In his thought-provoking book, "The Internet Is Not What You Think It Is," philosopher Justin E.H. Smith challenges our fundamental understanding of the internet and its impact on society. Smith takes readers on a journey through history, biology, philosophy, and mathematics to uncover the roots of our digital age and its consequences. This summary will explore the key ideas presented in the book, offering a fresh perspective on the technology that has become an integral part of our daily lives.
Introduction: Questioning Our Digital Reality
The internet has become so deeply ingrained in our lives that it's hard to imagine a world without it. We use it for work, entertainment, socializing, and even finding love. However, as Smith argues, our relationship with the internet and social media platforms is far more complex and problematic than we might realize.
Mark Zuckerberg once declared that the purpose of Facebook was to "strengthen our social fabric and bring the world closer together." Yet, over a decade into the rise of social media, we find ourselves facing a crumbling social fabric, rampant misinformation, and increasing polarization on vital issues like climate change and wealth inequality. Instead of bringing us together, the internet seems to be driving us apart.
Smith's book invites us to question our most basic ideas about the internet and its role in our lives. By understanding the true nature of this technology and its historical context, we can make wiser decisions about how we engage with the digital world and potentially find a way out of the current predicament.
The Exploitation of Personal Data
One of the most crucial insights Smith offers is the idea that social media represents a new form of exploitation. Unlike traditional industries that capitalized on labor or natural resources, social media companies have found a novel resource to exploit: personal data.
These platforms invest heavily in research to refine their algorithms, which organize and display content based on billions of user data points. The goal is simple yet insidious: to keep users engaged and scrolling for as long as possible. Every tap, swipe, like, and share provides valuable data that feeds into this system.
The advent of smartphones and tablets has only exacerbated this trend, allowing for 24/7 data collection. From work meetings to online dating, much of our lives now revolves around a single device. This constant connectivity encourages us to view ourselves through the lens of social media, reducing our complex personalities to easily digestible profiles.
The result is a diminishment of self to fit the algorithm's requirements. We begin to market ourselves to employers and potential partners, focusing on likes and engagement rather than genuine human connection. This shift has real-world consequences, with online arguments spilling over into family disputes, political polarization, and even violence.
Moreover, the internet functions as a new form of global surveillance. Smart devices listen in on our conversations, track our movements, and monitor our activities. This constant observation raises serious privacy concerns and further blurs the line between our online and offline lives.
The Limitations of Algorithmic Thinking
Smith delves into the history of computation to provide context for our current digital landscape. He discusses the 17th-century philosopher Gottfried Leibniz, who dreamed of "concept-crunching machines" that could make difficult decisions and solve conflicts, freeing humans to pursue higher pursuits. However, the reality of our digital age has fallen far short of this utopian vision.
While artificial intelligence can perform many tasks online, it lacks a crucial human trait: the ability to pay attention. Smith explores the complex nature of attention, distinguishing it from mere perception. Attention involves conscious selection and prioritization, a sign of self-awareness that machines have yet to replicate.
Modern neuroscience reveals that our brains are already filtering machines, selecting information before we're even aware of it. This natural limitation of human perception stands in stark contrast to the artificial limitations imposed by the internet economy, which channels our attention for profit.
The Ancient Roots of Communication Networks
One of the most fascinating aspects of Smith's book is his exploration of communication networks in nature. He argues that the idea of a "world wide web" is not unique to the digital age but has existed in various forms throughout history and in the natural world.
Signals are everywhere in nature, from bird calls to elephant stomps to chemical messages passed through fungal networks. These natural communication systems often operate without the need for cables or devices, demonstrating that information exchange is a fundamental aspect of life on Earth.
Smith uses the example of slime molds to illustrate how even simple organisms can create efficient networks without anything resembling human intelligence. This perspective challenges our anthropocentric view of cognition and communication, suggesting that the roots of our digital networks may be more deeply embedded in the natural world than we realize.
The Evolution of Human Telecommunication
Smith traces the history of human long-distance communication, from ancient trade routes to modern digital networks. He highlights how each technological advancement, from horses to ships to airplanes, amplified our ability to send messages over greater distances and at faster speeds.
However, this emphasis on speed has come at a cost. In prehistoric times, receiving a message from afar meant a personal encounter with an outsider, complete with all the sensory and cultural information that such an interaction entailed. As communication became faster and more efficient, we lost some of the richness and context that came with face-to-face interactions.
