SPOS #975 – Nicholas Carr On The Human Consequences Of Connection And Technology
Release Date: 03/16/2025
How Change Really Works With Julia Dhar - TWMJ #1057
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #1057 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). is a leading voice in behavioral science and organizational transformation, and the founder of the at . A three-time Champion and known for her work on productive disagreement, Julia has spent much of her career exploring a deceptively simple question: Why do organizations invest so much time, money, and human potential in change... only to fail so often? In her new book, , co-authored with and , she challenges the conventional wisdom that people are naturally resistant to change. Instead, she argues...
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The Human Side Of Business With Mike Michalowicz - TWMJ #1056
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #1056 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). has spent much of his career trying to solve a problem he describes simply: eradicating entrepreneurial poverty. As the bestselling author of and numerous other books on entrepreneurship and business, Mike has built a body of work around challenging conventional wisdom and finding practical systems that work with human behavior rather than against it. He's also an old friend, which means our conversations have a tendency to wander into some unexpected places... and this one certainly does. His latest...
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Axios And The Art Of Simplification With Roy Schwartz - TWMJ #1055
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Welcome to episode #1055 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). is the co-founder of and CEO of , where he has helped redefine how organizations communicate in an age of information overload. Before launching Axios alongside and , Roy helped build into one of the most influential political news organizations in the world. Today, Axios reaches millions of readers through its distinctive format, while Axios HQ helps some of the world's largest organizations communicate more clearly and effectively. In his new book, , Roy argues that our biggest challenge isn't a...
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Creating The Apple Store And Reinventing Retail With Ron Johnson - TWMJ #1054
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Welcome to episode #1054 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). is one of the most influential retail innovators of the modern era. Best known for creating the (alongside ), he helped redefine what a physical store could be, transforming retail from a place that simply sold products into a destination centered on service, learning, and human connection. Before , Ron helped reshape 's merchandising strategy through groundbreaking designer collaborations, and later served as CEO of during one of the industry's most ambitious retail transformations (and it did not go...
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Great Companies With Eric Ries - TWMJ #1053
Thinking With Mitch Joel
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The Power Of Brands With Lifang He - TWMJ #1052
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #1052 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). has spent more than two decades helping some of the world's most influential technology companies build products that people don't just use... they love. A global brand strategist and product marketing leader, she has led branding, go-to-market, and growth initiatives for companies including , , and . During her time at Apple's longtime creative agency, , she helped shape global launches, giving her a front-row seat to one of the most successful product introductions in history. Her new book, , argues...
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Data Inspired With Sebastian Wernicke - TWMJ #1051
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Navigating Future Shock With Fredric Marshall - TWMJ #1050
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AI Mindsets With Farid Mheir - TWMJ #1049
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Purpose And Strengthfinding With Tom Rath - TWMJ #1048
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #1048 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). is one of the most influential voices in the fields of leadership, strengths, wellbeing, and human performance. A researcher and the #1 bestselling author of books including , , , and , Tom's work has shaped how millions of people think about work, health, and personal development. His latest book, , challenges one of today's most common assumptions: that purpose is something we discover once in a lifetime. Instead, Tom argues that purpose is built through everyday actions and by focusing less on...
info_outlineWelcome to episode #975 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast.
Nicholas Carr has long been one of the most important voices questioning how technology is shaping our minds, our communication, and our culture (and a personal favorite). His latest book, Superbloom - How Technologies of Connection Tear Us Apart, builds on the themes he’s explored in The Shallows and The Glass Cage, offering a critical look at how our obsession with constant connectivity may be eroding human relationships rather than strengthening them. In this conversation, Nick challenges the assumption that more communication automatically leads to greater understanding, explaining how friction in conversation is necessary for thoughtful interactions. We discussed the rise of dissimilarity cascades - how exposure to differing viewpoints can sometimes increase polarization rather than bridge divides - and why the utopian vision of digital communication often clashes with human nature. Nick also highlights the psychological toll of constant connectivity, particularly among younger generations, and the unintended consequences of social media’s influence on work, leisure, and personal identity. As AI continues to reshape communication, he raises important questions about authenticity, the risk of society becoming skeptical of everything, and the broader shift toward efficiency at the cost of deeper human values. His perspective is always thought-provoking, and this conversation is no exception. If you want to rethink how you engage with technology in your daily life, this episode is a must-listen. You should also check out his excellent Substack newsletter, New Cartographies. Enjoy the conversation...
- Running time: 1:01:14.
- Hello from beautiful Montreal.
- Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts.
- Listen and subscribe over at Spotify.
- Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation.
- Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook.
- Check out ThinkersOne.
- or you can connect on LinkedIn.
- ...or on X.
- Here is my conversation with Nicholas.
- Superbloom - How Technologies of Connection Tear Us Apart.
- The Shallows.
- The Glass Cage.
- New Cartographies.
- This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.
Chapters:
(00:00) - Introduction to Nicholas Carr and His Work.
(03:13) - Thematic Connections in Carr's Books.
(06:10) - The Misconception of Communication Technology.
(08:46) - Human Nature vs. Technology: A Conflict.
(11:54) - The Impact of Online Communication on Empathy.
(14:47) - The Dangers of Digital Disconnection.
(17:59) - Parental Influence on Children's Technology Use.
(20:47) - The Social Dynamics of Smartphone Usage.
(24:09) - The Rise of Anxiety and Loneliness in Youth.
(27:07) - The Concept of Influencers and Work in the Digital Age.
(34:24) - The Misconception of Leisure vs. Work.
(35:34) - Rethinking Our Relationship with Technology.
(39:03) - The Dangers of Blind Adaptation.
(42:00) - AI: A Revolutionary Shift in Communication.
(47:30) - The Impact of AI on Human Expression.
(56:09) - The Original Sin of Efficiency Over Humanity.