Part 1
Today is one of those rare days where I am awake earlier than 10 am. That might sound like a good sleep in for most people but it has been an increasingly disturbing problem for myself.
Late nights and even later waking up hours aren't new to me. The problems it has been causing however is definitely new. And perhaps more worryingly, it is the root of the problem which is the cause for concern.
Most people would not consider their connection to PC's, laptops, tablets, or mobile phones (smart watches?) an issue. The American Psychological Association certainly does not think an addictive connection to the internet warrants it to be a disorder.
But let me just paint a picture of the problem I am having for you.
My job requires me to be working productively with computers. I spend sometimes 6-8 hours a day in my office on a computer screen (multiple screens actually). As we have multiple clinics where I am required to go to, I often carry a Windows 8 tablet or an iPad with me also. And when I get home, I go straight to my room to sit down on a desk with more screens.
If notifications in my pocket from a Samsung phone isn't enough, every notification now also goes to my Android Wear watch.
I read my lecture notes, textbooks, news, blogs, and ebooks on a Nexus tablet (I have a no-paper policy when it comes to studying and reading anything). I watch my lectures, TV and YouTube (yes, those TED Talks I keep blogging about) on an internet-connected "Smart" TV next to my desk. Heck I even rely on them to control my heater, lights, and speakers.
I see it as my personal responsibility for work to stay connected. It is a responsibility I have perhaps placed upon myself to keep up-to-date with the latest news and innovations so that our business stays ahead of the competitor. But even away from that, I really do love all my connected gadgets. As much as anything, they perhaps define who I am.
And it is that last statement that should concern me the most writes Neuroscience Professor Susan Greenfield for the Daily Mail. In her article Modern technology is changing the way our brains work, says neuroscientist she goes on to explain how the ever expanding and intrusive reliance on gadgets has placed an "unprecedented crisis" on human identity. She says:
"Already, it's pretty clear that the screen-based, two dimensional world that so many teenagers - and a growing number of adults - choose to inhabit is producing changes in behaviour. Attention spans are shorter, personal communication skills are reduced and there's a marked reduction in the ability to think abstractly."Professor Greenfield further postulates usage of technological devices has an impact on the micro-cellular structures of our brain. A fact many other researchers have found to be increasingly true. And as it affects our mental architecture, it will in turn affect our personality, behaviour, characteristics and alter our human identity.
The effect of technology on human identity, psychology and the brain is a relatively hot new topic in research. I admit before this post I had not been well read on these concerns and I thought nothing of my use of technology. From my perspective, I believe this debate will continue for some time yet. There is no doubting the benefits of technology (this will be the topic of part 2), but there is much to question.
The need to be connected to my devices raises two other damaging concerns - focus and lack of sleep.
I can readily admit I have never been one capable of zeroing in on tasks with complete utter focus. Yet for any task to be accomplished, there must at least be a time where your working memory must maintain a coherent line of thought-processing. But in today's world, with multiple screens it is increasingly difficult to maintain.
Nicholas Carr writing for wired.com had this to say about the web shattering focus:
"Even as the internet grants us easy access to vast amounts of information, it is turning us into shallower thinkers, literally changing the structure of our brain... The depth of our intelligence hinges on our ability to transfer information from working memory, the scratch pad of consciousness, to long-term memory, the mind's filing system."Now we have known for quite some time that working memory is limited. And the vast amount of data and screens that are in use is cognitively overloading our working memory. Carr further explains "when the load exceeds our mind's ability to process and store it, we're unable to retain the information or draw connections with other memories." Now do you see why having Facebook open on one screen and even briefly glancing at your news feed has damaging implications to your focus and chances of completing your tasks.
It is true I am a creature of efficiency and multitasking is something I desire to master. But I am guilty of leaving my Facebook on one screen, phone nearby for messages, and listening to music on my headphones. Call me stupid but it is difficult to explain to others when I am without these things I feel agitated and twitchy. For most, these are distractions best to be without when trying to study or work. It is certainly one of the problems I must face and learn to do without.
The other concern leads to me to the reason I started writing this post in the first place. Firstly, let me get out of the way that I do not spend my nights on internet chat rooms and surfing adult rated materials. What does occur however is despite getting into bed, I often lie there for 10-15 minutes reading stuff on my tablet. This can sometimes (precisely how I ended up on blogger at 4 am) lead to discovery of things. Then research. Then other discoveries. Sometimes shopping. Other times watching content. And the next thing you know, it's 5 am and you have to be up in 4 hours to go to work.
Numerous researchers have found that emitted light from gadgets before you go to bed can affect your sleep. Ingrid Nesdale Fossum and research team found that usage of electronic media usage in bed exacerbated the severity of insomnia symptoms. Without trying to sound like a hypochondriac, insomnia is probably something I have had to deal with for years. And this is the crux of the problem. Its a vicious cycle.
While I will never forego any of my devices (of course not considering the amount of money I have spent), the research for this post alone has helped me come up with compromises. There are those who claim that technology is becoming too intrusive and damaging the wiring of our brains. But a 3D printer can make a gun the same as it can create a human organ to save lives. It is knowledge and understanding of our tools and what we choose to do with it that defines what effects it has on us.
And I am definitely going to choose more wisely now.
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| Just a limited view of my work space. |
