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I've been thinking about this too... I have tried to be more intentional with my use of the internet, finding content that inspires and encourages. I read and reread, listen and re-listen... instead of moving along to the the next thing. My new intention is to move from information consumption to wisdom integration.
Thanks for the great post.

It all starts with being aware, doesn't it?

I "signed off" Goodreads last year. I still have an account there that feeds my blog through, but I don't review books. I have no books on my shelves, etc. I do have a private profile on there to keep track of my books, but I don't have any friends connected to it, and it's under a fake name. I like my reading life to be private, so I completely understand what you mean.

I'd like to look further into that book. It sounds fantastic, and a great way to shake some sense into anyone addicted to being online. I seem to go through cycles ...

It really is a compelling read!

Great quotes, Caroline! Yes, we are all being driven to distraction. And unfortunately most online interaction is superficial; this is true. I'm definitely going to have to buy this book.

I never really signed on to Goodreads to begin with. Have an account, just never did anything with it. I keep a list of books I've read the old-fashioned way: in a notebook! And even though I'm on LinkedIn, I never go there. Or Google+ -- there are just too many things trying to grab our attention. I stick to facebook for friends and family and blogging for the children's book community. Even that is too much when I'm trying to get some real writing done.

Does anyone remember what life was like before the internet? I read more. Walked more. Went outside more. Talked to my family more. We actually used to play board games or create treasure hunts through the house when the boys were growing up. Seems so long ago and it was only about ten years.

I've kept a notebook of my reading since 2003. It's a real treasure, something I'm anxious to make my exclusive form of reading record keeping soon (I do want to see out this year, though).

You are so right about all the ways life was different and we behaved differently before the Internet was around. It's both sad and fascinating.

I think about this all the time. I always feel more scattered and disconnected when I've spent a lot of time online. Not that I think it's bad. Technology is so amazing and I believe it improves quality of life in many ways, but sometimes I need to just shut it down and spend some time in the real world. I feel different when I do that, in a good way.

I agree with everything you've said here.

Thanks for the links, Caroline. Good discussions and helpful perspectives...Looking forward to reading more about The Shallows.

If you pick it up, I'd love to hear what you think, Kenda.

I finally put a Hold on it at the library. I'm eager to read this!

Being intentional with our time. That's what I've been thinking exactly. I've been using the word, "Deliberate". I want to be more deliberate with my life and time and not get swept away . . . thank you for this.

I've been trying to stay away from the internet more. I'm with you--I don't think it's evil, but I definitely have (more than once) fallen victim to its addictive qualities.

The downside? Stepping back from the internet means stepping back from my internet friends. I've not been reading/commenting like I should. BUT! I wanted to tell you that I was catching up the other day and read your post about your goals as a professional writer--your decree, so to speak; and it was so, so good. I love how you made it so holistic, acknowledging how writing effects your whole life and coming up with a way to keep it under control. It really spoke to me. :)

Can't wait to discuss this with you, friend. xo

Yes to all of this, Sarah.

Thank you for your kind words about my Navigating a Debut Year posts. They came out of watching others -- thinking of what I wanted to emulate and what I wanted to avoid. I had to do a lot of soul searching and examine things in my own life I didn't like.

If you want a poster, email me your mailing address!

I often take month-long breaks from the internet, from reading blogs and commenting on facebook posts, and I rarely visit Twitter anyway. Right now I'm limiting myself to reading blogs on Mondays only. My neurologist has already explained to me that it's not just me who's having trouble coping with normal things I used to be able to do -- like remembering dates and times. It's the way our brains are changing because of the internet. Maybe he read The Shallows!

Remembering details -- that's exactly the sort of thing the book talks about. The Internet trains us to scan and not read/think deeply. It spills into other parts of our lives.

Scanning, of course, is a valuable skill, but it's not the only way to interact with text or to think about the world.