What Do Boko Haram, the Internet, and Books Have in Common?

I recently read, The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains by Nicholas Carr (W.W. Norton & Company). Hint: It’s making us shallow.

The author makes a good case, backed up by solid evidence, that the Internet is causing us to think less deeply (less concentration, contemplation, and reflection). Instead we are becoming more ADHD, as we flit from rapid samplings of small bits of information from many sources.

From Facebook, to Twitter, to Instagram. If you’re not multitasking on the Internet, i.e, talking on a conference call, emailing, logging onto FB, and checking your Tinder updates, all at the same time; you’re so last century, so get on board.

If this is a problem of our culture, and I agree that it is, what is the antidote?

Nicholas Carr would argue that printed books focus our attention and promote deep and creative thought. I will add quiet time to the debate. Silence and electronic-free zones with the old fashioned print media.

Now I’m no “off the gridder.” And I don’t advocate overthrowing the government or living on cooperative reservations.  All I’m saying is, I agree with slowing things down a bit and recognizing the value in books!

A client told me recently that he hadn’t read a book in 20 years! Yikes. Sorry, pal, but no wonder your wife is leaving you. Why do I say that? Because books are a treasure trove of education, inspiration, and upliftment.

They change you.
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When I think back over the course of my life and how books have transformed me, I am truly grateful for the Gutenberg press. Without books I would not have experienced the free expression of the 60s, self-help of the 70s, or spirituality of the 80s.

In the decades since, I’ve enhanced my career, become a better parent, improved my diet, and learned at the feet of spiritual masters.

And now we get to Boko Haram, which, it turns out, loosely translates as, “Western education is forbidden.” No to Western education. Really? If you want to take away books and education I promise you, you will be on the wrong side of history, regardless of how justified you feel you are. Johannes Gutenberg must be turning over in his grave.

So make love, not war. Find the road less travelled.  And for my client, mentioned earlier, whose wife is leaving him? Read a book, man! Then, create a library. And join the 21st century.

I could be afraid that the Boko Haram would come after me, but since they’re not readers, I guess I have no worries.

My next post is a book review, natch, on The Psychopath Inside, by James Fallon.

Sanity now!

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