Generally, people who were born before the 90s’ behaviors are very different from the behavior of the ones who were born from the 90s to the 21^st Century. It is as if they ware opposites. The older ones seem wiser, have more patience, think and reason about what they see, hear from other people, and also what they live. In other words, Elders give more value to those basic skills of learning of human beings. And when it comes to looking for sources, they would prefer consulting the original source and the author(s) of it. Whereas, the younger generation lives according to what they see on their computer. Thus, in his Book, “The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains“, Nicholas Carr tries to identify technology’s influence on human behavior. To do so, he explores areas such as technology addiction, brain plasticity, and memory.

What Most People Ignore About Technology

The impact of technology on human behavior is a topic of increasing relevance in our rapidly evolving digital world. With each passing generation, we witness significant shifts in attitudes and behaviors toward technology. And so does the way we interact with the world around us. Nicholas Carr’s book provides valuable insights into these changes. He sheds light on the profound effects of technology addiction, brain plasticity, and memory on human cognition and behavior.

Technology Addiction: The Modern Dilemma

Carr’s personal experiences serve as a poignant reminder of the addictive nature of technology. As he recounts his transition from a lover of books to a “word processor” chained to his computer screen, we are confronted with the sobering reality of technology’s grip on our lives. The ease and convenience of digital tools often come at a cost. We find ourselves increasingly reliant on machines for tasks that were once performed with patience and care. This shift towards instant gratification and constant stimulation has significant implications for our cognitive functioning and emotional well-being.

Technology addiction is a growing problem. To begin with, Nicholas Carr tells his own life experience before and after machines. As a computer illiterate, he enjoyed and had the patience to read books. But, as soon as Carr started using machines to write and read books, he lost his fondness for reading books. Because he felt he “… had become … a word processor” when he was editing text using the computer (Shallows 13). And, the more he was using the machine, the more he was becoming addicted to the machine. “I found I could no longer write or revise anything on paper” he states (Shallows 13). Consequently, the machines reduced Carr’s performance in a way. Because he wouldn’t want to spend time reading or writing books as he used to. Moreover, he became attached to the computer. It was only getting harder for him to do his work without it.

Another example would be the experiment led in 1969 by Herbert Krugman on the effect of TV on the brain. Not only results showed that the brain changes from a state of “active, logical thought” to a passive state. Which is similar to the state of mind of a dreaming person (I Am Awake). But also revealed that this shift of brain states occurs as soon as the person starts watching the TV. Then the brain gets back to its original state when the subject stops watching the TV. If we consider the amount of time people spend watching screens, we may find it very significant. That is to say that people’s brains are less used than they are supposed to be. While not using one’s brain is considered as being non-intelligent. In other words, watching TV too often can dull the spectator.

Likewise, nowadays, social media has become so involved in humans’ lives that it has become an essential part of it. On the positive side, “devices have made the lives of millions of people much easier” (Cellular Telephones: Have Cellular Telephones Had a Positive Influence on Modern Society?).  Indeed, technology has brought more job opportunities and more easy and efficient ways to communicate and work. On the negative side, “Cell phones can interfere with our ability to drive cars, enjoy nature, and even interact with one another in a civilized way …” (Cellular Telephones: Have Cellular Telephones Had a Positive Influence on Modern Society?). For instance, it has become a huge deal to prevent students from using their telephones while in class. Also, many car accidents due to device usage are being reported currently. Not to mention the way, the young generation, instead of talking to people around them, would rather chat or view photos and videos of people who are far away from them. Hence, face-to-face communication is being replaced by face-to-screen interactions. People laugh and smile at their cameras and talk to their micros more than they do with real humans. As a result, since a very important part of humans communication is body language, people are losing their communication skills, and that leads to big misunderstandings.

Furthermore, similarly to the attachment Car had for his computer, social media became a kind of home for the young generation. As it is a place where they feel free to share their lives, look at others’ posts, and communicate. Plus, the Net is a distraction tool because once into the web, people lose track of time, and, sometimes, even the environment they are in. For this reason, people get addicted to the Net and attached to their devices in such a way that losing a telephone makes young boys and girls as distressed as if they have lost a close friend or a partner. And when they are not online, they feel lost. “If they stop sending messages, they risk becoming invisible,” Carr says (118). In short “The various social media platforms that are popular today lend themselves to promoting anxiety disorders …” (Social Media Can Cause or Worsen Anxiety Disorders).

The Brain’s Remarkable Adaptability

One of the most striking revelations from Carr’s exploration is the concept of brain plasticity—the brain’s remarkable ability to adapt and rewire itself in response to external stimuli. This principle, encapsulated by the phrase “cells that fire together wire together,” underscores the profound impact of our behaviors and habits on the structure and function of our brains. As we immerse ourselves in the digital realm, our brains undergo subtle yet profound changes, reshaping our neural pathways and altering our cognitive processes. This supports the idea of behavior change due to activities performed by an individual. If this theory is applied to the individual who watches TV, it’s clear that his or her brain will change its wiring. Which, in turn, will result in a change in the person’s behavior in the long run. Similarly, a teenager who spends all his or her time sending text messages will, in the end, lose the ability to communicate with human beings and develop a richer knowledge of using telephones and computers. Another reason for the excessive use of technology is that “The Net also provides a high-speed system for delivering responses and rewards …” (118). This is to say that using the internet is a reinforced behavior by the Net itself. Every time a person clicks on a link, a page opens up; everything an individual searches appears in many ways; and there are millions of tools quickly available to do things such as editing photos, videos, texts, etc. The more a person uses the Net the more they want to keep using it because of its efficiency. Thus, since “… Our [brain cells] are always breaking old connections and forming new ones …”, at the expense of getting things done faster and easier with the use of the Net, people lose their skills for reading printed books, thinking logically, and so on.

