Children from iGen or Generation Z are born into a world dominated by the Internet. Even the generations who were not born into the world of the Internet are eventually influenced by the world-wide web. Our modern Internet addiction has side effects and subconscious consequences that are far-reaching and take hold deep within our brains. Nicholas Carr explores our shorter attention spans and lack of depth in thought in The Shallows. Carr connects neuroscience, psychology, and history to paint a picture of what is occurring inside one’s brain as it is continuously influenced by our electronic environment. The book does not read as an annoying lecture or a rejection of the Internet, but rather calls our attention to the shocking effects that the Internet is having on our daily cognitive processes -- the changes in our lives that have occurred but that we have never noticed. Carr explores the idea that Google may be making us stupider. In our fast-paced world, we fail to slow down and understand the repercussions of every quick Google search or every soundbite we scroll through on Twitter. This book instills a subtle sense of fear for the future of the human mind and the near-permanent alterations to the way we think and focus. The most appalling point in this book, in my opinion, was the idea that we are neurologically moving to be a species that will not have the capacity to concentrate for long periods of time, contributing to a shallow-minded society.
I really enjoyed this book for its candid analysis of our modern society and its revealing nature of the neurological changes in our brains due to the impact of technology. “Calm, focused, undistracted, the linear mind is being pushed aside by a new kind of mind that wants and needs to take in and dole out information in short, disjointed, often overlapping bursts -- the faster, the better” (Carr 10). Examples like these bring to light the harsh realities we so often neglect or refuse to accept. This book is strong in providing anecdotal examples for the reader to relate to and better understand heavy neurological material; however, the book is written more like a textbook than a narrative story, which may make it difficult for certain readers to read.
We have always heard about why technology is bad and how it is addictive, but this book thoroughly explores the issue on a micro-level within our brains, as well as on a macro-level in the perspective of our increasingly technological society. Rather than imposing a call-to-action or demand for the reader to make a change in their lives, the book simply provides the reasoning and depth behind the issue and allows the reader to make their own conclusions and changes in their own lives. This book has convinced me of the importance of recognizing what technology is doing to us more than any other article, TEDTalk, or lecture from my mom. It has instilled in me the desire to do better for myself and to explore the depths of the human mind -- to not be superficially satisfied by addictive technologies. I honestly believe that this book is a must-read for millennials and centennials, because it will influence the way we approach technology and how we share technology with future generations. We have been given a tremendous amount of power with technology, and it is up to us to develop the self-control and awareness needed to preserve the depths of the human mind -- an effort that demands the involvement of every individual in society.
I really enjoyed this book for its candid analysis of our modern society and its revealing nature of the neurological changes in our brains due to the impact of technology. “Calm, focused, undistracted, the linear mind is being pushed aside by a new kind of mind that wants and needs to take in and dole out information in short, disjointed, often overlapping bursts -- the faster, the better” (Carr 10). Examples like these bring to light the harsh realities we so often neglect or refuse to accept. This book is strong in providing anecdotal examples for the reader to relate to and better understand heavy neurological material; however, the book is written more like a textbook than a narrative story, which may make it difficult for certain readers to read.
We have always heard about why technology is bad and how it is addictive, but this book thoroughly explores the issue on a micro-level within our brains, as well as on a macro-level in the perspective of our increasingly technological society. Rather than imposing a call-to-action or demand for the reader to make a change in their lives, the book simply provides the reasoning and depth behind the issue and allows the reader to make their own conclusions and changes in their own lives. This book has convinced me of the importance of recognizing what technology is doing to us more than any other article, TEDTalk, or lecture from my mom. It has instilled in me the desire to do better for myself and to explore the depths of the human mind -- to not be superficially satisfied by addictive technologies. I honestly believe that this book is a must-read for millennials and centennials, because it will influence the way we approach technology and how we share technology with future generations. We have been given a tremendous amount of power with technology, and it is up to us to develop the self-control and awareness needed to preserve the depths of the human mind -- an effort that demands the involvement of every individual in society.