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Hooked On Gadgets, and Paying a Mental Price

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the can't-talk-now-texting dept.

Zecheus writes "In the New York Times: 'Scientists say juggling e-mail, phone calls, and other incoming information can change how people think and behave. They say our ability to focus is being undermined by bursts of information.'"

2 of 180 comments (clear)

  1. step #1, ignore the phone when it rings by petes_PoV · · Score: 4, Interesting
    We've conditioned ourselves to stop doing almost everything in order to answer a phonecall. Even if we have no idea who's calling, we are prepared to interrupt most activities and (unforgivably) most people in order to speak to a little voice who almost certainly only called because they want something.

    I say, let them wait. If it's important they can leave a message - although there's nothing that a normal person can tell us that can't bear being delayed for an hour or two. If they are prepared to do some work themselves, they can TEXT you, instead.

    --
    politicians are like babies' nappies: they should both be changed regularly and for the same reasons
  2. I agree by pcraven · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I used to be a good programmer until I got into management. The flood of information, calls, and e-mails that came in seriously did a number on my brain. It felt like it was being remapped.

    I've gotten out of that field, but I still feel the effects from it. Now I've taken to learning Russian. I think I enjoy it because of the concentration required.