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The Shallows: How the Internet Is Changing the Way We Think, Read and Remember Paperback – July 1, 2011

by Nicholas G. Carr (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars 15 customer reviews
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 288 pages
  • Publisher: Atlantic; Main edition (July 1, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1848872275
  • ISBN-13: 978-1848872271
  • Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.8 x 7.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,029,179 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsPancake minds, scatter brains and the slow flow as the antidote
By Ron Immink on March 30, 2012
Format: Paperback
A few month ago we read "Future minds" by the author of one of our favourite books on future trends, which is "Future files". In the book, Richard Watson talks about the dangers of the internet, particularly for kids. He refers to the current youth as "screenagers" and how constant exposure to social media basically creates scatter-brains with no ability for retention and deep thought. We found that a bit disturbing, but then found some other books (such as "Fun Inc." and "The kids are alright") that actually state the computers (and computer games) are actually very good for kids. Better problem solving ability, better attitude to failure, all good stuff.

Then we picked up "The shallows" by Nicholas Carr.

Here are some of the twitters we send out as we read the book and you will get the picture:

* As we come to rely on computers to understand the world, it is our own intelligence that flattens into artificial intelligence

* We are evolving from cultivators of personal knowledge to being hunter-gatherers in the electronic data forest. * 5 hours of Internet is enough to rewire the brain. Imagine what a few years has done to yours

* Heavy use of Google has neurological consequences

* By choosing the computer, we have rejected the single minded concentration of the book and casted our lot with the juggler

* Brain study show that reading is NOT a passive exercise. The reader becomes the book. Do you want to become your browser?

* Once I was a scuba diver in the sea of words, now I zip on the surface as a guy on a jet ski.Read more ›
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4.0 out of 5 starsBetter than I thought
By Bill Deef on February 28, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
I didn't expect so much from this book as I was afraid that the polarization that this issue causes would render the arguments exaggerated.
I was then surprised to find by book's end that I could agree with Carr's thesis. This is because he presents some decent (if now a bit dated) neurological evidence and does confront full on the past claims of anti-technologists. He even deals with the effects of reading (the original reading) on our psyches.
The mistake he makes is when he talks about the effects of scripts on the brain. Here he is out of his depth. For example, he says that when punctuation was introduced our mental abilities changed. Well, he's off when he cites the time of that change, and anyway it seems ridiculously speculative.
I went ahead and bought his latest book, The Glass Cage, because I think this guy has a head on his shoulders and because he writes clearly.
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4.0 out of 5 starsIs the internet rotting our brains?
By Tony Spencer-Smith on October 13, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
The digital era has brought extraordinary boons, like rapid research, a voice for the oppressed - and the instant access to books of the likes of Kindle. But there is serious concern that endless surfing leads to a new sort of mentality that is strong on novelty and low on deep thought. Nicholas Carr is a very good writer, and he admits that even his ability to read and write books has been impaired by the endless distractions of the web. This is not a diatribe, it is a carefully reasoned book full of scientific research. And the big question he asks is: are we dumbing ourselves down?
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4.0 out of 5 starsTrulythought provoking
By R on September 28, 2013
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
A fascinating look at not just how technology impacts on us today but how small things change life as we know it.
Bit deep in places but well worth hanging in there. I do not whole hearted agree with the thoughts presented but believe the role technology is playing in changing our lives is significant. After all is it not technology that sees me writing this book report without a grade from a teacher. Would never do this otherwise.
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4.0 out of 5 starsIN depth.
By mommyx4 on February 11, 2013
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
Awesome book if you want to read about how you need to step outside of your "normal" perspective. Really good. Maybe a little over the average persons head if you want something for a relaxing weekend read maybe try something a little less heavy but I personal liked it. It was recommended to me by a friend who was reading it for coursework at a local college.
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5.0 out of 5 starsAn exellent book
By Amazon Customer on January 2, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition
Well resesrched and written and extremely interesting to understand the history of our technological and cultural development.
A bit long winded in parts, but not a deal breaker. The content is solid and engaging.
I was disappointed that there were no practical suggestions on how to mitigate the risks and limit the negative changes being brought upon us
A great read though and would highly recommend the book. I plan to read it again with pen and paper in hand in order to assist my memory retention
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5.0 out of 5 starsWhy no Kindle version?
By AcrylicRainbow on April 1, 2011
Format: Hardcover
I have found the book most insightful and a little disturbing at times. I am only on page 89/276 but I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the human brain and how it interacts with changing technologies.

One question - why no Kindle version? Is it intentional, given the subject of the book?
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5.0 out of 5 starsAn Important Book
By John on May 8, 2013
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
Should be read by every grandparent, parent, and all high school and college students. We need to understand the impact of the digital life which is shaping all our worlds!

I have sent this book to my children who are all parents and to several friends.

John Sarbacker
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