The South African Civil Society Information Service

Does the Internet Discourage Deep Thinking?

14 Jul 2010

Apparently so. Nicholas Carr, author of The Shallows says neuroscientists have found that there are certain types of activities that have particular influences on our brains. And, the fast paced and intensely repetitive nature of our behavior on the Internet is having a negative effect on our ability to think deeply and reflectively.

Because of the way many of us use the Internet, we are reinforcing those mental functions that make us good at skimming and scanning. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it comes at a cost. On the Internet, there is little "encouragement and reward for more attentive modes of thought, for contemplation, for reflection and deep reading." 

Carr contends, "Neuroscience tells us that if we don't practice different ways of thinking, we begin to lose those, even down to the point that the circuits begin to weaken in our brain, if not eventually dissolve."

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You can find this page online at http://sacsis.org.za/site/article/252.19.