Despite evidence that technology is competitively impacting our attention spans, a scholarly paper released this past July challenges the idea that it’s making us less intelligent. Cognitive offloading into digital spaces frees up the brain to focus on the endless stream of information coming to us; but if that only frees up mental energy to switch to the next technological stimulus, is the tech changing how our brains work?
Professor Chemero from the University of Cincinnati argues that you don’t need to worry about the use of a smartphone impacting your cognitive abilities—he and his team of colleagues believe it’s actually helping enrich our cognitive potential.
Digital Intelligence Evolution
The impetus to solve math problems by hand as we once did, or to use a compass and a map to build a route, has been replaced by digital technology like calculators or GPS systems. These fundamental skills have been a part of human life for the generations that have gone before us, so now that we’ve become accustomed to letting these skills get rusty, are we losing our smarts? While that viewpoint is an easy one to make, because as we know practice makes perfect, Chemero believes that it’s not taking into consideration the way it’s changed our brains’ behavior for the better.
Instead of focusing on the loss of rudimentary skills, Chemero offers that we’re actually capable of doing much more complex processes because our brains aren’t bogged down with the minute details. With smart tech, we can build further out and extrapolate past just simple tasks. We leverage real-time traffic data for smarter navigation, surpassing traditional methods with faster, dynamic route adjustments. This enables us to explore new paths instantly, enhancing efficiency and saving time on navigation planning.
Tech’s Impact on Skills
Smart technology expands our skillsets beyond traditional reliance, fostering adaptability and enabling diverse competencies for modern challenges. It broadens our skill horizon, fostering adaptability and equipping us with diverse competencies for contemporary demands. Exploring unfamiliar routes can broaden your connections and open up new possibilities beyond your comfort zone. Embracing smart technology allows for split-second decisions, enhancing our capabilities and opening doors to unforeseen opportunities. Smart tech’s calculations enable quick decisions, fostering possibilities. Remember basic skills and have a backup plan for reliability.
When your phone battery dies during navigation, smart technology becomes ineffective. It highlights the importance of preparedness and traditional methods. Always have a backup plan, whether it’s a physical map or honed skills, to rely on when technology fails. Your brain is the ultimate tool, accessible no matter where you are or what situation you face.
Further Reading
Lorenzo Cecutti, Anthony Chemero, Spike W. S. Lee. Technology may change cognition without necessarily harming it. Nature Human Behaviour, 2021; DOI: 10.1038/s41562-021-01162-0
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