ABSTRACT
Bertman's analysis of the human costs of speed in an Internet era is especially relevant to a discussion of literary or deep reading, which requires serious time for contemplation and evolution of ideas. His voice can be added to those of others sounding warnings about the fact that "reflection and meditation are functions inconsistent with the computer's nature". Digital die-hards and wannabes can never catch up with the demand for them to stay involved in these activities, to acquire the hot new app or digital device, or to connect to the new or best online group or source- because each new product or context is devised to keep people wanting more. People have increasingly realized the futility of trying to do many things at one time and the value of focusing attention on one task at a time, that is, of "monotasking" or "single-tasking",.
