Notes on a Life, by Eleanor Coppola is a compilation of the journal entries from Francis Ford Coppola’s wife. She shares moments from her families’ lives. It is beautifully written and an intimate glimpse behind the scenes of celebrity. It made me want to eat well, drink well and travel more often to far away places. An enjoyable book.
Filed under: Books | Tags: Books, brain, Google, internet, online, Shallows
The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains is a book by Nicolas Carr that provides a history of how our brains process and absorb information delivered in evolving channels from oral storytelling, to the written word, from broadcast media to now through the web. The impetus for the book was a 2008 article in The Atlantic titled “Is Google Making Us Stupid?” So, the premise of the book is the possibility that our continued digital media consumption in bits and bites could be diminishing our capacity to understand and process complex issues the require in-depth information analysis. The conclusion, however, is not that our intelligence is waning, but instead that our faculties are changing, even evolving.
The Brain Changes as It Needs to Change
Through the first few chapters of the book, we learn that our brains are amazingly adept at adapting to these changes. The brain actually re-wires itself to deal with the new experiences: “Evolution has given us a brain that can literally change its mind–over and over again.” Experts quoted in the book support this fact:
“Our neurons are always breaking old connections and forming new ones, and brand-new nerve cells are always being created. ‘The brain,’ observes Olds, ‘has the ability to reprogram itself on the fly, altering the way it functions.’”
“‘If we stop exercising our mental skills,’ writes Doidge, ‘we do not just forget them: the brain map space for those skills is turned over to the skills we practice instead.’”
Are We More or Less Creative as a Result?
Our brains become more accustomed to cursory scanning of data for relevant bits of information; in turn, it becomes more difficult for the brain to focus on long-form, single-source reading. This is not a bad thing, as we are able to gather the same amount of information, but now diversify the sources from which that information comes. However, a question was posed about the stifling of creativity as a result of reduced focused on reading as a meditative act. Many of those quoted in the book felt the opposite was true:
“Friedman told me…that he’s ‘never been more creative’ than he has been recently, and he attributes that ‘to my blog and the ability to review/scan “tons” of information on the web.’”
“Karp has come to believe that reading lots of short, linked snippets online is a more efficient way to expand his mind than reading ’250-page books’…”
“Muses Davis, ‘The Internet may have made me a less patient reader, but I think that in many ways, it has made me smarter. More connections to documents, artifacts, and people means more external influences on my thinking and thus on my writing.’”
Conclusion
History has shown that our brains adapt to the way information is processed: we did it when converting from oral storytelling to the written word and we are doing it as we convert from the written word to the digital word.
Recommendation
Read The Shallows. It is a quick, interesting and relevant read right now.
The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains is a book by Nicolas Carr that provides a history of how our brains process and absorb information delivered in evolving channels from oral storytelling, to the written word, from broadcast media to now through the web. The impetus for the book was a 2008 article in The Atlantic titled “Is Google Making Us Stupid?” So, the premise of the book is the possibility that our continued digital media consumption in bits and bites could be diminishing our capacity to understand and process complex issues the require in-depth information analysis. The conclusion, however, is not that our intelligence is waning, but instead that our faculties are changing, even evolving.
Filed under: Technology | Tags: livescribe, notebook, pen, pulse, sync, Technology
The Livescribe Pulse smartpen is a digital ink pen that, when paired with the associated paper, allows for an electronic copy of your handwritten notes to be stored in its built-in flash drive. Additionally, if desired, it will record audio associated with the written notes. In my effort to eliminate paper and clutter from my office space, I started using this device about six months ago. Aside from minor inconveniences (noted below), I have been very pleased with the outcome and look forward to future updates of this device.
Why it is cool:
- The notebook looks similar to a traditional Moleskin notebooks – compact size, contemporary black cover, elastic band to keep it shut.
- After syncing with your computer, your notes are organized by notebook and page, with images of the pages that you can zoom in on to review in detail.
- The notebooks have additional functions inside the cover for added convenience: calculator, time, date, battery life.The search functions searches your handwriting for words. Way cool.
- The audio recordings align with your note taking, allowing you to go back to an exact word and hear what was being said as you wrote that word.
- There is a convert to text feature, but I haven’t figured out how to work it yet. I think it is like an add-on app, but I can’t make it work.
What I would like to see in the next version:
- Ability to tag individual pages of notes for future searches.
- Sleeker pen design; the current version is bulky and practically screams “notice me” in every meeting.
- Ability export selected pages to PDFs for sharing with others. There is a share online feature, but that is cumbersome.
