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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
dark
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Absolutely fascinating.
Coming from the perspective of both a reporter and concerned citizen, Nicholas Carr provides not just an overview of the current neuroscience on neuroplasticity but also makes some (IMO) conservative predictions about future outcomes. Our recent digital technology driven culture WILL change the structural connections in our brain and by the same token the function of those connections. Our brains adapt to what the environment provides and if that is constant distraction, tid bits of hyperlinked information then we will begin to see short and long term changes in our "old" ways of information processing.
I took away from this book the pressing need to understand fully the neurological implications of constant screen time and also the subtle effects on future generations. Nicholas Carr provided me with an entirely new perspective on digital media and how I learn as an "emerging" adult. I know will be more selective in the time that I spend using the Net but also be intentional about disconnecting to still enjoy the quiet moments in life.
I took away from this book the pressing need to understand fully the neurological implications of constant screen time and also the subtle effects on future generations. Nicholas Carr provided me with an entirely new perspective on digital media and how I learn as an "emerging" adult. I know will be more selective in the time that I spend using the Net but also be intentional about disconnecting to still enjoy the quiet moments in life.
Fascinating! Author shares history, explains neuroscience, and technology all while telling stories to keep the difficult topic interesting. I’ve never highlighted a book more.
I am feeling the deep irony of having read this book on my kindle only to write a review on a social media site using my iPhone. All this aside, I found Shallows to be at turns terrifying and important -- I have felt the internet deeply drain my abilities to concentrate and think creatively, just as Carr argues. I thought that the studies on hyperlinks as mini decisions were very interesting. While the book did sometimes feel a little disorderly, overall I really enjoyed his analysis and hope to continue to cut out overuse of the internet in my daily life.
It's uncomfortably ironic that my first impulse after reading this book was to post a review on Goodreads, in many ways proving Carr's point.
This book begins deceptively simply. You know the premise: the Internet is the new TV, and, like the TV of yore, is rotting our brains. The sheer quantity of information and the speed at which we're prompted to process it invites a shallower understanding of the content, making the experience of the Internet unlike the deeper experience of reading a book. Simple.
What's interesting, is the effect that our experience has on the rest of our lives--not just the time we spend on line, but even the time we spend reading books. A bit technical for some, possibly, Carr elaborately carves out a picture of both how and why the Internet is re-wiring our brains. Additionally, in anticipatory response to would-be naysayers of his premise and unadulterated technophiles, he spends a great deal of time considering the advent of writing and writing technologies, taking great care to illustrate writing's role in deeper thinking and the Internet's contrary role. Thus, The Shallows isn't a diatribe against technology, by any stretch, but rather both explication and warning about plasticity and fragility of our minds.
This book begins deceptively simply. You know the premise: the Internet is the new TV, and, like the TV of yore, is rotting our brains. The sheer quantity of information and the speed at which we're prompted to process it invites a shallower understanding of the content, making the experience of the Internet unlike the deeper experience of reading a book. Simple.
What's interesting, is the effect that our experience has on the rest of our lives--not just the time we spend on line, but even the time we spend reading books. A bit technical for some, possibly, Carr elaborately carves out a picture of both how and why the Internet is re-wiring our brains. Additionally, in anticipatory response to would-be naysayers of his premise and unadulterated technophiles, he spends a great deal of time considering the advent of writing and writing technologies, taking great care to illustrate writing's role in deeper thinking and the Internet's contrary role. Thus, The Shallows isn't a diatribe against technology, by any stretch, but rather both explication and warning about plasticity and fragility of our minds.
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Nicholas Carr's The Shallows presents an ambitious premise: that the Internet is altering our brains in ways that diminish our ability to think deeply and critically. While I appreciate Carr's effort to examine the cognitive implications of our hyper-connected lives, the book itself falls into the trap it warns against—becoming tedious and repetitive, much like the shallow, skimming culture it criticizes.
From the outset, Carr relies heavily on personal anecdotes and loosely connected studies to make sweeping generalizations. While there’s truth in his argument that technology shapes how we think, he tends to exaggerate its effects and overlook the nuances of individual experiences. For instance, his personal frustration with reading books post-Internet doesn’t necessarily reflect a universal phenomenon, though he projects it as such. This tendency to blur the line between his subjective experience and objective truth weakens his argument.
The book’s central thesis—that the Internet is rewiring our brains for superficial thinking—is supported by research, but Carr often glosses over contradictory findings or alternate explanations. His selective use of evidence feels more like fearmongering than thoughtful analysis, and his argument loses credibility because of it. For example, Carr’s romanticization of a pre-digital age, where people supposedly enjoyed deep, uninterrupted thought, is idealistic and ignores the historical reality that information overload and distraction were not invented by the Internet.
What ultimately frustrates me about The Shallows is that it drags on far longer than necessary. Carr hammers home the same points repeatedly, beating the concept of neuroplasticity into the ground as if his audience needs constant reminding. Ironically, the book’s drawn-out nature made me want to skim through large sections, a behavior it claims the Internet has conditioned me to adopt.
Carr's work is undoubtedly thought-provoking, but it’s marred by overkill, oversimplification, and an alarmist tone. Had he condensed his arguments into a shorter, more focused essay, the impact would have been far greater. Instead, The Shallows leaves readers stuck in the shallow end, waiting for something deeper that never arrives.
From the outset, Carr relies heavily on personal anecdotes and loosely connected studies to make sweeping generalizations. While there’s truth in his argument that technology shapes how we think, he tends to exaggerate its effects and overlook the nuances of individual experiences. For instance, his personal frustration with reading books post-Internet doesn’t necessarily reflect a universal phenomenon, though he projects it as such. This tendency to blur the line between his subjective experience and objective truth weakens his argument.
The book’s central thesis—that the Internet is rewiring our brains for superficial thinking—is supported by research, but Carr often glosses over contradictory findings or alternate explanations. His selective use of evidence feels more like fearmongering than thoughtful analysis, and his argument loses credibility because of it. For example, Carr’s romanticization of a pre-digital age, where people supposedly enjoyed deep, uninterrupted thought, is idealistic and ignores the historical reality that information overload and distraction were not invented by the Internet.
What ultimately frustrates me about The Shallows is that it drags on far longer than necessary. Carr hammers home the same points repeatedly, beating the concept of neuroplasticity into the ground as if his audience needs constant reminding. Ironically, the book’s drawn-out nature made me want to skim through large sections, a behavior it claims the Internet has conditioned me to adopt.
Carr's work is undoubtedly thought-provoking, but it’s marred by overkill, oversimplification, and an alarmist tone. Had he condensed his arguments into a shorter, more focused essay, the impact would have been far greater. Instead, The Shallows leaves readers stuck in the shallow end, waiting for something deeper that never arrives.
Good read, for those who can finish it uninterrupted; of course. The references are of great value as well.
One of my early jobs was for Pearson as a Marker. Nice to see the reference, worried a bit though by total automation of its marking process.
One of my early jobs was for Pearson as a Marker. Nice to see the reference, worried a bit though by total automation of its marking process.