“As it was true with technologies of the past, the Net changes the balance of our thinking,” says Carr. “We gain a lot, but we lose some important things as well. It encourages multi-tasking, constant stimulus and incessant exchange of messages in a fast-paced environment. And in this, it discourages any type of thinking that requires deep attentiveness for an extended period of time; it discourages screening out distractions.
“One thing we know about the human mind,” he continues, “is that we instinctually crave information. It’s in tune with evolution: If a caveman knew everything about what was going on around him, it increases his chances of survival. But this primitive instinct in a digital environment — where there’s no end to the amount of information — causes us to lose sophisticated levels of thinking.”
Carr will present his book during a talk titled Caught in the Net: How Computers Shape Our Talents and Lives, tonight at 7 p.m. at the Chautauqua Community House, 900 Baseline Road in Boulder. Admission is $12; for more information, contact [email protected] or call 303-440-7666.
Thu., Jan. 10, 7 p.m., 2013