The articles in The New York Times’ “Brain on Computers” series take up concerns about the impact of technology on our brains, our relationships, and our society. The series title, which raises an ad campaign by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, indicates the gravity associated with this issue. Contributing authors draw from metaphors of addiction and dependence, advising behavioral and therapeutic solutions for resisting and recovering from our “plugged-in existence.” The dramatic influence of rapidly growing social media, computers, cellphones, television, movies and the Internet continue to surprise us all. Among the most fascinating developments is what we are learning from brain research using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). …show more content…
Teens and adults who grew up playing video gamesThe brains of young people growing up hyperconnected to the Internet might be wired differently from those of their elders. Young adults and children feel as if they need their gadgets 24/7, they act as if they cannot go without. Many reasons contribute to the factor of this change such as boredom, escaping reality, or just for pleasure. Boredom has to be one of the most common reasons that people become addicted to anything. It’s when people are bored that they want to ingest something either physically, mentally, or emotionally into their body to cover up the fact that they’re bored. Playing video games, Tweeting or texting, enters individuals into a virtual world that distracts them from the pressures of the real world, it’s such a distraction that it becomes apart of them making it hard for people go not use it for a period of time. Our whole attitude and behavior has changed due to the fact that technology has become a essential. The mind will always choose something that it believes is more pleasurable. Because most people dislike school and many aspects of there lives chores, family, bills, etc… they would rather escape into technology because the mind sees this as something more pleasurable and the alternative as …show more content…
This technological influence isn't just affecting us on the surface of ur thinking, due to the fact that our brains are so flexible frequent exposure by so called digital natives to technology is veritably wiring the brain in ways very different than previous generations. What is clear is that, as with advances throughout history, the technology that is available determines how our brains develops. Samuel addresses the optimistic outlook as far as the benefits to society. Technology isn’t the issue, it’s how we use the technology that is given to us. She expresses how technology is for the better and how we must adapt to the ever changing ways that technology is presenting. “We plug in because this new online world offers extraordinary opportunities for creation, discovery, and connection. We plug in because we don't actually want to escape the online world: We want to help create it.” the rise of the Internet is strengthening our ability to scan information rapidly and
“Attention Deficit: The Brain Syndrome of our Era”, “‘Plug In’ Better: A Manifesto”, and “Your Brain on Computers”: A Critical Analysis of the Efficacy of the Methods by which the Authors Convey Their Ideas Technology and our exposure to it are changing our lives; of this there is no doubt. The issue regarding what form that change will take and the effects of it on our physical and emotional health, however, are more contentious, and experts’ opinions on it run the gamut. In “Attention Deficit: The Brain Syndrome of our Era”, neurologist Dr. Richard Restak examines what effect technology has on our brains, and posits that technology, as well as the increasing demand on our brains to perform multiple tasks at once, is causing a decrease In “‘Plug In’ Better: A Manifesto”, technology writer and commentator Dr. Alexandra Samuel states that she believe that there is a middle ground between completely “plugging in” and “unplugging”. She states that we should approach our online interactions in the same ways we approach our offline ones.
When it comes to the topic of technological advances, most of us agree that they are beneficial to humans. Where this agreement usually ends, however, is on the question of whether or not Generation Z is at risk. Whereas, some are convinced that we have become cyborgs and are enslaved to devices that lie in our pockets. Others however, maintain that it can be both beneficial and detrimental. In “We Are All Cyborgs Now,” Amber Case argues that, although there are challenges with online socialization, being able to connect online helps to humanize us in new ways. In “Generation Z: online and at risk” Nicholas Kardaras disagrees, asserting that people with addictive personalities, particularly young people, are risking their mental health by favoring their online connections over their ordinary ones.
Are technology and the media shedding the very fabric of the existence we have known? As technology and the media spread their influence, the debate over the inherent advantages and disadvantages intensifies. Although opinions vary widely on the subject, two writers offer similar views: Professor Sherry Turkle, director of the MIT Initiative on Technology and Self, in her article “Can You Hear Me Now” and Naomi Rockler-Gladen, who formerly taught media studies at Colorado State University, with her article “Me Against the Media: From the Trenches of a Media Lit Class.” Turkle asserts that technology has changed how people develop and view themselves, while at the same time affecting their concepts of time management and focus (270). Similarly, Rockler-Gladen believes media and its inherent advertising have had a profound effect on the values and thinking of the public (284). I could not agree more with Professor Turkle and Ms. Rockler-Gladen; the effects technology and media have worried and annoyed me for quite so time. The benefits of technology and media are undeniable, but so then are the flaws. People are beginning to shift their focus away from the physical world to the virtual world as they find it easier and more comfortable. The intended purpose of technology and media was to be a tool to improve the quality of life, not shackles to tie people to their devices. I no longer recognize this changed world and long for the simple world of my youth.
The human race has made extraordinarily rapid technological progress within the last few decades alone. Sherry Turkle, a professor at MIT, a clinical psychologist and a published author examines society’s response to today’s numerous changes in her book Alone Together. Although at times Turkle overestimates the damage that technology is doing to our society, she makes many valid points about the dangers posed. In her book, the issues raised about our growing substitution of computers for human relationships proves to be problematic, while some of Turkle’s evidence is less ominous than she believes.
