Why deep thought matters: Defending focus in a distracted world

In an age of endless distractions, deep thinking is rare. We look at how reMarkable helps nurture focus, creativity, and human intelligence.

4 min read

In defense of thought

Thinking is the greatest gift we possess as humans. And better thinking starts with space — to sit, reflect and enrich our lives. To shape ideas without interference. Yet, distractions are everywhere, making our ability to think introspectively more challenging than ever. If the power of human intelligence — with all of its depth and imperfections — is what makes us who we are, then we want to use technology to nurture, and not annihilate it. This is a celebration of deliberate, meaningful thought. What do you think?

A poetic reflection on human intelligence and deep thought, inspired by reMarkable’s distraction-free vision

Our thought architects

Human intelligence can be difficult to pinpoint. A shape-shifting phenomenon that keeps evolving with reflection, experimentation, and sometimes serendipity too. So instead of asking one person to define it, we turned to a constellation of minds to shine light on the many ways we think. These people are all thought leaders in their own right, all experts of ideas who spend time mapping out new ways to navigate our minds.

We asked them what makes human intelligence irreplaceable and why it matters more than ever today, in an age of endless distraction. Their answers show that intelligence is something fluid, deeply human, and — above all — worth defending.

Ryder Carroll

Ryder Carroll, creator of the Bullet Journal method, is an expert in structured journaling as a tool for clarity and self-reflection.

“I think that a lot of intelligence can be lost in the face of the overwhelm that we face in the digital age, so having education structured around how to be human in the digital age where things become more and more virtual and more and more artificial. What does it mean to be human and how can you do that more effectively?”
– Ryder Carroll

Amber Case

Amber Case, founder of the Calm Tech Institute, specializes in human-computer interaction and how technology can integrate into daily life.

“And so when we're in environments where there's a seemingly endless amount of memory or a digital camera where you can take so many photos, reality starts to not be as special. Like a lot of stuff happens because of the limitations.”
– Amber Case

Anne-Laure Le Cunff

Anne-Laure Le Cunff, founder of Ness Labs, focuses on the intersection of neuroscience and productivity, helping people work smarter without sacrificing mental health.

"Chasing certainty can make you miss opportunities—uncertainty is a playground to ask questions, be creative, make mistakes, and try new things."
– Anne-Laure Le Cunff

Sönke Ahrens

Sönke Ahrens, author of How to Take Smart Notes, is known for his work on structured thinking and writing as a tool for deeper understanding.

“Turning outwards, being interested in the world is what human intelligence is all about. It's about the curiosity of what is out there. What is not yet discovered, not yet understood.”
– Sönke Ahrens

Your space for deep thinking

Ryder Carroll, Amber Case, Anne-Laure Le Cunff, and Sönke Ahrens highlight the value of human intelligence in a distracted world. reMarkable’s paper tablet supports this — offering a distraction-free space for note-taking, sketching, and focus.

Learn how focus fuels ideas with reMarkable. Ready to sharpen your mind? Try the paper tablet today.