As the Internet Rewires Our Brains

When you have about 10 minutes to focus on reading and considering something important, take a look at this: As the Internet Rewires Our Brains by Kurt Cagle at O'Reilly.

Over the past decade a whole new field of study has evolved on the topic of neuroplasticity - the idea that our brains literally reprogram themselves ("re-wire" themselves in a very physical, physiological way) based on external stimuli like physical activity, reading, playing games, etc. It's a very real, scientifically measurable effect.

Given that, a very good question to ask is, "What effects are the Internet and all its associated activities and modalities having on our brains?" It's not just children's brains that will respond to Internet use; adult brains are plastic as well.

You can find all kinds of dire warnings in the media about how the Internet is dumbing down human civilization. Some of that may be true. In his article, Kurt Cagle offers a little bit of balance to that.

On the whole I think Cagle's article is fair and does not get too excited on either end of the argument. There's lots to think about there.