#distractedmind

[raymond-thomas]

What are your strategies to calm a distracted brain? We can learn so much from @thrive. Ask us at @enibleyourlife now and we can tell you more. #enibleyourlife #B1OFUS #strategies #selfleadership #distractedmind (at Asia/Singapore) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuiRYsUBlHV/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=lv16mlv93yht

[twinkletoeslow]

Comfort music 🎶 #comfortmusic #nancigriffith #othervoicesotherrooms #gradingspellingtests #musictogrowupto #thinkingofstessani #imnotokaybutimtrying #cancersucks #🖕cancer #distractedmind

[dairelynch]

Destruction detail #rarrrr #distractedmind #arte #artistoninstagram

[heartint0w]

To Tina (distractedmind) that submitted a post, thank you so much for helping getting the word out and I would really love to get in contact with you about the information the other bg grad had! Feel free to email me at [email protected]

[hughmcfall]

The Distracted Mind

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the impact that technology and the Internet has had on our brains. Like many mechanical tools of the past, our brains have been fundamentally changed through the use of the Internet and its digital tools. However, we still believe that we are in control. We believe that we are the masters of our digital devices, and can use them or banish them at our will. I myself used to be a believer of this. Whenever I have friends over, I implement the “phones in the bowl” policy, which means we all have to put our cell phones in a small red bowl on the coffee table so we can spend time together without distraction. I thought this solved the problem, and would bring us back to the times in which we’d have lengthy, thoughtful conversations and enjoy each others presence. As studies of the digital brain have shown, this is simply not the case. Putting your phone in the bowl does hardly anything, because after years of using cell phones, Facebook, and other Internet tools, the damage has already been done. Years ago, media prophet Marshall McLuhan explains this perfectly. In his words:

"Our conventional response to all media, namely that it is how they are used that counts, is the numb stance of the technological idiot. For the 'content' of a medium is like the juicy piece of meat carried by the burglar to distract the watchdog of the mind...”

Using the book as an example, McLuhan’s point can best be explained as follows: It’s not what book you read, but how you choose to read it. Unlike paper books, online reading is cluttered with hyperlinks, videos, photos, and other interactive content. The idea is that we’ll learn much more if we read some text, look at photos, and watch a quick video, than if we just read an 8 paragraph essay on the same topic. But when it comes to acquiring knowledge, this isn’t the case. Online reading gives us a superficial idea that we are actually learning, when really we are simply scanning and skimming.

The endless hyperlinks empower us in the search for where the next click may lead us, which distracts the mind and impairs our focus and ability to think deeply. As a result, we never actually learn as much as we could if we were to read without distraction. I often find that immediately after “reading” an article on a website, I can’t recall what I just read. That seems so ridiculous to me that I knew I needed to make a change. So I’ve decided to read more paper books and magazines, and reduce my Google Reader subscriptions to only the most important ones. By doing so, I’ve noticed that this helps “linear” thought process. By reading a book from start to finish, not only do you (arguably) acquire more knowledge on the subject, but your brain starts to be molded by the paper book. You start to think problems through fully, think more deeply, and focus on one thing. I believe that in this day and age, that’s a valuable skill to have. The question is, how do you get it?

If this sounds like something you want to avoid - if you’re searching for the ability to focus and think deeply - you must be able to realize how the Internet is affecting you, even in the smallest ways. You may think that a chime sound every time you get a new email, or the screen flashing with every new text message, has no serious effect on how you think, interact, or do things. But it does. The more it happens, the larger impact it has. Realizing that, and then taking the necessary steps (turning off the chime, disabling constant notifications, etc), will help you regain control of your brain and restore it to a more calm, focused state. Of course, this is just one suggestion. There is no one path or action to accomplishing this. Instead, you need to evaluate how the Internet is involved in your life; whether its your cell phone use, time spent on your laptop, etc; and what areas you need to make changes in.

Before you make any changes, consider one important fact: The use of these digital tools are essential to succeed in the world today. Constant connection to your boss, co-workers, friends and family is becoming increasingly necessary and expected. This “constant state of flux”, then, may be here to stay. So, in order to not get left behind, you should reconsider how you use certain technologies, and perhaps place limits or restrictions on using them. I don't think the best choice is to deactivate Facebook and throw your cellphone in the river. Instead, use these devices smarter. Set a 10 minute timer when you use Twitter. Only keep one tab open when web browsing. The ideas are endless. Simply put, you must become a master of your own senses, and how the world around you affects them. As our friend McLuhan puts it:

“The serious artist is the only person able to encounter technology with impunity, just because he is an expert aware of the changes in sense perception."

It is possible, if you’re willing, to change how your brain works, which in turn changes how you operate in day-to-day life. Internet tools have changed our perception and involvement of the great world we have around us. There’s a lot of it out there to see, a lot of experiences to be had, and a lot of great stories to hear. Let’s take the time to appreciate them.