If anything, my the internet has led to much deeper thought than any book has given to me. I have a.d.d, so I have a hard time picking up information that is not thrown in my face, topics like this on Youtube, Reddit, Wikipedia (occasionally.) How humans use this savior of knowledge is not my problem. It's harder now looking on Facebook to ignore cool facts than it is simply talking to your friends face to face.
The internet is allowing us to fact check, the increased communication is making us more efficient. If someone is engaged by a book it is because that book has the textual equivalent of fast cuts and exciting scenes. You never hear, "How was that best seller?" - "Oh, you know, a real grinder".
Stupid people are still stupid, distracted people just have their head in a different cloud now. The technology and access to information are tools. Tools don't make you stupid.
Ok, I'm typing this after 1 minute, because the internet's loading too slowly.
Here's the thing:
I may have difficulties focusing my attention on the internet - but not when I am at a live perfomance, or in cinema (as in the good ol' days). TV is just the same kind of addictive distraction, except, if anything, worse.
Reading a text on the internet is about equal to reading it in a book. Just as addictive, just as distracting from "introspection". There are always other books on the shelf.
I don't think he can really say that anyone is losing those deeper and quieter modes of thought. Because if you asked him, I'm sure he'd say that he hasn't lost that type of thinking. He would say that he makes a point to take the time to think that way.
I was listening to the interview and focusing only on it, then the camera turned into the woman and I thought: Wow she looks a bit like Lady Gaga and began to think random things instead of paying attention, and then I realized that this could be true.
Raise your hand if you were checking your email and switching over to different tabs and typing a comment while watching this interview *raising hand*. I think he has a point.
As human beings in the present day, we also have what is called CHOICE. You ~choose~ to turn off the computers and phones, you CHOOSE to sit down and put aside X and Y and Z and focus on eating, sleep, or family, etc.
Or... you choose not to--at any given moment. :)
The advantage is... the internet increases world connectivity, period. Whether that connectivity is "stupid" or "useless" or "life-saving" at times is irrelevant to the point.
@greytale (continuing) I mean this guy seems to present an answer to EVERYTHING she asks. Yeah, no problem! He even "explains" why the Harry Potter books are successful, hahah. Now THAT is some bullshit.
I'm sure he has an explanation for why Shakespeare is so world-reknowned. And don't forget why JRR Tolkien's LOTR novels were so popular.
Anyhow... intelligent people are dealing with technology just fine--just as they always have been over thousands of years--by ADAPTING. Not whining.
@greytale, you seem to propose that the possible disadvantages of the internet are irrelevant. even intelligent people are drawn into the traps of the internet
@nastied Not exactly. You've actually "moved my words around a bit", but I do see where you're going.
Again... the advantage is the increased world connectivity. I did not say that increased inter-connectivity would reduce... let's see... schiesters, thieves, fraud, hatred, government lies (all governments, btw--not just the U.S.), scams, fakes, "waste-of-time" videos / bad info, etc.
All I'm saying is... to say that the internet is definitively ruining us is a little... defeatist. :)
A. Our subconscious learns what is an acceptable amount of time for a given task. Those that used rotary phones experience this. It use to take over a minute to simply dial the number, but now if our speed dial takes longer then 2 seconds we experience a visceral negative reaction
B. Complex ideas take time to articulate; sound bites replace detailed explanations making manipulation your audience easier
Even this 500 word or less comment is severely weaken by brevity
@elnino559 probably. but, it'd have to increase by quite a lot, and have less emphasis on other videos while you're watching in order to produce meaningful results.
Are these changed permanent then? I would've thought that your brain would switch back if you spend less time online and more time reading/socializing, but I'm not sure...
"Great" literature is a matter of subjective thought. Similarly, each individual will have their own mind set which will influence their actions on the internet. People aren't distracted by the internet, they are distracted by their inner needs. It's no secret that these screens give us instant satisfaction, but in it of itself it's a learning process. It's not physics, but it imposes a certain amount of work on the brain. Whether the conversation is of intellectual value depends on your values
If anything, my the internet has led to much deeper thought than any book has given to me. I have a.d.d, so I have a hard time picking up information that is not thrown in my face, topics like this on Youtube, Reddit, Wikipedia (occasionally.) How humans use this savior of knowledge is not my problem. It's harder now looking on Facebook to ignore cool facts than it is simply talking to your friends face to face.
quidnick 1 month ago
FUCK YOU LOL HE`S MAD CUS HE`S UGLY AS FUCK
marcocarlo25 3 months ago
I'm wondering if this guy is just mad cuz he's got a book out and the internet has killed both the music and writing industries.
The internet is our freedom from product placement, oprah, Fox news, and all other shows that do nothing more than dumb down society.
akaiYaMa9 5 months ago
The internet is allowing us to fact check, the increased communication is making us more efficient. If someone is engaged by a book it is because that book has the textual equivalent of fast cuts and exciting scenes. You never hear, "How was that best seller?" - "Oh, you know, a real grinder".
