Carr argues that having such advanced technology at our disposal we are changing the way that we as a society are learning. The internet allows people to have instant access to a never ending fountain of information allowing people to not have to rely on actually retaining information. When reading an article online, I often find that I am reading the article, much like Carr suggested, skimming for vital information. I know that the article is one the internet and the next time I have a question regarding the topic, it can be searched again. Having access to infinite knowledge is making us stupid because we do not have a responsibility to remember important information because it can be looked up.
Having immediate access to information can create a society that is not focused on retaining information, but rather would rather rely on the internet for the content. When you have immediate access you also lose the experience of doing the research, and the experience of the filing systems in the libraries. While I have a vague understanding of the system, anytime I have gone to the library looking for a book I need help from the librarians.  We are also losing our ability to focus, creating a distracted generation. I find that the internet is very distracting and can lead to me falling into “rabbit holes” of looking things up on the internet.
Shirkey argues that by constant access to the internet we are able to gain knowledge in a much easier way. I agree that because of the internet, we are able to learn about things both for hobbies and globally that we would otherwise not be exposed to. Using the internet I was able to teach myself how to sew with a sewing machine, with a combination of videos online and other blogs and forums. It was during quarantine and I could not take lessons or classes in person, so I would have otherwise been unable to learn. I believe that technology also has the possibility to destroy our attention span, constant stimuli from social media and instant gratification allow for the internet to negatively affect people. I agree with both Shirkey and Carr, I believe that the internet is being used in helping us learn new information, while also melting our brains in a way. I believe that the opportunities to learn are so endless, with a constantly refreshing timeline and news cycle,  that it is leading people to forget about the ideas that they had previously before they are able to execute or further the ideas.