I remember before there was cell phones and i had to memorize all my numbers as well as have them written down in a address book... Those days are over with ipods, cell phones, blackberries ,computers and a multitude of other distractions we are in the information age but i also believe we are getting dumber. Not in the traditional sense but in the sense that we take things for granted and we are more prone to be lazy when its easier to get a robot to do it for us. This is what scientists are saying:
"FACEBOOK, MySpace and other social networking websites are rewiring children's brains making them more self-centered and reducing their attention spans, a neuroscientist has warned.
The nature of communication on the sites could stunt development of the brain, Oxford University neuroscientist Susan Greenfield said.
"We know how small babies need constant reassurance that they exist", she told the UK's Daily Mail.
"My fear is that these technologies are infantilising the brain into the state of small children who are attracted by buzzing noises and bright lights, who have a small attention span and who live for the moment."
Lady Greenfield has previously said exposure to computer games, action movies, chat rooms and social networking sites could leave a generation with poor attention spans.
"I often wonder whether real conversation in real time may eventually give way to these sanitised and easier screen dialogues, in much the same way as killing, skinning and butchering an animal to eat has been replaced by the convenience of packages of meat on the supermarket shelf," she told the UK Parliament."
My fear is that these technologies are infantilising the brain into the state of small children who are attracted by buzzing noises and bright lights, who have a small attention span and who live for the moment,"
ReplyDeleteHahaha... I love it. That is exactly what we're doing. My daughter is a wiz at gagets. She can text without looking at her phone. I'm so "old school" to her even though I was one of the original computer nerds haha. Thing is, this whole generation of kids using these devices in a way us older people never could and most would never want to lol... when the power goes out will be completely useless. These children are learning survival skills for a digital jungle... a jungle that frankly is too complex and dependent upon too many things to last really. Modern civilization is great, but its too fragile. And when the power goes out (for a day, week... forever)... It'll be us 'old squares' that will save the day, if we're still around.
The real kicker of a question is, what in teh world would these 'digital natives' do if suddenly tomorrow there was no electricity? I've actually seen my children look quite confused when trying to find things to do during a power outage. I can really picture a day when people are so completely used to the digital age that a power outage leaves them unable to function at all.
ReplyDeleteokay i know i shouldn't flatter myself...but i can't help but take this blog personally...LOLZ! Seeing as how i lost my phone yesterday and I am assed out because I only know like 2 numbers by heart. LMAO!!!
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