The Digital Age has been met with skeptical opinions regarding the effect of the internet on the human brain. Carr explores this debate with references from various subjects including history, philosophy, and neuroscience. Before delving into the phenomenon that is the internet he probes into the history of the written tradition and its departure from oral tradition. Thus, he demonstrates the evolution of technologies and their impact on neural pathways and cognition. To explain how modernized information alters our cognitive habits Carr highlights the significance of our initial means of consuming data. Subsequently, he showcases that the internet destabilizes the brain’s capacity to concentrate and contemplate as opposed to former technologies.
The internet is molded around the basis of efficiency, speed, and connectivity intended to ease and aid our day to day activities. Now with the Internet of things that promote this ease of access in all aspects of life multitasking has become the norm. Carr affirms that written tradition forced the brain to sustain focus for longer periods hence better comprehension of printed information. He introduces the idea of neuroplasticity which posits that neural circuits and networks remap to accommodate acquired practices. The Net bombards the user with a manifold of information that fosters skimming, cursory and unfocussed reading habits. Therefore the ability to retain information is reduced drastically as there is a lack of deep thinking and concentration.
Though Carr is skeptical of the internet in the digital age he acknowledges the immeasurable benefits of the invention. Thus, the awareness of this immense value should prompt the current generation to reassess their relationship with the internet. Carr offers the downside to the quick access to modernized information and the constant connectedness that we crave. He raises the question of whether the efficiency and connectedness of the Net are worth the mental passivity it nurtures. Though the long-term effects are yet to be gauged Carr asserts that the internet hardly rewards deep thinking or contemplation but quite the opposite. Therefore implores that for culture to survive and develop the people have to participate actively in internalizing information.
