Technology effects everyone different, and everyone has vastly different options on said effect. Some may believe that technology has completely shifted their lives, others may believe it hasn’t changed them at all, and many are simply in the middle, believing that technology has affected them but not declaring to what extent. A small difference in beliefs and opinions often cause us to overlook the opinions of others, casting aside any ideas of theirs because it challenges ours. Yet if we take the time to look deeper, to listen, learn, and understand what others are saying we can learn a lot, and we might just surprise ourselves by how many similarities we find. This is clear when looking at the opinions and personal experiences of Siobhan, Ian, and Nicholas Carr is regards to technology and the effect it is having on us. At first glance, one might note Siobhan and Ian’s different approaches and essay contents, with Siobhan writing of relationships and education, and Ian writing of physical heath and fake news. This surface level examination of these essays shows little similarities, yet if one was to look deeper, they would see the many connections. Though specifics and severity to their beliefs differ, the two writers align in their connection and shared opinions with Nicholas Carr, with all three writing of the effects and changes that have occurred due to our reliance and dependence on technology. 

            One such instance of this shared connection and belief of all writers is in their writing of misinformation and communication. Throughout their respective essays all wrote of the effects of the web as a communication system, and the drastic repercussions that can occur as a result. One view of this is that of Ian, who wrote of his belief that “technology allows for false narratives and misinformation to spread and thrive” (Ian). Ian continued to go on and discuss how technology is making it harder for use to determine what is real and what is fake, and that as a result we the information we receive, and consequently the knowledge we gain is being direct effected, and as he argues negatively, by technology. Looking at another prospective, yet echoing similar concerns and beliefs is Siobhan’s essay, which focuses instead on the social effects that technological misinformation and communication can cause. This essay brings up the concerns of “false rumors traveling on the web” (Siobhan) and communication becoming harder as technology continues to grow and develop, as well as stating the idea that “relationships with friends, family, and significant others are all based on communication” (Siobhan). Although the specifics of Ian and Siobhan’s points are different, the main idea is the same. Both ideas tie into Carrs beliefs, that being that the web is a “communications system [that plays] so many roles in our lives- [and] exert[s] such board influence over our thoughts” (Carr, 6). Although the authors may all have focused on different specific aspects, all the works tied into the central idea that technology is influencing communications and information.

            Furthering the tie between the authors is their writing on the physical effects technology has had, which consequently tie into Carrs belief on technological reliance. In Ian’s essay he brings up the topic of physical health effects that technology has had. In fact, he takes a rather strong stance on this point, stating simply “We’re fat” (Ian), and citing “the growth and rise of digital technology” (Ian) as the reasoning for this. His continues of citing that a variety of health issues, such as mental health, have risen along with the rise of technology. Although not taking as strong of a stance, Siobhan also comments on the physical effect of technology, but focusing rather on the lack of physical material, specifically in terms of education. In terms of education, the Autor brings up how pen and paper have all but disappeared from the classroom, as well as physical books being replaced by their online counter parts. Physical education tools are being removed from the classroom, and this is affecting education and learning. Students are having a harder time comprehending material, and knowledge and key skills are decreasing. Though different from Ian’s discussion on obesity and health issues, Siobhan’s points share the common idea of physical changes, and both ideas echo a key idea of Carrs writing. This idea is simply that we are becoming reliant on technology, and that this technology is changing us and our environments. All writers agree, though expressing different specifics, with this change and expressed it through their writings.