Is the internet changing us? Is it making us forgetful? Less attentive? What is it taking away from us? Is it making us shallow? These are the fundamental questions Nicholas Carr puts forth in his latest book, The Shallows. In it he argues that yes, the internet, among other technologies, is indeed changing the way we think. He’s essentially reviving the age old argument that inevitably arises at a time when a new technology fundamentally changes society. It’s the lamentation of Socrates at the birth of the written word; the musings of T.S. Eliot on the invention of the typewriter.

It’s a poignant work to bring into our sphere of thought. Countless people switch over to email, Facebook, Youtube, and Google without a single thought as to what effect this may be having on our thought life. And there aren’t too many voices out there on the subject. Mr. Carr is unique in this respect.

In this book the author argues that the internet is changing the way we think to reflect its own frenzied nature. The internet emphasizes choices; many, many choices. It is this way of locking us into a constant state of distraction that changes the way we think. The argument is that as we remain in this state, we numb the essential human thought capacities of contemplation and reflection. The process of absorbing one’s self into a book requires deep reading. Only when we are able to surrender ourselves and focus our entire being on the flow of a book, do we allow it to absorb into us. This requires lengthy periods of concentration and a dedicated state of mind which the internet does not foster. In fact, it discourages such capacities of the mind. It locks the user instead into a shallow realm of distraction. Web designers want you to browse as many pages as you can in one sitting, and that leaves you drifting in the shallows.

Is the internet changing the way we think? Is it taking some of the richness of our experience away from us? Probably. However, this doesn’t mean that the internet is a terrible technology and that it should be avoided like the plague. The benefits of our increased connectivity are truly remarkable. My hope is that this book will lead people to contemplate their use of the computer and to develop a healthy sense of restraint. It’s the only way for us to adjust to these new technologies without allowing them to diminish our quality of life.  The message is clear:

Never cede what fundamentally makes you human.