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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
Smoothly though also rather condescendingly written, Carr uses lots of Big History and Hard Science to lend credence to his thesis that the internet is empirically making us stupider. He romanticizes what he describes as 'linear silent reading' and 'sustained concentration,' neither of which I find terribly convincing categories, and only incidentally connects his critique to any analysis of the political economy underlying the shapes digital culture have taken. Without any historical-materialist basis, the book comes across as an aging elitist bemoaning his loss of cultural capital.
I found it very interesting to learn about how our brains function on a molecular level and how the internet is actually changing our brains. I like how the author shows the good and bad that technology advances have brought about. Its not necessarily a bad thing that our brains are changing, but I think its good to realize what we are losing in return. That's what this book shows you. I also enjoyed the bits of history shared throughout the book.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
The title does not accurately reflect the content of the book. This is more like a history of all technology and its effect on humans. A less dramatic title, sure, but much more accurate. Also it put me to sleep on more than one occasion. Two days ago I used it to help me fall asleep so... 3 stars.
Almost a DNF. The author seemingly writes to a younger audience who doesn't remember life before the Internet, so it initially came off as a "back in my days" except those were my days too. I felt a little put-off by the "I know more than you" opener. While good points and suggestions were made throughout the book, I felt like the author went off his own outline a bit and could have synched this up to be less repetitive and more focused. The author also overgeneralized and over assumed readership. This book might be great for a younger crowd but it didn't do it for me, because, unlike his assumed readership, I don't usually take my phone into the bathroom.
medium-paced
I feel like the author is glorifying the past and speculating on what the future would look like, and it's bleak. I don't think he was utterly wrong, but it all just comes off as judgemental, not informative.
Discuss: This book took me a month to read because I have internet caused ADD and can't manage to focus on something long enough to process it correctly.
Basically, this book terrified me. I guess in a good way. I realize that though I spend lots of time on the internet, I also read a significant amount, but this book made me think about the way I am reading and how I am consuming information in general. It was a good, thought-provoking treatise on how the internet is changing the way we think and interact with media, and how we need to consider not only the positives but the possible negatives as well.
I enjoyed this book a lot, but like I said, it took some time to process, and there were definitely some parts which were a little bit scientific and dry for me, and that I couldn't understand at all. Otherwise, it was great!
Basically, this book terrified me. I guess in a good way. I realize that though I spend lots of time on the internet, I also read a significant amount, but this book made me think about the way I am reading and how I am consuming information in general. It was a good, thought-provoking treatise on how the internet is changing the way we think and interact with media, and how we need to consider not only the positives but the possible negatives as well.
I enjoyed this book a lot, but like I said, it took some time to process, and there were definitely some parts which were a little bit scientific and dry for me, and that I couldn't understand at all. Otherwise, it was great!
This book was absolutely unbelievable and I would reccomend this to anyone opposed to the technological plague of the 21st century. I read this originally thinking that it was going to be much more of an opinion piece but was thrilled to find that it was so well researched. This read like a master's thesis and used so much comparative science. Though shedding negative light on the over use of the internet and technology I found it to be rather unbiased and approached mostly through the scientifc aspect of things. I was blown away to see how the book even started as far back as clocks being invented and how this shaped our perception of like. I could go on and on. This book is fantastic. Read it and then go outside and enjoy your life.
This book is not a raging condemnation of the internet, but a thoughtful look at how technology from past to present has altered our brains. It was fascinating and less terrifying than anticipated because I can already see how we as a culture have started to rally against some of the side effects of our new technologically based society in the 8 years since the book was published. The fact that the information was somewhat dated actually added to the experience of the book.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
I'm not too much of a fan of the "quickly gloss over all of human history to make your point" approach, which is what most of the first half of the book is, but he does make some great points later, so all is well. A good case for continuing to read books, write, and engage in deep thought.