From the pianoforte to the smartphone, each wave of tech has sparked fears of brain rot. But the problem isn’t our ability to focus—it’s what we’re focussing on.
In a sense, what attention alarmists seek is protection from a competition that they’re losing.
I used to read encyclopedias and instruction manuals for pleasure as a child. As an adult, I now read Wikipedia, tech white papers, and scientific journal articles. You absolutely can read for pleasure online. It’s not all garbage.
Anyone who equates reading anything on the internet with “avid reading” has never read for pleasure in their life.
I used to read encyclopedias and instruction manuals for pleasure as a child. As an adult, I now read Wikipedia, tech white papers, and scientific journal articles. You absolutely can read for pleasure online. It’s not all garbage.