The Internet and Society

Some people might consider Fahrenheit 451 to be a book about the dangers of censorship and the destruction of knowledge. I don't however think that is the main theme of the book. I believe that the book is more than just that. I believe it is also about the destruction of relationships. The characters in the book don't have real, valid relationships with each other. They don't even truly talk to one another. I think that depending on who you are and what your personal points of view are, this book could take on many themes.

I understand what Bradbury is saying about the ability of technology to replace reading and thinking critically. But I am not sure that I agree with it 100%. He makes a valid point though. I believe technology can have that ability with some people but not all. I think that it completely depends on the person. I think technology, in this case meaning the internet, has helped a lot of people learn and understand more of what is happening in the world around them.

I think television and the internet have played a role in the decline of the ability to read and think critically in society. But I don't think the decline is the same across the board with every level of society. I believe that while the ability has declined with some, it has increased with others. I think a person's ability to read and think critically depends on multiple factors. I believe a person's position in society plays a role. I don't mean to generalize, but people that have a low income, thought to be by some people as "lower class", seem to not think as critically as people with a higher income. The lower income people don't have the same educational opportunities as higher income people. http://ed-dan.blogspot.com/ I believe education plays a huge role in a person's ability to read and think critically. http://www.criticalthinking.org/professionalDev/higherEducation.cfm

I believe that there are people who just accept their lot in life. They do as their told. They believe what they hear and don't give any of it a second thought. http://www.technewsworld.com/story/68059.html?wlc=1280090811 But I also believe that there are people who strive to move forward and become smarter and better educated. These are the people who see or hear something and use the internet to find out more information. They try to get answers. They try to see things from a different perspective. I think the internet is a wonderful tool. I believe it has increased my ability to read and think critically.

I don't think we are headed towards a time when authority's burn books for our own good. I don't think the population would ever allow that to happen. There a so many people out there with a voice and they will not stand for that kind of behavior. There are always people looking to fight for one cause or another. I think information is so readily available via the internet already that there wouldn't even be point of burning books.

Critical Thinking in Primary School

The brain in the most complex organ in the human body. The reasoning part of the brain isn't fully developed till the age of 25 give or take. Before that the brain is growing and developing. The frontal lobe deals with motor function, problem solving, spontaneity, memory, language, reasoning, judgment, impulse control, and social and sexual behavior. It is considered to be our emotional control center and home to our personality.

Children that are in primary school are just starting down their educational path. With their frontal lobes not developed yet they are more prone to emotional outburst and are unable to properly engage in logical reasoning.

With a fully developed frontal lobe a person can think ahead, plan, and weigh the risks and rewards involved in reasoning and thinking critically. A child in primary school has a disadvantage because their frontal lobe isn't completely wired yet to deal with everyday problems.

Some people think primary school is a good time to start teaching our children to think critically. http://www.rubies-scientific.com/critical_thinking/critical_thinking_in_elementary.htm I don't think critical thinking skills should be taught in primary school. These children still need to learn the facts. They need to learn what is right and what is wrong. And they are still learning the ways of our society. It is similar to learning to walk. A person will stumble around and fall a couple of times before they can walk. I believe that is how critical thinking skills are personally developed. Stumbling around until the brain is properly wired and ready to deal with life's problems.

There are two waves of overproduction of gray matter in the brain. The first only lasts a brief period of 18 months and starts in the womb. The second wave starts between the ages of 11 and 12. www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publication After this time the brain begins to dispose of the neural connections that aren't being used. In my opinion we should begin to teach children to think critically in middle school. I believe their brain is developed enough at this point to benefit from being taught to think critically and use reasoning skills. There life experiences up to that point help to teach them reason.