A medium of the most general nature Nicholas Carr – The Shallows – chapter 6A medium of the most general natureThis chapter basically says: “Humans did not invent multitasking because it was good for the brain.We invented it because the machine made distraction profitable.” The internet promised infinite access to knowledge…and accidentally turned half the … Read more
Five a medium of the most general nature Nicholas Carr – The Shallows – Five.Five a medium of the most general nature.This chapter basically says: “The internet did not arrive as one technology.It arrived as ALL technologies at once.” Library.TV.Radio.Newspaper.Phone.Cinema.Office.Social life. Humanity connected everything into one glowing rectangle…and then wondered why nobody could focus anymore. … Read more
The deepening page Nicholas Carr The Shallows 4 the deepening pageThis chapter basically says: “The book did not just store knowledge.It redesigned the human nervous system.” Humans invented deep reading…and accidentally created philosophers, scientists, existential crises, and people who buy too many books because “this one will finally fix me.” Chapter 4 of The Shallows might be … Read more
Nicholas Carr The Shallows 3 tools of the mind.This chapter basically says: “Civilization is just humans outsourcing memory one invention at a time.” First maps remembered the world for us.Then clocks remembered time.Then books remembered thoughts.Now phones remember everything except why we walked into the kitchen. Chapter 3 of The Shallows is probably the most important chapter … Read more
Nicholas Carr The Shallows two a digressionThis chapter basically says: “Humans have always explained the brain using whatever machine they recently invented.” First plumbing.Then clocks.Then steam engines.Now computers. Which probably means future humans will discover consciousness is actually three raccoons operating a biological spreadsheet. This small digression in The Shallows is honestly one of the most interesting … Read more
Vital paths Nicholas Carr The Shallows two vital pathsThis chapter basically says:“Your brain is less like a stone statue…and more like a forest path.” The more often you walk one trail, the easier it becomes —which explains both Beethoven becoming Beethoven and humans instinctively opening YouTube during existential crises. Chapter 2 of The Shallows is fascinating because … Read more
Nicholas Carr The Shallows One Hal and MeThis chapter is basically Nicholas Carr realizing: “I went online to check one thing in 2003…and accidentally outsourced my entire brain.” The internet promised infinite knowledge but somehow turned humans into creatures emotionally unable to read three pages without checking another tab. Chapter 1 of The Shallows starts with one … Read more