Question: Do you ever wonder if computers and the internet, in all of their relatively brand-spanking-newness, will have an impact on our mental health in the future? We know that the instant downloads, uploads, payments, tweets, updates and our general lightening speed access to EVERYTHING is not doing much for our patience quota. These days, if I start to sing a song, V. instantly says, "What is that Mom? Can we watch that?"-- referring, of course, to youtube and its ability to bring us practically anything and everything of a videographic nature into our homes.
But what is it all doing for our attention spans? The constant and literally endless string of links provide a bevy of bunny trails that end up drinking up our time and sometimes, leading in directions less edifying than if we'd never done it at all. And how much "information" do we absorb in a single 15 minute coffee break into the "interwebs". E-mail is one thing alone, and a valid source of information, communication, etc. But tack onto that yahoo news (or whatever is comparable), blogs, facebook, twitter (no, I don't do social networking), hulu shows, youtubin', random link-following, plus other task-related online "chores" (bill-paying, ordering products, and finding general information)... Convenient? Heck yes. But will it eventually take a toll on our mental health, specifically short-term and/ or long-term memory and increase our forgetfulness, distractedness and rob us of our ability to perform simple mental exercises (i.e. memorizing a ten-digit telephone number)?
Hoo boy. Just thinkin'. It's Friday. My mind is shot. These are the kind of blog posts I belch out when my brain is fried and I myself need a distraction (HA!)...when in the end it's probably more beneficial to just say nothin' at all. Really, though, have you noticed changes in your memory, in your ability to focus and stay in the present? Do you think it has anything to do with this digital, instant-gratification age that we live in? This internet thing has only been mainstream for 10 years. We don't know what long-term effects it will have on us.
The evil one wants us to forget. Forget, period. Forget to stay in the present, forget our responsibilities, and even more so, to forget God. How does he do this? Through distractions of course. And when we live in a world where a new-model Lexus has better reflexes than it's human operator (to offer just one example), then you have to step back and wonder when the heck humans were no longer expected to think anymore. Let alone respond and engage in our surroundings, to be fully present, to embrace and finally, to worship as creatures created in God's image.
Ahh... and now, back to real life.
4 comments:
They said the same thing about your generation growing up watching Sesame Street. To fast moving, kids wanted things to move fast, wouldnt pay attention in school.
I think the old Greeks had it right when they said "All thing in moderation"
Yep. I love what Elder Thaddeus writes about reading/paying too much attention to the news and what is happening in the world and how that destroys the peace -- the paradise -- within us. So true!!!
I sometimes hope our internet will be disabled for a while. I know I'd totally freak out at first (like the time I came home and the power was out -- I actually felt myself panic at the thought of not being able to check email or go online for the rest of the day), but I think it would be such a good "cleanse". I did try it for about a week, sort of: I only turned the computer on at the end of the day. Unfortunately, I found I did miss last minute reminders, updates, and invites folks had sent to me via email -- even from church and the kids' school. Ugh...
I've often wondered how the internet will affect our intelligence. We don't need to think anymore because we can just google everything :) I know that I would be completely out of the loop if I didn't have internet. My friends and family use it for everything. It is rare that we use the phone anymore because email or sending a message on facebook works just as well. Not that I am saying these are good things, it is just the way it is now.
Yes, and "all things in moderation" is a great saying. Now, I will get off my computer and put away the laundry :)
I have to say, the internet is no different then a magazine or tv show. It's an easy choice, but it needs boundaries just like everything else. Of course, with some of the modern ideas being foisted on us, no wonder we are distracted-for example, Patrick was talking about how the standardized tests make one want to wander off, they are boring and inane. (or benchmarks, or...). They don't challenge you, there is no really good reason for them, etc, so your attention wanders and you'd rather do something else!
I use the computer every day, it gets old. I love a good book, when I have time...the internet is useful as a tool. Quick look ups are ok but don't replace in depth studies. Email is fine, Facebook is fine-as long as we also use a phone or write a letter. When life is reduced to a quick text, we are the losers.
So we need to make the effort to vary what we do and how we do...how we use technology. We need to not let it use us! :)
Thanks for a thoughtful post as always Katie,
Love Aunt Helen
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