Strategically Communicating

“When we go online, we enter an environment that promotes cursory reading, hurried and distracted thinking, and superficial learning.” 

This concept really stuck with me throughout the reading, considering the times we’re living in. As I get more frustrated with how things are going, while I’m on the internet, I find myself rushing through Facebook posts and the subsequent comment sections. I’m not even sure If I read the entire response, or if I’m just skimming it to find the points I’m most likely to address. The most poignant post is that last clause, “superficial learning.”

Despite constantly studying media, I often forget that the internet is also a medium, because there’s an illusion that the environment is created and tailored to my needs.

Carr doesn’t think it’s impossible to think deeply while surfing the internet, “but that’s not the type of thinking the technology encourages and rewards.” 

In the first few days following the election, I avoided social media completely, but as reality set in and began going back and using it far more frequently. I’ve also been getting a lot more interaction with my posts, averaging around 40 likes per post for the past two days.

Hurried and distracted thoughts produce shallow reactions. I think this is something everyone can relate to. What is it about the Internet’s environment that helps the mind forget that?