The Paradox of Choice: Information Overload and Memory

Memory is involved in each and all of the activities an individual does. Carr talks about different components of memory, namely, short-term memory, long-term memory, and working memory. Plus, a schema is a mental concept formed when information, perceived by the senses in the short-term memory, is judged as important and transferred through the working memory, which is a person’s conscious mind, to the long-term memory to be stored for a long period. In other words, a schema is the person’s knowledge.

Although an individual’s senses are aware of all the details of the environment the person is in, that information is lost after a very short period – within a few seconds. In addition, only two to four things are stored in the long-term memory through the working memory at a time. However, a single web page hosts dozens of links to other pages and advertisements’ pictures and videos. And most people open several of those pages and advertisement links. Which results in an overload of the working memory and confusion on which information is important to keep in the long-term memory. As Carr states, the Net is “… an environment that promotes cursory reading, hurried and distracted thinking, and superficial learning” (116). Even though the Net provides numerous of tools and information, people don’t get the best of it. Instead of feeding the person with valuable information, the Net prevents the individual from storing anything important but fragments of different contents.

In today’s digital age, we are bombarded with a deluge of information from countless sources, leading to what psychologists refer to as “information overload.” The proliferation of screens and devices has made it easier than ever to access information, yet paradoxically, it has also made it harder to retain and process that information effectively. Carr’s discussion of memory sheds light on this paradox, as he explores the limitations of our working memory and the challenges of navigating an increasingly complex digital landscape. As our attention is divided among multiple screens and stimuli, we struggle to form coherent memories and make sense of the vast sea of information at our fingertips.

Finding Balance in the Digital Age

While the rise of technology presents myriad challenges, it also offers opportunities for growth and innovation. By cultivating mindfulness and intentionality in our technology usage, we can harness the power of digital tools while mitigating their negative effects on our well-being. Strategies such as setting boundaries, practicing digital detoxes, and prioritizing face-to-face interaction can help restore balance in an increasingly digitized world. Ultimately, by acknowledging the profound impact of technology on our lives and taking proactive steps to manage its influence, we can navigate the digital age with greater resilience and purpose.

Conclusion: Embracing Technology Mindfully

With regard to the book The Shallows and what one can see happening in the world right now, it’s evident that people who lived before the digital world behave differently than the new generations. Elders are more patient and less addicted to devices, while teenagers and young adults can’t think of a life without their devices and are not patient at all. Nicholas Carr affirms, “I missed my old brain” (p 16). He realized the changes that occurred in his mind. Technology has made him lose his focus and altered his way of thinking.

In contrast to what was happening in the past decades, currently, people don’t relate by talking, paying a visit to each other, or going to nice places. Instead, people share contacts and profile names to chat online. They don’t talk to people around them but share videos and pictures of what they see and send those to other people around the world. For instance, you can see friends at a gathering, sharing content online, and interacting via online apps, because many don’t know how to maintain a conversation in person. Carol Wright writes “… Evidence exists to quell fears that computers isolate children and diminish social relationships” (Childhood Education). Phones have taken the place of the mouths and ears, and cameras, the eyes. Which makes people so attached to their devices that they can’t spend a second without checking them. Losing a phone is now equal to losing a partner.

The impact of technology on human behavior is a multifaceted phenomenon that warrants careful consideration and reflection. Through Carr’s insightful analysis and personal reflections, we gain a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between technology and cognition. As we navigate the digital landscape, let us strive to embrace technology mindfully, recognizing its potential for both empowerment and detriment. By fostering a healthy relationship with technology and prioritizing human connection and well-being, we can harness the benefits of digital innovation while safeguarding our humanity in an increasingly digital world.

Carr, Nicholas. The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains. Norton & Co., 2011.

“Cellular Telephones: Have Cellular Telephones Had a Positive Influence on Modern Society?” Issues & Controversies, InfoBase Learning, 21 Dec. 2007,http://icof.infobaselearning.com/recordurl.aspx?ID=2605. Accessed 5 Nov. 2017.

Duong, Dana. “Social Media Can Cause or Worsen Anxiety Disorders.” Does the Internet Increase Anxiety?, edited by Tamara Thompson, Greenhaven Press, 2016. At Issue. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, undefined. Accessed 6 Nov. 2017. Originally published as “Anxiety Disorders: Social Media Edition,” Anxiety.org, 26 Feb. 2014.

Wright, Carol. “Children and Technology: Issues, Challenges, and Opportunities.” Childhood Education, vol. 78, no. 1, 2001, p. 37. Academic OneFile, butlerlib.butlercc.edu:2048/login?url=http://go.galegroup.com.butlerlib.butlercc.edu/ps/i.do?p=AONE&sw=w&u=klnb_bucc&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA79474943&asid=1a65814e83de64365fb1f5e32b2d47cb. Accessed 19 Nov. 2017.

“Your Brain Waves Change When You Watch TV.” I Am Awake, 2 Mar. 2015,  www.iamawake.co/your-brain-waves-change-when-you-watch-tv/.