Developing Thesis
Well I started off with a very general topic stating that the Internet distracts us, seizing our attention, scattering it, basically messing around with us. In class we discussed it a little more and we found that apparently I’ve fallen victim to the seductive powers of the Internet. An interesting claim to say the least, I never would’ve thought about the Internet being seductive but I definitely see how it is.
When I started searching for possible resources I saw that seductiveness, allure, and addiction were terms used interchangeably to describe this ineffable power that the Internet has over us. Slowly but surely, I think I’ve started to narrow it down. I’ve come to the conclusion that the Internet is one of the most seductive forces of the modern era. I think for now that is my very generalized thesis. In asking myself, “how?” I think I can start to list my claims.
Using anecdotal evidence and making a very obvious assertion, I will argue that one of the reasons that the Internet is so alluring is that there is an overwhelming amount of possible things to research and distract oneself with. This can further branch off into one area that I especially have trouble with: shopping. I can take myself shopping because I just don’t feel like working on my Anthropology ethnography. Sometimes I just go on my favorite clothing sites to check if the winter line has been updated or if there are any new sales or just because I really really don’t want to study. I can then go on to talk about advertising on the Internet and how it plays such a huge role on my Internet shopping-distraction-binges.
After this I can start talking about social networking sites and the control that they seem to have over us. The control that Carr speaks of in The Shallows that leads us to refresh our email pages dozens of times even though they’re programmed to notify us automatically when we receive new messages. Why do we do this? Here I can take a more psychological approach to my argument using sources I have yet to find but I’m sure exist somewhere out there…PROBABLY ON THE INTERNET.
From here I can also branch off into the topic I mentioned in the resource links I posted earlier about the lack of empathy that the Internet creates amongst people because of the absolute freedom we have to do and say what we please with no consequences. Again, I’d take a psychological approach to support my assertions.
This is all I have for now. They’re all just ideas floating around in my head. Even though I feel like I have a much better idea of where I’m heading with this project I’m still a little uneasy about it and I’d love to hear what you guys have to say about my thesis and possible supporting claims!
I like it. The idea itself is a little bland but I have a feeling that you will be able to make it interesting.
It is true, the internet is very distracting. It literally even distracts me when I am not doing anything. I’ll be on the train and just trying to listen to music when, before I know it, I’ll find myself surfing the web.
I like the idea of taking a psychological perspective to this project. Psychology always amazed me for some reason. I don’t know how interesting I will find the parts about Internet shopping but that might just be me. I’m not a big internet shopping kind of guy (then again I don’t do much shopping to begin with…)
But obviously you will find shopping more fun that writing an anthro essay. Shopping on the internet relates to your life better than an anthro essay does. Do you really care about anthropology? Maybe, maybe not. Do you really care about buying a new shirt from one of those ‘hip’ stores? I bet you do. The internet can cater to your personal life and grant happiness through its endless wonders. I bet writing an anthro essay can’t do that…
All in all, I think you have an interesting topic and good luck to you. Have fun with it.