How internet has redefined our reading habit ?

What is the biggest difference between reading something on the internet, and reading a book ? When you read a book, you’re more focused, in the flow and probably relaxed; whereas when you’re reading something on the internet you tend to skim the text rather than read it, constantly distracted by the (hyper)links, which take you away from the page you’re reading, thereby breaking the flow. Also, while reading/surfing the net, you tend to flit from one link to another, and most probably never return back to the original article. Most of the people (if not all), tend to read in this fashion on the net. This is one of the consequences of the internet. It has redefined our generations reading habit.

This fact is analysed in excruciating detail by Nicholas Carr, who has written a perceptive essay on this topic, aptly titled: ‘Is Google Making Us Stupid‘. I urge you to try and read this article in one sitting. It is a long article, and if you’re anything like me, you might get fidgety after the third or fourth paragraph, and would try to find the smallest excuse to stray away from the page, by clicking on a link to another article, or check your inbox, or refresh your feed reader. Nicholas Carr’s views on this behaviour are insightful, and really tell us how the internet might have rewired our brain to be constantly distracted. Now, this could be my interpretation, but honestly when was the last time you read a 2 page article without being distracted by your email, or messenger, or probably a link in the article that interests you.

Think about it !

<The image used above has been taken from moriza’s photostream on flickr>