Bits Quote by Nicholas G. Carr
“What the Net does is shift the emphasis of our intelligence, away from what might be called a meditative or contemplative intelligence and more toward what might be called a utilitarian intelligence. The price of zipping among lots of bits of information is a loss of depth in our thinking.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains, 2010
The internet encourages quick, utilitarian thinking, reducing deep, contemplative thought.
In simple terms: Internet favors fast utility over deep thinking.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate moments of reflection.
Themes
technology
attention
depth
thinking
Mood
concerned
thoughtful
Type
analytical
critical
When to use this quote
- research
- education
- personal development
- media consumption
Key Concepts
cognitive load
information overload
utilitarianism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance speed with depth?
- What practices restore contemplative thinking?
A Different Perspective
Depth can be regained through intentional slow reading.
![“We thought [with Alix MacKenzie], if those are the kinds of pots from every culture that interest us, why would we think that it should be any different in mid-North America 20th century? And we decided then that our work would center around that sort of utilitarian pottery, and that's what I've…” quote by Warren MacKenzie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/db7/warren-mackenzie-4654_20th-century_we-thought-with-alix-mackenzie-if-those_265640.jpg)
![“Now that practical skills have developed enough to provide adequately for material needs, one of these sciences which are not devoted to utilitarian ends [mathematics] has been able to arise in Egypt, the priestly caste there having the leisure necessary for disinterested research.” quote by Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2ee/aristotle-78_able_now-that-practical-skills-have-developed_114834.jpg)
![“Brad [Dourif] would tell himself that he was not intentionally trying to mimic Jack Nicholson in any way. I think that actually bothers him a little bit. I just think maybe they have similar voices.” quote by David Kirschner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cfe/david-kirschner-22403_bits_brad-dourif-would-tell-himself-that-he-w_478.jpg)