These two articles are similar in the sense that they agree that the internet and computational objects are reshaping our brain’s structure by changing our neural circuit. By using examples from their personal experiences to identify a trend in technology use, the authors illustrate that the more we bury ourselves in technology the more we are unable to understand material which leads to loss of concentration and the ability to think for ourselves. As an author, Carr finds the internet a beneficial tool, but it’s having a bad effect on his concentration span. Carr points this out by stating “Immersing myself in a book or lengthy article used to be easy, now I get fidgety, lose the thread and begin looking for something else to do” (39). He is no
Although the book has its flaws, I did enlighten me on how technology affects society. I learned a great deal about technology from the book. I learned more about the increasing attachment of people to technology, how technology affects us socially, and most importantly, the e...
Technology has a significant part in social and educational life of teens and it makes parents and experts think how teenagers become that addicted to technology today. The change in the social life of children and young generation causes to research upon technology’s usage of young people. A recent survey shows that adolescents aged between 10-18 waste an average of six to seven hours with electronic devices like computers and smart phones which cause to negative outcomes as depression, social isolation, anxiety, insomnia, and obesity(“Technology gadgets stealing kids' sleep, shows survey”). The good feeling brought on by the chemical like adrenaline, dopamine as in the gambling addiction and the joy by social networking sites, smart phones, online video games and also not-feeling alone and freedom in virtual world are the factors of technology dependence. This 24/7 online, connected community is actually a place for escaping from stress and bad emotions. The countless facilities and alternatives of virtual world attract the attention of many teens.
The past two decades have overwhelmed the human experience with technology, along with all its distractions. The direct relationship between the mind and the body’s ability to adjust from these distractions can be extremely difficult. Further research has shown that it has become an addiction for many. Technology has significantly improved our lives as a whole through experiences such as Global Positioning System (GPS), cell phones and social networking, allowing us to communicate with different people around the world. These technologies make our daily lives easier and more efficient.
Waking up every day a person is given so many choices of how to complete so many simple task. With technology in their hands people are given the chance to think and use their brains to make those choices instead they are being influenced by whatever technology they have in their grasp at the time. Technology is supposed to provide an extra help and give a reference for people to refer to when they need in other words insist a person with life choices. In so many ways Technology has the potential to make people become lazier and also the possibility to help people become more effective in their daily lives. With technology so overwhelming available everywhere, it has become harder to use it effectively and less. With that being said, Nicholas
Richtel, M. (2010, November 20). Growing Up Digital, Wired for Distraction. The New York Times. Retrieved May 3, 2014, from http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/21/technology/21brain.html?pagewanted=2
Alarming not only for a particular group of people but to the whole of society today is that online gaming addiction among young people. There was one important part of the community that they are being video game addicts - students are studying at universities and colleges. An online questionnaire for video game online gamers was completed with 1420 online gamers - “The data of demographic information show that 50% of gamers were students, 36% were in employed work and the entire of them were unemployed and retired” (Zaheer, Mark and Thom 363). Most of the video ...
Video games are not considered as a serious addiction amongst teenagers and adults, often being compared to severe cases of addiction, such as drug abuse or alcohol abuse that may result in the appearance of a decrease in the severity of the addiction. However, video game addiction is a serious matter and has unhealthy consequences for an individual 's life and their health; spending too much time playing video games can take a great toll on one 's physical and mental well-being. Continuing unhealthy patterns of video game activity for prolonged periods of time can result in mental health issues, physical health problems, and a decline in a social life.
As the time passes, technology is expanding and developing many creative ideas. Unlike in the past, nowadays we have computers, TVs, internet, and many inventions that have bad and good effects on us. Children used to interact with society by hanging out and playing sports with each other, but now we can see a big percentage of children who play video games for many hours daily. Addiction controls the lives of people, there is addiction to drugs, cigarettes, alcohol or gambling, and there are some forms of addiction associated with modern life, such as the Internet and video games. Most people think that video games are harmful and a waste of time.
Video games are often portrayed in a negative manner because they are seen as having an "addictive" quality. Addiction has been defined as "A primary, chronic disease, characterized by impaired control over the use of a psychoactive substance and/or behavior. Despite the wonderful benefits games offer as diversions, spending too much time, to the neglect of normal life duties, and social development with direct contact with others can and often does happen. Clinically, the manifestations occur along biological, sociological, spiritual and especially psychological. Some psychological effects that affect the behaviors are failure to play outdoor games, difficulties in work or school, telling lies to everyone, decreased attention to personal hygiene, decreased attention to family and friends, and disturbances in the sleep cycle. Many video game addicts have strug...
Technology addiction is almost similar to drug addiction. Technology is useful in many ways. Using computer, internet, cellphone, television etc. make peoples’ life easier and comfortable. Young people are the most user of it. They cannot think of a single day without use technical device. Tara Parker-Pope is an author of books on health topics and a columnist for the New York Times. In her article , she expressed that, “The International Center for Media and the Public Agenda at the University of Maryland asked 200 students to refrain from using electronic media for a day. The reports from students after the study suggest that giving up technology cold turkey not only makes life logistically difficult, but also changes our ability to connect with others.” ( Parker-Pope, “An Ugly Toll of Technology: Inpatients”). Her point is that, for the young generation it is quite impossible to give up from becoming addict...