You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
A review by lady_wira
The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains by Nicholas Carr
5.0
The internet is full of information, no doubt, how it is consumed and readily available has contributed significantly to how we consume information. Is the internet changing the way we think? Does the good outweigh the bad or does the bad outweigh the good? The Shallows is an in-depth examination of the impact the Internet has on our cognitive abilities
Nicholas Carr’s book “The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains” argues that the way we use the Internet is changing the way our brains work. Carr suggests that the internet, with its constant stream of information and distractions, is rewiring our brains to be more easily distracted, reducing our ability to concentrate intensely, and making it harder for us to retain information. He points out that the Internet encourages a kind of “skimming” behaviour, in which we quickly browse through web pages, looking for information but not taking the time to fully absorb it. This, he claims, is weakening our ability to concentrate, to think deeply and to remember.
Carr’s argument is based on research in neuroscience, psychology, and other fields, and he cites studies showing that our brains change physically in response to the way we use technology. For example, studies have shown that the brains of people who spend a lot of time online have less grey matter in areas associated with memory and attention, while other studies have shown that people who read on paper are better able to retain information than people who read on screens.
In addition, Carr suggests that the constant distractions of the Internet are affecting our ability to focus on a single task for any length of time. He cites studies that show that the mere presence of an Internet-connected device can be a distraction, even if we’re not actively using it.
The book also explores the historical development of reading and writing and the ways in which these technologies have shaped our brains and our cognitive abilities. Carr suggests that the shift from reading printed material to reading on screens is having a similar effect on our brains and that we may be losing some of the deeper analytical skills that come from reading complex, lengthy texts.
While Carr’s argument is compelling, it overstates the negative effects of the internet on our brains. The internet also provides many benefits, such as easy access to information and the ability to connect with people around the world. The focus on the negative felt like a “clickbait” to keep reading the book.
“The Shallows” undeniably raises important questions about the impact of technology on our cognitive abilities and encourages us to be more mindful of how we use the internet and other technologies in our daily lives. I recommend this book to anyone interested in the effects of technology on our minds, and for those who are concerned about the potential impact of the Internet on our ability to think deeply and critically. This book is more of a study book to be read keenly than it is a leisure reading material.
Nicholas Carr’s book “The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains” argues that the way we use the Internet is changing the way our brains work. Carr suggests that the internet, with its constant stream of information and distractions, is rewiring our brains to be more easily distracted, reducing our ability to concentrate intensely, and making it harder for us to retain information. He points out that the Internet encourages a kind of “skimming” behaviour, in which we quickly browse through web pages, looking for information but not taking the time to fully absorb it. This, he claims, is weakening our ability to concentrate, to think deeply and to remember.
Carr’s argument is based on research in neuroscience, psychology, and other fields, and he cites studies showing that our brains change physically in response to the way we use technology. For example, studies have shown that the brains of people who spend a lot of time online have less grey matter in areas associated with memory and attention, while other studies have shown that people who read on paper are better able to retain information than people who read on screens.
In addition, Carr suggests that the constant distractions of the Internet are affecting our ability to focus on a single task for any length of time. He cites studies that show that the mere presence of an Internet-connected device can be a distraction, even if we’re not actively using it.
The book also explores the historical development of reading and writing and the ways in which these technologies have shaped our brains and our cognitive abilities. Carr suggests that the shift from reading printed material to reading on screens is having a similar effect on our brains and that we may be losing some of the deeper analytical skills that come from reading complex, lengthy texts.
While Carr’s argument is compelling, it overstates the negative effects of the internet on our brains. The internet also provides many benefits, such as easy access to information and the ability to connect with people around the world. The focus on the negative felt like a “clickbait” to keep reading the book.
“The Shallows” undeniably raises important questions about the impact of technology on our cognitive abilities and encourages us to be more mindful of how we use the internet and other technologies in our daily lives. I recommend this book to anyone interested in the effects of technology on our minds, and for those who are concerned about the potential impact of the Internet on our ability to think deeply and critically. This book is more of a study book to be read keenly than it is a leisure reading material.