Chan Nguyen Vong

The Book on Online Monetization Magic Chan Nguyen Vong

Is the Internet changing our brains? What I can prove is that the Internet is changing our habits of thinking, which isn't the same thing as changing our brains. The brain is like any other muscle - if you don't stretch it, it gets both stiff and flabby. But if you exercise it regularly, and cross-train, your brain will be flexible, quick, strong and versatile. In one sense, the Internet is the same as a weight-training machine for the brain, as compared with the free weights provided by libraries and books. Each method has its advantage, but, used properly, one works you harder. Weight machines are directive and enabling: they encourage you to think you've worked hard without necessarily challenging yourself. The Internet can be the same: it often tells us what we think we know, spreading misinformation and nonsense while it's at it. It can substitute surface for depth, imitation for originality, and its passion for recycling would surpass the most committed environmentalist. We've all read the comments that the Internet sounds the death knell of reading, but people read online constantly - we just call it surfing now. What they are reading is changing but it is also true that the Internet increasingly provides a treasure trove of rare books, documents and images, and as long as we have free access to it, then the Internet can certainly be a force for education and wisdom.