Stupid people are still stupid, distracted people just have their head in a different cloud now. The technology and access to information are tools. Tools don't make you stupid.
douggard 5 months ago
@AaronBurhoe
I didn't ;)
twooffour 5 months ago
Ok, I'm typing this after 1 minute, because the internet's loading too slowly.
Here's the thing:
I may have difficulties focusing my attention on the internet - but not when I am at a live perfomance, or in cinema (as in the good ol' days). TV is just the same kind of addictive distraction, except, if anything, worse.
Reading a text on the internet is about equal to reading it in a book. Just as addictive, just as distracting from "introspection". There are always other books on the shelf.
twooffour 5 months ago
I don't think he can really say that anyone is losing those deeper and quieter modes of thought. Because if you asked him, I'm sure he'd say that he hasn't lost that type of thinking. He would say that he makes a point to take the time to think that way.
AWilberforce 5 months ago
I was listening to the interview and focusing only on it, then the camera turned into the woman and I thought: Wow she looks a bit like Lady Gaga and began to think random things instead of paying attention, and then I realized that this could be true.
crlospwr420 6 months ago 2
@crlospwr420
Yea, that's how the brain works.
twooffour 5 months ago
I think this guy just said the internet is for women. :p
davitodude 8 months ago
Raise your hand if you were checking your email and switching over to different tabs and typing a comment while watching this interview *raising hand*. I think he has a point.
HoneyLemonTee 11 months ago
@HoneyLemonTee
Well, I'm usually able to still hear the points, so if anything that's a strength, isn't it ;)
twooffour 5 months ago
I think using the internet a lot requires an intellectual goal
davem876 11 months ago
This argument is completely ridiculous.
As human beings in the present day, we also have what is called CHOICE. You ~choose~ to turn off the computers and phones, you CHOOSE to sit down and put aside X and Y and Z and focus on eating, sleep, or family, etc.
Or... you choose not to--at any given moment. :)
The advantage is... the internet increases world connectivity, period. Whether that connectivity is "stupid" or "useless" or "life-saving" at times is irrelevant to the point.
greytale 1 year ago
@greytale (continuing) I mean this guy seems to present an answer to EVERYTHING she asks. Yeah, no problem! He even "explains" why the Harry Potter books are successful, hahah. Now THAT is some bullshit.
I'm sure he has an explanation for why Shakespeare is so world-reknowned. And don't forget why JRR Tolkien's LOTR novels were so popular.
Anyhow... intelligent people are dealing with technology just fine--just as they always have been over thousands of years--by ADAPTING. Not whining.
greytale 1 year ago
@greytale, you seem to propose that the possible disadvantages of the internet are irrelevant. even intelligent people are drawn into the traps of the internet
nastied 8 months ago
@nastied Not exactly. You've actually "moved my words around a bit", but I do see where you're going.
Again... the advantage is the increased world connectivity. I did not say that increased inter-connectivity would reduce... let's see... schiesters, thieves, fraud, hatred, government lies (all governments, btw--not just the U.S.), scams, fakes, "waste-of-time" videos / bad info, etc.
All I'm saying is... to say that the internet is definitively ruining us is a little... defeatist. :)
greytale 8 months ago
This problem is two fold;
A. Our subconscious learns what is an acceptable amount of time for a given task. Those that used rotary phones experience this. It use to take over a minute to simply dial the number, but now if our speed dial takes longer then 2 seconds we experience a visceral negative reaction
B. Complex ideas take time to articulate; sound bites replace detailed explanations making manipulation your audience easier
Even this 500 word or less comment is severely weaken by brevity
Hopeful71 1 year ago
@AaronBurhoe Man, I had Skype, Facebook, a couple of other you tube videos and Google Earth open while I listened to this. Unbelievable eh?
erdemoz1 1 year ago
so, if google increases the maximum length of a youtube video, we will have deeper thoughts?
elnino559 1 year ago 5
@elnino559 probably. but, it'd have to increase by quite a lot, and have less emphasis on other videos while you're watching in order to produce meaningful results.
Griffo569 1 year ago
Are these changed permanent then? I would've thought that your brain would switch back if you spend less time online and more time reading/socializing, but I'm not sure...
Ricardo72 1 year ago
@Ricardo72 you can almost definitely reverse it by changing your habits. The brain adapts to situations.
Griffo569 1 year ago
yeah, so don't get rid of internet get rid of work innit
welfare + internet = genius, happiness etc.
trust me, give it a try
; )
natmanprime 1 year ago
"Great" literature is a matter of subjective thought. Similarly, each individual will have their own mind set which will influence their actions on the internet. People aren't distracted by the internet, they are distracted by their inner needs. It's no secret that these screens give us instant satisfaction, but in it of itself it's a learning process. It's not physics, but it imposes a certain amount of work on the brain. Whether the conversation is of intellectual value depends on your values
MightyHeadache 1 year ago