FREMONT, CA: “Think it through”…”sleep on it:..”discuss it”…are some suggestions when working through a problem. Ever wonder why these work? Our minds are wired to process information by pulling from past experiences, linking them in the present context, and being able to use the processed product to project into the future, and forecast. Pretty complicated stuff! These are all attributes of deep thought and mindfulness, according to researchers.
In a recent event of Silicon Valley Reads, 2014, a panel discussion, sponsored by IBPW (Indian Business and Professional Women), explored this topic, led by Nicholas Carr, author of the book titled, “The Shallows: what the internet is doing to our brains”. I needed to internalize the flyer advertising this event, after re-reading it, as I was busy “liking” a picture on Facebook my son had posted! That convinced me this was an event I must attend!
Nicholas Carr gave an eloquent commentary on how he found his own behavior changing as he became an increasing user of the internet technology, and needed to purposefully tune out the essential from the non essential in order to get deep thinking done. He also traced the lineage of what he termed the “Intellectual Technology”, with the internet being its latest addition. In an attempt to seek information, the mind begins to focus more and more on the newness of the information, rather than its relevance. In doing so, the mind is being trained not just to follow, but seek distractions. Mr. Carr also lamented the loss of more contemplative, reflective and solitary thinking in today’s age of information overload.
Dr. Elaine Bradley, director of Networth Recovery, which specializes in the treatment of Internet Addiction, was another panelist, who shared her experiences and thoughts on internet addiction, and its treatment. Internet addiction is a recent addition in the DSM, among a long list of entrants in the last decade, and a large number of her clients are, not surprisingly, high school students.
There are legitimate concerns about a new kind of user or addict that specializes in cyber sex, cyber porn , and gaming addictions. She provides counsel on reducing or eliminating this damaging behavior. The panel and audience together commented about the use of specific software to combat the problem of internet addiction, where reminders to take a break pop up on the user’s screen. These work on a feedback system assessed by the software. Interesting point to note, like many other novelties, is that the internet can be a friend or foe, depending on how you use it.
WORKPLACE DISTRACTIONS
Ms. Michelle Bolton, the third panelist and founding partner of Executive Edge, is tasked with managing workplace employee distractions due to internet use. One of the questions facing corporations is “What can be done to address dwindling attention spans and creative thinking so important in the business world?”
Audience participation was almost exclusively to the point about the information super highway being one of the most powerful entries into the technology world. Our daily lives are controlled, governed, yet made easier with the advent of this technology. The pencil and paper format giving way to the screen and keyboard format is a paradigm shift, and the early adopters are our school going children, starting at an even younger age each year.
Technology based education is heralded as the way of the future. The majority of the nation is adopting the Common Core Standards in education, where every high school graduate is expected to be college and career ready. The high school graduate is expected to have the skills needed to succeed in the real world, with a heavy emphasis on computer literacy, and the ability to critically think and solve problems.
Sometimes, these two expectations appear to be at odds. This is a far cry from the Multiple Choice testing where guessing was one way to take and even pass a test for some students.
A technology executive in the audience commented that he is provided a list of links by his employees when asked to solve a problem. It is rampant to see individuals with information readily available, working to incrementally improve what someone else has already done.
This may be a way for job creation for many, allowing slightly different ways of doing things being heralded as new. However, it replaces deep, cognitive thinking actions, where the neurons dredge, sift and churn the information around while you “sleep on the problem”, “think through it” or “discuss it”.
Amidst all the predictions of doom, one audience member threw cold water on them by recalling the harmless transitions that have been made with new technology. He put the thought in perspective of the fear of the change, rather than the change itself. The introduction of the telephone, radio and TV for example, is yet to kill all our brain cells.
Whether the public is rightly or wrongly suspicious of the hold the internet has taken of our personal and professional lives, the fact remains we cannot hide from it. Moderation of use is the key to success, and we hold that at the tips of our fingers, as we chose to click or not to click.
Archana Asthana
India Post News Service
Thank You For Your Vote!
Sorry You have Already Voted!
