I recently found an article on the New York Times website. This article, entitled "Digital Devices Deprive Brain of Needed Downtime," explores the effects of technology on brain function and thinking. A certain part of the article caught my attention:"Almost certainly, downtime lets the brain go over experiences it’s had, solidify them and turn them into permanent long-term memories." Nicholas Carr, in his book "The Shallows" makes a similar point when he emphasizes the difficulty our brains have transferring short term memory to long term memory. When the faucets of information are "going full blast" (Carr 125) it is close to impossible to process all of the information coming at us. The constant bombardment of data doesn't allow our minds to actually formulate new ideas or store old ones. Just a little bit of down time from technology-a walk in the park, a jog through your neighborhood-allows for clearer thinking and more brain function. People aren't giving their brains any breaks from the constant flow of information-from their iphones, laptops, and televisions-and it's taking a toll.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/25/technology/25brain.html?pagewanted=1&ref=your_brain_on_computers
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Digital Devices Deprive Brain of Needed Downtime
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
We learned in elementary school that the brain is a muscle, but it is interesting to think that the mind is a muscle as well. Muscles can be used, and can be used vigorously that is why they exist. However, they must be allowed to rest, to regenerate and regrow, and by resting they become larger and stronger. If our mind is a muscle, then we must allow it to rest. It allows our mind to not only recover, but also to expand.
ReplyDeleteHowever, in today's modern world, the white noise is becoming louder and engulfs every room, fills every crevice, shrouds every eye. Everywhere there is that low hum, and in a world without silence where can we find rest?
An interesting side of technology and it's physical effect on us. The interpreted effects on humans by technology can sometimes be easily reputed but to argue a physical change is difficult. This stance is solid and one that I agree with. Some may suggest that rest is for the weak but I am sure that they might be compelled to think twice once they read this article and consider Carr's arguments. I agree with Andrew that rest is hard to come by, but we must find rest anywhere we can, wether it be in enjoying non-technology related activities or in natural sleep.
ReplyDeleteWhile reading this and the comments on it, I thought immediately of Facebook. Facebook has become so consuming, that if you were to look at some statuses from late at night, there are some that say something along the lines of "Can't sleep, txt". For starters, if you can't sleep at 3 a.m., there must be some sort of psychological problem going on. Second, why would you put this as your status on facebook, where the majority of the population is fast asleep. Third, if you can't sleep, texting won't help you in any way shape or form. To me, it seems almost as if these people are just asking for attention. So yes, technology has a profound physical impact on us.
ReplyDeleteWe won't be able to properly function through all of the distractions we have in our lives. Yet even though the ipods, computers, tv, video games distract us from other active and social activities that can help the brain, society still uses them constantly. Why is that that we would rather be inside on facebook and not outside in the backyard?
ReplyDeleteP.S. Isabel I used this article as an artifact for the beginning of the year lol
It's easy for us to say that life would be better if we completely shut off our electronics. However, in this day and age it's nearly impossible to truly get away from technology. Everything we do is dictated by technology, even when we're sleeping. To go to sleep we must turn the lights off, to wake up we have to leave the alarm clock on. Our simplest everyday interactions involve some sort of technology. This makes trying to get away from all these devices that much harder.
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting, directly after reading your post something popped into my head that hadn't when we were reading the Shallows. Smartboards. If technology with all its distracting hyperlinks and white noise as Andrew put it causes a distinct decrease in concrete learning as opposed to temporary memory, then wouldn't a smartboard be more of a hindrence to learning than anything else? It provides ample mean for distraction - even the markers themselves can distract from what is actually being taught upon the screen. I guess my ultimate question is whether or not there is a boundary line for technology that indicates when the benefits no longer outway the detriments.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. Yes, technology is hindering our ability to transfer short term memory to long term memory, which of course seems like a very negative effect. However, at the same times, isn't the internet virtually erasing our need for a long term memory? The computer is becoming our long term memory storage system through word documents, web pages or google searches. We can go back into the past on the computer, not our minds. Is it bad that we are depending on technology instead of our human instincts to remember things. Or is this just humanity evolving with the times?
ReplyDeleteif even our education system is under attack by technology and its vices, what is the point to try to stem the tide? The younger generations are growing up with more and more technology at their disposal, to the point that its getting ridiculous. I recently saw one of my brother's classmates toting around a BLACKBERRY and accessing FACEBOOK with it to update her status. Keep in mind this is a third grader. There may be some benefits to technology, but most of the populace is misusing it to the point that it alters society itself for the worse and we are addicted to something worse than the worst of drugs. We can't live without it for even a day without breaking down.
ReplyDeleteI think that in some ways we desire down time from technology but it is hard to find. If we are not consumed with the Internet, or TV we are completing our endless homework on the computer. It seems that I would like nothing better then to read a book or sleep yet due to the increases in technology we are becoming more attached to them and it is harder to find downtime. It is easy to say everyone needs a break yet technology is everywhere, in some places even the bathroom has TV. It is overpowering us.
ReplyDeleteThis post resonated with me because I find that I really need some down time if I ever want to be able to do the next thing that I have to get done. Between my acting group, junior year (and all the homework and tests and assignments that come with it), hanging out with friends, spending time with my family, hebrew school, and all the other things on my to-do list, I find it it unbelivably difficult to find some time to relax and think over things. Even when I have time to myself, I usually end up going on facebook, which definitely doesn't constitute as down time, because it doesn't allow me to let my mind settle. Every day I wish I had more time to just think, ponder, wonder, and just have a chance to allow my mind to relax. The unanswerable question seems to be, will I ever get that extra time?
ReplyDelete