Filed under: Books | Tags: Books, Clinton, Edwards, election, Game Change, McCain, Obama, Palin, politics, president
“Game Change” is the much discussed book by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin, released a couple of weeks ago. This behind-the-scenes, intimate look at the 2008 presidential race puts forth the innermost thoughts of the candidates and those that worked on the campaigns. It is from this book that Harry Reid’s statement about Obama’s lack of “negro dialect” sprung into the spotlight of political pundits.
The story reads like novel, but one in which you already know the characters. Shock, intrigue and emotion are peppered throughout the pages. If you were even vaguely interested in the presidential campaigns of 2008, you will enjoy this book.
“The City and The City” by China Mielville is a mystery novel with a peculiar premise. There are two cities, side-by-side, yet separated by a highly guarded border. The city inhabitants are strictly prohibited from interacting with each other across that border. In fact, they must go so far as to “unsee” each other when walking side-by-side down streets that are split between the two cities. Any interaction across the border results in “breach.”
The story is told by Inspector Tyador Borlú, the detective assigned to investigate the death of a woman whose body turns up in his city, Beszel. His investigation leads him to the neighboring city, Ul Qoma, where his life changes forever. Conspiracy is rampant and the plot twists and turns.
The descriptions of the differences between the two cities are intricate and fascinating. The fear of breach among the citizens of both cities is complex and surprising. The people must fight instincts of human interaction to live within the forced worlds of these two opposing cities.
Filed under: Movies | Tags: Jude Law, Movies, Robert Downey, Sherlock Holmes
I have been anxiously awaiting Sherlock Holmes for months. I was not disappointed. Guy Ritchie directing Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law is a girl’s dream. Downey’s performance as Holmes is beguiling: he is trouble, we know it and we like him anyway. Law plays the academic Watson, which makes him less alluring, but still charming.
While the film may not win any awards for stellar performances, it is great fun with intrigue, action and mystery. Definitely a enjoyable way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Go see it.
Filed under: Books | Tags: Audrey Niffenegger, book review, Books, Her Fearful Symmetry, reading, Time Traveler's Wife
“Her Fearful Symmetry” is the second book by Audry Niffenegger, author also of the popular “The Time Traveler’s Wife.” I read this book on a recommendation from a co-worker. His exact words: “This is not the most well-written book I have ever read, but the plot is different and surprising. It takes a lot to surprise me in plot.” This was enough to make me want to read it. (Thanks, KF, for the recommendation.)
This was a completely enjoyable read. Much like “The Time Traveler’s Wife,” the plot is nothing like I have ever experienced before. I was confused much of the time, not sure where this story would be going. I was angry with characters and angry with the outcome. Everyone does not live happily ever after. There is no closure. But, it was a page turner. I was engaged every second I was reading. While this is not a high-level, intellectual read, it is what makes reading fun.
People vs. ghosts, family vs. love, death vs. life, youth vs. age, obligation vs. freedom – it is all present in this book. Read it.
Up in the Air, starring George Clooney is at its core, about loneliness. Clooney plays Ryan Bingham, a corporate employee whose career requires him to interact with people at a deeply personal level during their most trying time in life–being released from their jobs–yet, he is a person that prides himself on isolation from personal relationships. He spends most of his days in the air, in airports or hotels.
Bingham finds himself questioning his chosen lifestyle after he meets a woman he can connect with, attends his sister’s wedding and travels with a young female co-worker that believes in personal connections. But it takes no time at all for him to realize his chosen path was the safest route for protecting those fragile human emotions: the woman is married, his sister has found a substitution for him during his absences and that female co-worker has her own heart crushed.
Ultimately he resumes his lonely, traveling life. And we feel sad and lonley by the conclusion of the film.
The highly anticipated Where the Wild Things Are finally arrived in Little Rock this past weekend. It was absolutely beautiful. The emotion that little Max displays–the anger, the confidence, the arrogance of a child–are wonderfully portrayed and truly felt by the audience.
Additionally, the soundtrack is couldn’t be a more perfect companion to this film. A must see.
“Sag Harbor” by Colson Whitehead is a novel about an African-American teenager who is an anomaly at his private New York City school and his vacation town of Sag Harbor. The book takes place during one of those summers spent at Sag Harbor. It is a coming-of-age story as key life events happen this summer for Benji: first job, first kiss, “being in charge” of his little brother rather than his best friend, outgrowing the name Benji.
The novel is beautifully written, but my favorite thing about reading it was the nostalgia I felt for my youth and the 1980s. The book is set in 1985 and references from ’80s pop culture abound. These references had me smiling throughout the read: New Coke, mix tapes recorded from the radio, Member’s Only jackets, and The Cosby Show.
I enjoyed reading from the point-of-view of a teenage boy; the self-doubt, social challenges and perception of the world around him are similar to those that teenage girls feel, but with a macho twist. But, Benji is a bit of a nerd (self-proclaimed) and gives all his encounters a humorous edge.
