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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Additionally, the soundtrack is couldn’t be a more perfect companion to this film.  A must see.

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.