifully intriguing covers. When we have a book we can flip through the pages, dog eared and worn. A book can hold so much history and life in its pages, and a more satisfying hold on its reader. It has been proven that memory is benefited by reading a book and thereby comprehension. A study conducted by West Chester University, found that students who read traditionally printed texts have higher reading comprehension than those who read on iPads. Certainly, with fewer distractions, offline interaction does gain our attention more readily and thereby our