how the web became our 'external brain' and what it means for our kids

[bcbm]

http://www.wired.com/2014/08/end-of-absence-how-technology-changes-our-brains-society-children/

[ckaihatsu]

The most startling example of our brain’s malleability, though, comes from new research by neural engineers at Boston University who now suggest that our children will be able to “incept” a person “to acquire new learning, skills, or memory, or possibly restore skills or knowledge that has been damaged through accident, disease, or aging, without a person’s awareness of what is learned or memorized.” The team was able to use decoded functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to modify in highly specific ways the brain activity in the visual cortex of their human subjects.


Yeah, be on the lookout for children sneaking up on you with one of *these* to mindfuck you with 'inception'....


http://www.bingobloggers.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/emo.jpg


x D





We may be on our way to becoming servants to the evolution of our own technologies. The power shifts very quickly from the spark of human intention to the absorption of human will by a technology that seems to have intentions of its own.


Ummmmmm, so who exactly is writing the checks for this technology that '[absorbs] human will' -- ?

Someone's been watching 'The Matrix' too many times in a row -- (!)





But we’ll likely find there was no robotic villain behind the curtain. Our own capitalist drive pushes these technologies to evolve. We push the technology down an evolutionary path that results in the most addictive possible outcome. Yet even as we do this, it doesn’t feel as though we have any control. It feels, instead, like a destined outcome—a fate.


It-feels-like-a-destined-outcome-a-fate. It-feels-like-a-destined-outcome-a-fate. It-feels-like-a-destined-outcome-a-fate. It-feels-like-a-destined-outcome-a-fate. It-feels-like-a-destined-outcome-a-fate. It-feels-like-a-destined-outcome-a-fate. It-feels-like-a-destined-outcome-a-fate. It-feels-like-a-destined-outcome-a-fate. It-feels-like-a-destined-outcome-a-fate. It-feels-like-a-destined-outcome-a-fate. It-feels-like-a-destined-outcome-a-fate. It-feels-like-a-destined-outcome-a-fate. It-feels-like-a-destined-outcome-a-fate. It-feels-like-a-destined-outcome-a-fate. It-feels-like-a-destined-outcome-a-fate. It-feels-like-a-destined-outcome-a-fate. It-feels-like-a-destined-outcome-a-fate. It-feels-like-a-destined-outcome-a-fate. It-feels-like-a-destined-outcome-a-fate. It-feels-like-a-destined-outcome-a-fate.


x D

[Red Economist]

I've tried to 'give up' the internet from time to time (I've haven't managed more than four days because it leaves quite a big void) because I suspected it was having an effect on me psychologically (and wondering if it contributes to depression). What I found instead that, yes I do use the internet compulsively, but that compulsion isn't because of the technology, more like unhappiness in other areas of my life finding an escape online. So I would question the argument about how technology 'dominates us' and how we've lost control of it- most probably we're not in control of ourselves and that's how the capitalists would want it because we'll keep buying stuff without thinking. learning to 'unplug' is actually really important- and there is a tendency for technology to condition us to think superficially as deep thought requires time alone without distractions to get to know yourself and what's going on in your head.

When I'm using my laptop on the internet, Physically, I'm sitting doing nothing but staring at a screen- so that level of inactivity can't be good for my health or my waistline. mentally, there is something quite pavlovian about how you 'press buttons' and 'get a response' from the machine/internet, and the passivity of the interaction must certain have an effect on how we think. This has got to be true of gaming which is very repetitive (and enjoyable) but no doubt must re-wire the brain for what we're doing. so I'm not surprised that scientists are says Information technology conditions behavior.
But the idea of 'incept' new skills etc, is bull; most skills are learnt by interacting with the environment and are not purely 'mental' processes and involve physical interaction. I play the piano and am fairly good, but even after 10 years I hit a wrong note occasionally. As cool as it is to believe we can just plug into the external brain and download a new skill- it just sounds like turning mental faculties into commodities for consumerism, instant gratification and a very naive attempt to substitute technology for putting the time in to learn an art or skill. seriously, it's worth the effort for when you get it right; the rush of endorphins is evolution telling us 'this is what you're supposed to do and it feels good'. :grin:

[ckaihatsu]

I've tried to 'give up' the internet from time to time (I've haven't managed more than four days because it leaves quite a big void) because I suspected it was having an effect on me psychologically (and wondering if it contributes to depression). What I found instead that, yes I do use the internet compulsively, but that compulsion isn't because of the technology, more like unhappiness in other areas of my life finding an escape online. So I would question the argument about how technology 'dominates us' and how we've lost control of it- most probably we're not in control of ourselves and that's how the capitalists would want it because we'll keep buying stuff without thinking. learning to 'unplug' is actually really important- and there is a tendency for technology to condition us to think superficially as deep thought requires time alone without distractions to get to know yourself and what's going on in your head.

When I'm using my laptop on the internet, Physically, I'm sitting doing nothing but staring at a screen- so that level of inactivity can't be good for my health or my waistline. mentally, there is something quite pavlovian about how you 'press buttons' and 'get a response' from the machine/internet, and the passivity of the interaction must certain have an effect on how we think. This has got to be true of gaming which is very repetitive (and enjoyable) but no doubt must re-wire the brain for what we're doing. so I'm not surprised that scientists are says Information technology conditions behavior.
But the idea of 'incept' new skills etc, is bull; most skills are learnt by interacting with the environment and are not purely 'mental' processes and involve physical interaction. I play the piano and am fairly good, but even after 10 years I hit a wrong note occasionally. As cool as it is to believe we can just plug into the external brain and download a new skill- it just sounds like turning mental faculties into commodities for consumerism, instant gratification and a very naive attempt to substitute technology for putting the time in to learn an art or skill. seriously, it's worth the effort for when you get it right; the rush of endorphins is evolution telling us 'this is what you're supposed to do and it feels good'. :grin:


Or you could just go online and get some endorphins at eBay.... (har!)

