A journalist at Wired and New York Times Magazine, Clive Thompson spoke at the NYU Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute’s Inside Out session on Sept. 23, where he shared his experiences and promoted his new book “Smarter Than You Think: How Technology is Changing Our Minds for the Better.”

During the event, Thompson discussed his interest in writing about politics and technology.

“When the Internet emerged in the ’90s, I began writing about the political dimensions of the Internet,” Thompson said. “I wanted to explore how the Internet shaped people’s behavior.”

Thompson added that the scope of technology in today’s world makes it an important field.

“Technology writing is writing about the way tools change our behavior,” Thompson said. “What makes this field so broad, is that anytime we use a tool — even things as simple as pencils, scissors and light — we are writing technology.”

Thompson told aspiring freelance journalists to spend time searching for new sources of inspiration.

“If you are looking for a big break, pay particular attention to ideas that have never been written on before,” Thompson said. “However, still impose deadlines on yourself so that things get done.”

NYU journalism graduate student Ilaria Parogni said she is interested in how technology is shaping the future of journalism.

“I came to this event because I wanted to hear [Thompson’s] insight on the way the realm of journalism is changing, and to what extent this [change] is going to affect us,” Parogni said.

NYU journalism graduate student Hannah Newman said the talk left her with new insights.

“I learned that it’s okay to pursue your passions, and that you should do what makes you happy and not necessarily what the industry says is standard,” Newman said.

A version of this article appeared in the Wednesday, Sept. 24 print edition. Email  Romie Williams at [email protected].