Building on the insights of thinkers from Plato to McLuhan, Carr makes a convincing case that every information technology carries an intellectual ethic — a set of assumptions about the nature of knowledge and intelligence. He explains how the printed book served to focus our attention, promoting deep and creative thought. In stark contrast, the Internet encourages the rapid, distracted sampling of small bits of information from many sources. Its ethic is that of the industrialist, an ethic of speed and efficiency, of optimized production and consumption — and now the Net is remaking us in its own image. We are becoming ever more adept at scanning and skimming, but what we are losing is our capacity for concentration, contemplation, and reflection.
You can read it here.
My internet was down for one week recently and I purposefully did not check email or get on the net elsewhere. What a relief! I found more time for Bible reading and the reading of other things worth reading (i.e., Irenaeus’ On the Apostolic Preaching). I read no blogs, no sports news, no book news, no email discussion lists, etc. I actually spent more time with my family as well. I even drove my boys to and from soccer practice more than once! My wife was astonished.
What did I miss? I suppose I am not an expert on whatever new issue is out there because I did not read four paragraphs and loads of discussion from people who did.
In all seriousness, I am leaning in the direction that the internet is worse for us than TV. At least TV has limits. Also, it’s too easy for someone to go on the internet, read a blog or two or three, or even a thousand, and give the appearance of knowing something about a subject they were ignorant of three days prior. Both TV and the net depersonalize. Everything becomes virtual.
My conclusion? Read books, especially from dead guys whose books are still in print for a reason. 🙂
Dr. Richard Barcellos is associate professor of New Testament Studies. He received a B.S. from California State University, Fresno, an M.Div. from The Master’s Seminary, and a Th.M. and Ph.D. from Whitefield Theological Seminary. Dr. Barcellos is pastor of Grace Reformed Baptist Church, Palmdale, CA. He is author of Trinity & Creation, The Covenant of Works, and Getting the Garden Right. He has contributed articles to various journals and is a member of ETS.
Courses taught for CBTS: New Testament Introduction, Biblical Hermeneutics, Biblical Theology I, Biblical Theology II.
