What the Net does is shift the emphasis of our intelligence, away from what might be called a meditative or contemplative intelligence and more toward what might be called a utilitarian intelligence. The price of zipping among lots of bits of information is a loss of depth in our thinking.
Interpretation
The quote highlights how the internet alters our way of thinking, prioritizing practical intelligence over deep contemplation.
Nicholas G. Carr's quote reflects on the impact of the internet on human intelligence, suggesting that while we gain access to vast amounts of information, we may sacrifice the ability for deep, meditative thinking. This shift towards a more utilitarian form of intelligence means that our cognitive engagement may become superficial, leading to a decline in the depth of our thoughts and insights.
In practice
In a discussion on the effects of technology on learning, this quote serves to illustrate the potential drawbacks of digital information consumption.
We don’t constrain our mental powers when we store new long-term memories. We strengthen them. With each expansion of our memory comes an enlargement of our intelligence. The Web provides a convenient and compelling supplement to personal memory - but when we start using the Web as a substitute for personal memory, by bypassing the inner processes of consolidation, we risk emptying our minds of their riches.
The rate of human invention is faster, and the rate of cultural loss is slower, in areas occupied by many competing societies with many individuals and in contact with societies elsewhere.
I don't condone anyone causing damage in my name, or doing anything malicious in support of my plight. There are more productive ways to help me. As a hacker myself, I never intentionally damaged anything.
We make the best phone, we don't make the most phones.
It seemed really amazing that you could write a few lines of code and have it learn to do interesting things.
Every day we are paying more for energy than we should due to poor insulation, inefficient lights, appliances, and heating and cooling equipment - money we could save by investing in energy efficiency.
You can't defend. You can't prevent. The only thing you can do is detect and respond.
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