February 14, 2011
Smart phones make you less smart
It’s official. Trying to read or write something intelligent (like this blog, for example) is rendered 17% less efficient if you have your Smart Phone on at the same time. Apparently, once interrupted by a bleep or a little red flash, we learn to expect interruptions. And, worse, we start dealing with interruptions instead of remaining focused on the task in hand. It’s a learned behaviour that is hard to unlearn.
If you think I’m overdoing it, read this article in the Guardian, where researchers from the University of Kent have proved as much with clever cameras and stop watches. They were researching the work environment. I suspect that the impact on social “focus” is probably worse. Maybe making us 34% less present in social situations?
Just wondering when the smart thing to do will be to go smart-free? Says he, writing a blog that you may well pick up on a Smart Phone. After it flashes and bleeps at you. Thoughts?
3 Comments
It's very hard to concentrate being on the hamster wheel of modern communications. I went out without my mobile the other day, and felt naked without it. I am in meetings talking about serious stuff and it is difficult becasue so many senior people are only semi-present, distracted by what's on their I Phone.
Thanks John
I think this will become a bigger issue in the future. Hopefully, being "semi-present" will become gradually unacceptable again!
Mark
Read blog on iPhone. Commenting on iPhone. A necessary evil but total agree, I notice my attention span is completely reduced and the need to be doing more than one thing very addictive.
Leave a comment
Three-headed thanks
10 months ago
© 2021 manwith3heads. All rights reserved.