Comments on: We’re Smarter in Year 2060, or Are We?

By: courtney

courtney — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 22:08:20 +0000

I’d like to comment on this – I just finished lecturing on this topic today. My students have difficulty working through the challenges of one focus at a time. They are unable (initially) to think about the project before them creatively. They simply see it as it is – without wondering if there could possibly be more information available.

I do a simple activity – where all of the information is before them. They take it just as it’s given – no manipulation. I don’t know if it’s the classroom environment (aka do as you’re told) or if they just really can’t move past the ideas.

By: meetjohnsong

meetjohnsong — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:55:29 +0000

Thanks Mark for your comment. One personal example was this weekend when I tried to watch the Seahawks’ game and twitter at the same time. Neither was very enjoyable, until I closed my laptop and focused on the game. Although my team lost, the experience was much more interesting and engaging, thus enjoyable.
I like what you said, “slow down; just focus on one task at a time (and take time to enjoy each moment)”. Unfortunately, that is becoming harder and harder to do.

By: Mark Simonds

Mark Simonds — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:25:50 +0000

There are many times that I find myself wanting to do too many things concurrently. I have made efforts recently to try to slow things down; just focus on one task at a time (and take time to enjoy each moment).

Related to the constant need for mental stimulation that you predict (it’s here already!), I have already seen a change in how we are subjected to (or subject ourselves to) tiny bits of news/information without seeing/wanting to see the bigger picture. Maybe it is just a function of the accelerating pace of modern life.

Good article.