3 ms·

I stopped reading after the quote: "If our attention span constricts to the point where we can only take information in 140-character sentences, then that doesn

by mattyfo 17y ago

I stopped reading after the quote: "If our attention span constricts to the point where we can only take information in 140-character sentences, then that doesn't bode too well for our future," This seems like a predictable 'woe is technology & future' article. Yes we use shorter messages and the way we write is different but if that's a problem for you then take a day off and go hike in the woods; it will do your mind wonders.

nazgulnarsil 17y ago
but even if any specific alarm is overblown, there is a legitimacy to the fear that the ways we're hacking our brains will ultimately result in a net loss. "what are you doing? you haven't answered your phone for 2 days!" "playing this game where I have to collect waddels" "what's a waddel?" "I don't know but I'm ranked #3 on the server"
- mattyfo 17y ago
  I agree, we may be doing things to our brains that are irreversible but I also believe that it's something that we can control and manage. I used to be an obsessive everquest player but am not anymore because I realized how unhealthy it is. Albeit, that's one small anecdote. I think the real takeaway here, and I can't say if this article addressed it (because I refuse to read this) is that we as conscious beings have to take time to be self-aware and regulate our activities in a healthy way. IE Eat your fruits and veggies, exercise, don't smoke, wear seatbelts, don't watch too much TV, spend a limited amount of time on computers, get outside, meditate, play music or draw, explore, expand and be creative and don't read too many alarmist articles.
  - azm 17y ago
    " (because I refuse to read this) " At the risk of getting down-voted on my first comment: I am sorry, how can you comment on an article about the possibility of acquiring some form of ADD and attempt to provide a potential solution without actually reading the article. Perhaps the author is actually correct, especially considering the size of your response and the actual content. Just because something does not agree with your outlook does not necessarily mean that it is incorrect or invalid. Try reading some of those types of things. You would be surprised how refreshing, entertaining or enlightening they are. A
gojomo 17y ago
"I stopped reading..." If a single disliked turn of phrase caused you to stop reading an article that was otherwise interesting to you, and you raced to snipe about it here, then you are already a victim of the syndrome described. Make an appointment with your local Doctor of Attentionology right now, before you get distracted by something else.

by mattyfo 17y ago

nazgulnarsil 17y ago

but even if any specific alarm is overblown, there is a legitimacy to the fear that the ways we're hacking our brains will ultimately result in a net loss. "what are you doing? you haven't answered your phone for 2 days!" "playing this game where I have to collect waddels" "what's a waddel?" "I don't know but I'm ranked #3 on the server"

mattyfo 17y ago
I agree, we may be doing things to our brains that are irreversible but I also believe that it's something that we can control and manage. I used to be an obsessive everquest player but am not anymore because I realized how unhealthy it is. Albeit, that's one small anecdote. I think the real takeaway here, and I can't say if this article addressed it (because I refuse to read this) is that we as conscious beings have to take time to be self-aware and regulate our activities in a healthy way. IE Eat your fruits and veggies, exercise, don't smoke, wear seatbelts, don't watch too much TV, spend a limited amount of time on computers, get outside, meditate, play music or draw, explore, expand and be creative and don't read too many alarmist articles.
- azm 17y ago
  " (because I refuse to read this) " At the risk of getting down-voted on my first comment: I am sorry, how can you comment on an article about the possibility of acquiring some form of ADD and attempt to provide a potential solution without actually reading the article. Perhaps the author is actually correct, especially considering the size of your response and the actual content. Just because something does not agree with your outlook does not necessarily mean that it is incorrect or invalid. Try reading some of those types of things. You would be surprised how refreshing, entertaining or enlightening they are. A

gojomo 17y ago

"I stopped reading..." If a single disliked turn of phrase caused you to stop reading an article that was otherwise interesting to you, and you raced to snipe about it here, then you are already a victim of the syndrome described. Make an appointment with your local Doctor of Attentionology right now, before you get distracted by something else.