I'll weigh in to say that using a computer / Internet is like adjusting to anything else -- people who have anxiety with technology just haven't taken the time to feel-out what they themselves want to *do* with it. It should be seen as an exploration of sorts, and that's no different than reading a book or taking a journey somewhere.

I'll be looking for your instructional video on how to play the piano for 10 years straight without hitting a wrong note.... (grin)

[Red Economist]

I'll weigh in to say that using a computer / Internet is like adjusting to anything else -- people who have anxiety with technology just haven't taken the time to feel-out what they themselves want to *do* with it. It should be seen as an exploration of sorts, and that's no different than reading a book or taking a journey somewhere.

I think the passivity of computers and the internet is the issue. If you're learning a skill like carpentry, painting or cooking, you actually have to physically 'do' something. with the exception of pushing buttons and clicking a mouse- that majority of the stuff we do on the internet is mental. so I think it probably has more effect than most other things.
This is a guess, but you're definitely right- there have been some studies that show social media triggers social anxiety- but I think it's because of the anxiety offline being taken online.


I'll be looking for your instructional video on how to play the piano for 10 years straight without hitting a wrong note.... (grin)

Sorry. that might have come out a bit jerkish which was not my intention. I think it's something like 'muscle memory' more than anything conscious. So with practice, your hands loosen up and get used to it and find there way around (so it often looks more impressive than it actually is). if you stretch to a note you haven't played before (such as in a particular sequence) you'll screw it up several times before your hands get used to it because you have to train them to 'go there'.

[ckaihatsu]

I think the passivity of computers and the internet is the issue. If you're learning a skill like carpentry, painting or cooking, you actually have to physically 'do' something. with the exception of pushing buttons and clicking a mouse- that majority of the stuff we do on the internet is mental. so I think it probably has more effect than most other things.
This is a guess, but you're definitely right- there have been some studies that show social media triggers social anxiety- but I think it's because of the anxiety offline being taken online.


I've always been quite the technophile, so compared to me everyone *else* has anxiety around computers.... (grin)

Maybe I've hit a nerve here, since I'd say that there's *nothing* 'passive' about using technology, including being social over the net -- as you're pointing out, these things, like any personal interest, require a pro-active intention on the part of the doer.





Sorry. that might have come out a bit jerkish which was not my intention.


No, not at all.





I think it's something like 'muscle memory' more than anything conscious. So with practice, your hands loosen up and get used to it and find there way around (so it often looks more impressive than it actually is). if you stretch to a note you haven't played before (such as in a particular sequence) you'll screw it up several times before your hands get used to it because you have to train them to 'go there'.


Yeah....

[Red Economist]

Maybe I've hit a nerve here, since I'd say that there's *nothing* 'passive' about using technology, including being social over the net -- as you're pointing out, these things, like any personal interest, require a pro-active intention on the part of the doer.

I requestmed my account to be de-activiated for a few months a week ago, so I'm not sure if I will be able to reply beyond this point.

I would make the point that there is a difference between the intention, which is mental process, and the actual process of physical interaction. I fully understand what you're saying about how much concentration and attention using the internet, computers and gaming requires, but in physical terms, it is relatively passive. So as an activity, it is probably having a disproportionate affect on the way we think and behave because of this. So I suspect it's more than possible there is some kind of 're-wiring' going on in the Brain, as this occurs with every activity we learn. The tricky question is when the habits and thought patterns we developed online go offline. I think this is probably a question about how we define 'passivity' or 'activity' to be honest.

I'm envious of a lot of people who feel comfortable round technology as I came from a family who is somewhat technophobic; the kind of "don't touch it, it might break" anxiety which I've gradually unlearned. Good for you if you know what you're doing; it's a really important skill. :grin:

[ckaihatsu]

I requestmed my account to be de-activiated for a few months a week ago, so I'm not sure if I will be able to reply beyond this point.


Okay -- feel free to reach me at my email, [email protected]





I would make the point that there is a difference between the intention, which is mental process, and the actual process of physical interaction.


Okay.





I fully understand what you're saying about how much concentration and attention using the internet, computers and gaming requires, but in physical terms, it is relatively passive.


Let's say 'minimally-kinesthetic'. (And I never mentioned gaming, per se.)





So as an activity, it is probably having a disproportionate affect on the way we think and behave because of this.


Not any more so than playing the piano in a dedicated way would disproportionately affect someone in *that* general direction -- you may want to expand on your idea here if this is your intended thesis.





So I suspect it's more than possible there is some kind of 're-wiring' going on in the Brain, as this occurs with every activity we learn.


Indisputably, as the article details.





The tricky question is when the habits and thought patterns we developed online go offline. I think this is probably a question about how we define 'passivity' or 'activity' to be honest.


Fire away -- I'm listening.





I'm envious of a lot of people who feel comfortable round technology as I came from a family who is somewhat technophobic; the kind of "don't touch it, it might break" anxiety which I've gradually unlearned. Good for you if you know what you're doing; it's a really important skill. :grin:


Thanks -- I *have* seen commensurate rewards on a personal level, from my efforts -- the downside (for me, anyway) was having to "wait" for several years while the tools I wanted to use became more commonly available, due to anticipated advances in computer hardware, and open-source software development. Here are the results, for the most part, so far:


tinyurl.com/ckaihatsu-diagrams-revleft