Carr points out that our mind is constantly in a state of distraction, so reading a book and being able to comprehend it was quite amazing when it was accomplished by nearly everyone.

Intellectual technology is described in the book as something that is used to further our own understanding of our own mind, much like writing did when it became commonplace. However, this technology, unlike other technologies, doesn't necessarily expand pur abilities to do other things - wasting time on the Internet stifles the amount of time that could be used for the types of creative growth. With the Internet came a new understanding of the things around us. Carr explains that the writing equipment that someone uses subliminally changes the way they are thinking - for example, when you are handwriting something, you are more easily to attain it than when you are typing it.Īs we age, our interpretation of the things around us will change, and the Internet is a bit like artificial aging in that respect. The next chapter of the book describes a lot about the neuroplasticity of the brain - that is, its ability to change based on the situation it is in. Much research has been done on the topic, and it appears that the multitude of data stored on the Internet allows users to quickly shuffle through information, which shortens the long term human attention span. One day, Carr came to the realization that the Internet was not as great as it may seem at first, because it causes users to lose focus. Born in 1959, he grew up in a world without many computers, so his childhood and adulthood were separated by the amount of technology or lack thereof. The Shallows begins with the author, Nicolas Carr, describing his life and reasons for writing the book. Written by people who wish to remain anonymous

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Carr the shallows