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> To be honest, in a different society (one that isn't focused on on-line communication, extreme productivity, and always on connections), executive functioning

> To be honest, in a different society (one that isn't focused on on-line communication, extreme productivity, and always on connections), executive functioning becomes a much less valued trait I don't think so. I mean, I see what you're saying, that many of these demands on our attention are extraneous—bordering on useless. But, and I speak from personal experience as someone who struggles with executive function, that as a problem is disconnected from executive function. To me, what executive function means is that I have projects that I am interested in, that I would like to work on, that I would be happier for having completed, that I am unable to complete. That, like the subject of the article, I want to go and meet my friends for lunch, but have to cancel. Eradicating the 'productivity culture' might, as a side effect, reduce the level of executive function required, but they are not tied to one another. Having executive function means being able to do the things that I want to do, when I want to do them.

mercer 7y ago
> To me, what executive function means is that I have projects that I am interested in, that I would like to work on, that I would be happier for having completed, that I am unable to complete. What you are interested and what you like to work on (and how you should go about this) is in part informed by said 'productivity culture'. The same goes for meeting friends. I've lived in environments/cultures where the need for 'executive functioning' to pull this off was almost zero, because it'd just be part of the rhythm of life rather than some planned activity. Just to provide a bit of counterpoint; not saying you're all wrong.
- officemonkey 7y ago
  Also, to add some more counterpoint... >I have projects that I am interested in, that I would like to work on, that I would be happier for having completed, that I am unable to complete. That sounds a lot like how depression treats me. I have these "impossible tasks" that sit there undone. And the "lazy procrastinator" in me (thanks, mom) does them at the last possible second. I think a lot of the "time management" self-help books out there is an honest effort at casting around at ANY way that can help a person become more productive. Whether it's values-based, or workflow-based, or something that just reduces the friction. Sadly, like most of the self-help genre, if you don't "become more productive," you're a bad person. Asking Neurodivergent people to compensate for executive functioning skills that don't come easy is bound to fail.
- leetcrew 7y ago
  not everyone can keep time with "the rhythm of life" without exerting themselves.

mercer 7y ago

> To me, what executive function means is that I have projects that I am interested in, that I would like to work on, that I would be happier for having completed, that I am unable to complete. What you are interested and what you like to work on (and how you should go about this) is in part informed by said 'productivity culture'. The same goes for meeting friends. I've lived in environments/cultures where the need for 'executive functioning' to pull this off was almost zero, because it'd just be part of the rhythm of life rather than some planned activity. Just to provide a bit of counterpoint; not saying you're all wrong.

officemonkey 7y ago
Also, to add some more counterpoint... >I have projects that I am interested in, that I would like to work on, that I would be happier for having completed, that I am unable to complete. That sounds a lot like how depression treats me. I have these "impossible tasks" that sit there undone. And the "lazy procrastinator" in me (thanks, mom) does them at the last possible second. I think a lot of the "time management" self-help books out there is an honest effort at casting around at ANY way that can help a person become more productive. Whether it's values-based, or workflow-based, or something that just reduces the friction. Sadly, like most of the self-help genre, if you don't "become more productive," you're a bad person. Asking Neurodivergent people to compensate for executive functioning skills that don't come easy is bound to fail.
leetcrew 7y ago
not everyone can keep time with "the rhythm of life" without exerting themselves.