Shepherd-Post 9

One thing I think Carr discuses well in his book “The Shallows” is when he talks about how the world is changing and is influenced greatly by the type of technology we use and develop. And, more accurately how the brain is changing always, no matter what the age, to accommodate new things. We see this pointed out mainly in chapter two. First, in chapter two he talks about the famous writer Nietzsche who, in conversation with Heinrich Koselitz says, “Our writing equipment takes part in forming our thoughts”(Carr page 19). Carr talks about how the quality of the writing style of this well known man was influenced and changed because he switched from pen and paper to a typewriter. The writing had “a new forcefulness to it” (Carr page 18). I found this terribly intriguing that while we may not think of technology having any hold over us, it in fact it influences us in ways that are so miniscule yet so important; like how a story or poem comes across to the reader. Carr discusses the brain further on in chapter two and describes how when different faculties fail or get lost such as hearing or eyesight, the brain re-maps itself so that those areas are taken over and used for a different purpose like smell or taste. Carr uses the example of the monkeys and the reaching devices as well as dissecting their brains and neurons to show us that this is real. This is simply more proof that as new technologies form our brain reforms to match them.