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The Shallows - the internet is making us stupid

I mentioned a book I was reading recently - The Shallows.   It is a really challenging book basically proposing that the tools we use alter how we think.  The key thesis is that the internet is making us less likely to think deeply - we skim read now and get easily distracted led astray by hyperlinks etc.  Here is the author talking about these ideas



It is really interesting stuff.

From a paleo point of view what I find intersting is the idea that the hunter gatherer brain is also a naturaly distacted one - it needs to be to spot prey or evade attack.  It would do not good to be too much of a dat dreamer.  Deep thinking is good though.
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Unknown said…
Chris, I haven't read the book yet but I am very interested in what the author has to say. What I want to know is Mr. Carr offering any solution in the book on the problem he outlines?
October 11, 2010 at 10:44 AM
Anonymous said…
If by deep thinking you mean focused and concentrated thinking over an extended period of time, then I completely agree. This is the kind of thinking that helps creativity flourish--connecting the dots, following a train of thought to a logically compelling conclusion, following promising and interesting moments of inspiration rigorously and persistently. Impossible--or at least highly difficult--for most people. I'd even go further and say that the Internet may just be a kind of information pollution. In its own way, just as grievous as air, noise, and light pollution for quality of life.
October 12, 2010 at 3:56 AM
Hotews said…
Book subject is matter of study but the title and topic in itself is self explainatory.
Really a nice discussion !
Your live video is thought provoking.
October 19, 2010 at 11:46 AM
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