This historical perspective helps us understand the trade-offs we've made in our pursuit of instant, global communication. While we can now send messages across the world in seconds, we may have lost some of the depth and meaning that came with slower, more personal forms of communication.
Nature as a Managed Environment
Smith challenges the common perception of nature as an untamed wilderness, separate from human influence. He points out that many indigenous cultures have long histories of landscape management, shaping their environments through practices like controlled burning and selective planting.
This view of nature as a managed environment has implications for how we think about technology and our place in the world. Smith argues that seeing modern cities as artificial and separate from nature creates dangerous blind spots in our thinking. Instead, we should recognize that humans have always been part of nature, shaping and being shaped by our environments.
The Connection Between Weaving and Computing
One of the most surprising insights in Smith's book is the historical connection between weaving and computing. He traces the development of automated looms in the early 19th century, which used punch cards to create complex patterns in silk. This technology laid the groundwork for the binary code that forms the basis of modern computing.
Smith highlights the work of Ada Lovelace, a pioneering figure in early computer science who understood the overlapping principles of weaving and computing. Lovelace's vision of computers as potential world-building tools sparked the idea that we might one day have a "maker's knowledge" of new, mechanical minds.
This historical perspective helps us understand that the digital revolution didn't emerge in isolation but was part of a longer technological and cultural evolution. It also challenges the notion that computing is inherently separate from more traditional crafts and industries.
The Myth of Digital Progress
Throughout the book, Smith encourages readers to question the assumption that faster always equals better in communication and computation. He points out that while we've made tremendous strides in the speed and efficiency of information transfer, we may have lost something valuable in the process.
The author argues that the hyper-valuation of speed in communication has wiped out the memory of more expanded, personal interactions. This shift has implications for how we relate to each other and to the world around us. By constantly seeking faster and more efficient ways to communicate, we may be sacrificing depth, nuance, and genuine human connection.
Rethinking Our Relationship with Technology
In light of these insights, Smith urges readers to reconsider their relationship with technology, particularly the internet and social media. He suggests that by understanding the historical and natural context of our digital tools, we can make more informed choices about how we use them.
Some key takeaways include:
Recognize that you are the product: Be aware that social media platforms are designed to keep you engaged and collect your data. Use them mindfully and set boundaries.
Seek out deeper connections: Don't let digital communication completely replace face-to-face interactions. Make time for personal, meaningful encounters.
Embrace slower forms of communication: Consider writing letters, making phone calls, or having in-person conversations instead of relying solely on instant messaging or social media.
Connect with nature: Spend time outdoors and observe the natural communication networks around you. This can help put our digital networks into perspective.
Question the value of speed: Consider whether faster communication is always better, or if there's value in slower, more deliberate forms of interaction.
Explore the history of technology: Understanding the roots of our digital tools can help us use them more wisely and critically.
Be mindful of your attention: Recognize that your attention is a valuable resource, and be intentional about how you allocate it.
Final Thoughts: Reclaiming Our Attention
Smith's book serves as a wake-up call, urging us to question our assumptions about the internet and its role in our lives. By exploring the historical, philosophical, and natural contexts of our digital age, he provides a fresh perspective on the technology that has become so ubiquitous.
The author's insights challenge us to think more critically about how we engage with the digital world. Rather than passively accepting the internet as an inevitable and unquestionably positive force, we should consider its limitations, drawbacks, and potential alternatives.
Ultimately, Smith's work encourages us to reclaim our attention and make more conscious choices about how we spend our time online. By understanding the true nature of the internet and its historical context, we can develop a healthier, more balanced relationship with technology.
As we navigate the complexities of the digital age, it's crucial to remember that the internet is a tool, not an end in itself. By maintaining our connection to the natural world, cultivating meaningful personal relationships, and being mindful of how we use technology, we can harness the benefits of the digital revolution while avoiding its pitfalls.
In a world where attention is increasingly commodified, choosing how to spend our time and mental energy becomes a radical act of self-reclamation. Smith's book provides valuable insights and historical context to help us make those choices more wisely, ensuring that we use technology in ways that truly enrich our lives and strengthen our communities.
As we move forward in this digital age, let us carry with us the knowledge that the internet is not what we think it is – and armed with this understanding, we can shape a future where technology serves humanity, rather than the other way around.