Internet before and its growing pains (4/5)

Zuboff argues that this system undermines privacy, autonomy, and democracy by turning human experience into raw material for profit, creating asymmetries of power between tech companies and individuals. It shifts control of information and behavior from individuals to corporations, raising ethical and societal concerns. When continuing research, more questionable insights come to the surface. Even though the internet offers connection, it also diminishes quality of human interactions (Sherry Turkle), apps are designed to be addictive (Adam Alter) and the internet has altered how attention is managed, often leading to fragmentation (Yves Citton) and skimming versus deep focus (Nicholas Carr).

Sherry Turkle – Reclaiming conversation
Impact of digital communication on our relationships
Technology Undermines Empathy: Excessive reliance on smartphones and digital devices has diminished our capacity for empathy. Face-to-face conversation, which fosters empathy, is being replaced by short, shallow interactions online.
Shallow Relationships: Online communication creates relationships that are more superficial because the depth of conversation, self-reflection, and emotional connection is lost when we avoid in-person interactions.
Loss of Solitude: The constant presence of technology deprives people of solitude, which is critical for self-awareness and introspection. Without this alone time, we are less capable of engaging meaningfully with others.
Adam Alter – Irresistible
Behavioral Addiction is Rising: The most insidious addictions today are not to substances like drugs or alcohol, but to behaviors like scrolling through social media or playing video games.
These behavioral addictions are pervasive, and while not physically harmful, they lead to significant negative consequences like loss of time, diminished relationships, and mental health struggles.
Design for Addiction: Technologies and digital platforms are purposefully designed to exploit human psychology. Features such as infinite scrolling, social validation (likes, comments), variable rewards, and personalized algorithms are deliberately crafted to keep users engaged and addicted.
Psychological Manipulation: These technologies hijack the brain’s reward system, particularly the dopamine pathways, leading to compulsive behavior. Like gambling or drug addiction, digital platforms trigger a cycle of craving, reward, and reinforcement, making it hard for users to stop engaging.Social and Cultural Impact: The constant lure of technology is leading to a breakdown in real-life social interactions, as people spend more time on their devices and less time engaging in meaningful face-to-face communication. This shift has led to increased feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression, especially among younger generations.
Yves Citton – The Ecology of attention
Impact of digital technology
The internet and digital information have radically altered the way attention is used often leading tot fragmentation. Social media, online advertising, and news cycles constantly demand engagement, pulling us in many directions at once. This diminish our ability to concentrate deeply on one task or thought, weakening intellectual and emotional capacities.
Nicholas Carr – The Shallows
Impact – Skimming versus deep focus
The constant distractions of digital technology are reshaping how we think, read, and process information, prioritizing skimming over deep focus.
This shift fragments attention, making sustained, critical thinking more difficult. Neuroscience and historical insights reveal that this change affects memory, creativity, and learning, as digital environments encourage superficial engagement rather than deep comprehension.