The Gray Area with Sean Illing What the internet took from us
Oct 18, 2021
Pamela Paul, editor of the New York Times Book Review and author of '100 Things We've Lost to the Internet,' discusses the profound effects of the digital age on our lives. She explores how constant connectivity reshapes personal identities and relationships while making us nostalgic for pre-internet experiences. The conversation dives into the challenges children face in forming their self-image amidst online documentation and the complex impact of digital pornography. Paul emphasizes the trade-offs we've made for convenience, urging listeners to find a balance between embracing technology and cherishing traditional values.
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First Internet Memory
- Pamela Paul's first internet-related memory involves her college boyfriend discussing hypertext.
- She didn't understand its implications at the time, later encountering email in publishing.
Solitude vs. Loneliness
- Constant online connection makes true solitude rare, blurring the lines between solitude and loneliness.
- Lack of online interaction can amplify feelings of loneliness.
The World Feels Small
- The internet creates echo chambers, giving a false sense of a shared world.
- Online spaces make the world feel smaller, but limit perspectives.
