WRITE THIS WEEK IN RESPONE TO ONE OF THESE PROMPTS:
What do you do to limit your electronic intake? If the answer is nothing, why not? Do you disagree with the findings that suggest that our brains are being rewired and may even resemble the brains of drug addicts after prolonged electronics exposure?
--OR--
Choose a line or two in the author's piece and DISAGREE WITH IT. Take issue with some aspect of his assertion in this argumentative piece.
Dr. Weil’s article regarding electronic consumption and it’s parallels with B.F. Skinner’s now famous laboratory rats was quite interesting. I too am a electronic-addict. I spend countless hours on my phone checking emails, making appointments, and keeping abreast of current social trends. My phone is the first thing I touch in the morning, and the last thing I see before I go to bed. My addiction now fully exposed, I must say that as of late I am struggling to “unplug.” This article resonated with me for that reason; I am currently attempting a digital detox in order to better focus on real life and those things that really matter. I’ve created rules for myself that have thus far, failed to curb my addiction. I’ve tried promising myself I would only touch my phone once every hour. Failed. I’ve attempted to set parameters like Dr. Weil mentions in the article that include no screen time after 7 PM, none before 6 AM. Fail. Call it providence, but I’ve recently dropped my phone in the pool, and alas, the damn thing still works. I however, will not give up in my quest to find balance. I know it’s a work in progress, where success is not always easy.
ReplyDeleteI am relatively pleased to say that I do not have an electronic-addiction. The current phone I have right now is ancient. It is not a touch screen, it is not a smart phone, and I can't go on the internet with it because it does not have that function. My main uses for my phone are calling home, texting my friends, storing pictures, and occasionally writing down an idea for a possible story when I don't have a pen or paper. Other than those uses my phone is pretty much a useless brick in my pocket. One thing I would say I'm a little bit addicted to is being on my computer. I love to write and find it a lot easier to type on a computer than write on a piece of paper. I erase so much when I'm writing that on paper I eventually tear a whole, and writing with ink only leaves me with a mess of crossed out lines.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing I like to use my computer for is to read manga online. For those of you who do not know what manga is it is a form of Japanese comic books which is read from right to left. I like reading manga a lot and since its super expensive to buy the volumes I use my computer to read the chapters for free. If I'm not reading manga or I'm not writing, I am doing homework on my computer or listening to music on it since I do not have an iPod, and if I'm not doing any of the four things mentioned above I'm not on my computer.
I do not however, like spending hours and hours sitting in front of my screen trying to write a story and so because of this I have gone back to writing on a piece of paper to limit the time I spend in front of my screen, despite the fact that I end up with more holes than actual words.
I think using a computer solely as either a word processor or as a book reader isn't the same kind of fragmentary electronic addiction. You aren't chasing whims, you are either working or focused on one particular medium.
DeleteThis particular use of a computer seems far more disciplined and productive than is normal in our society. Good on ya!
After reading "Pressing the Bar", twice and then a third time, I have to say that I am in complete agreement with Dr. Weil. To many times have I made the comment to my wife "whatever happened to guys just going over and talking to a girl at a dance?" She responded, "well, you know how elementary school kids can be." I then told her I was speaking about college kids and adults over 35 years old, who were texting a girl or guy they liked that was at a party standing not more than 8 feet away from them. When I asked them to just go over and talk to the person, they responded with "I can't do that, what would I say?", all the while they are texting back and forth for over 40 minutes.
ReplyDeleteIn my case when it comes to limiting my electronic intake, I simply walk away from my computer and at 4 pm I generally turn off my phone for the night until 6 a.m. the next day. During the hours of 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. I read the newspaper, magazine and/or book. After 9 p.m. my wife and I spend the evening together until I go to bed at midnight. So many people in this new generation can not be still and sit in a room with no electronic media. It is as if they will go insane without noise. I know of families a husband and wife and their three kids who all still live together in the same house and they will email and text each other even though they are sitting in the same room. One night they all had their laptops out while we were supposed to be watching a movie and they were actually surfing the net and talking to each other via instant messaging during the movie.
What happens when a society no longer knows how to engage each other in conversation directly or for that matter when immediate family does not know how to just talk directly with each other instead of texting, emailing and even skyping each other while in the same house. Do we need to begin forming and "E.A." organization for Electronics Anonymous????
If the answer is nothing, why not?
ReplyDeleteI have never done anything to limit my electronic use because, honestly, I didn’t think it was a problem. Only now that, I ponder how much my little sisters’ chastise my brother and me for having iPods do I realize that my day-to-day activities (life) revolve around checking my email, calendar, and listening to music. Now I remember my little sister telling me “does it tell you when to poop too?” and I sarcastically replied “No, but I can tell it to”. (hahaha)
Also whenever my mom hears my iPod ring she says “What is it telling you to do now?”
I am completely dependent on my iPod…I don’t even talk to people! I would have to get an iPhone for that...there I go again.
Do you disagree with the findings that suggest that our brains are being rewired and may even resemble the brains of drug addicts after prolonged electronics exposure?
No! Not at all, I am completely addicted to my iPod the first thing I do in the morning is check it to see what I have to do for the rest of the day and at night I check to see what I have to do the next day. My iPod has transformed me into a completely obedient being! That’s what they want!!! Oh my goodness I need to stop! Even at the gym I NEED to listen to music otherwise I won’t work out…
Game plan-
Only access iPod for work related activities such as scheduling reminders, events, and meetings.
That seems fair. I am deleting my Facebook and Twitter. If people want to talk to me they’ll have to do it the old fashioned way.
Thanks Dr.S
I definitely struggle with an electronic addiction. I will while away hours I don't have and stay up too late browsing Reddit, Tumblr, and a host of over sites, switching between them in a frenetic state of wandering attention. While it can be a good way to unwind, I have to keep it under control. Multiple browser tabs being open will doom any project I hope to finish if I'm not careful.
ReplyDeleteAs such, I have instituted some procedures that work well for me. After reading considerably about "sleep hygiene" (only use your sleep space for sleeping and sex) I have put some "workspace hygiene" rules into play. I browse the deepest corners of the Internet upstairs in my room, but I work at the big table downstairs. Part of it is a routine: I sit down with my list of projects in front of me, take of my watch (it bothers me while typing) and set it down where I can see it, I pour coffee from my trusty Thermos, and I put on some atmospheric music in my headphones (Brian Eno, Mogwia, Calm Blue Sean, or something else that is instrumental with slow shifting dynamics).
I've found that this kind of compartmentalizing has helped tremendously in allowing me to remain productive while still occasionally indulging my internet addiction.
First off, it’s very difficult for me to limit my electronic intake simply because I am constantly surrounded by it—at least more than the average person. As a Best Buy Mobile Consultant, I am constantly bombarded with electronics on a daily basis. From the newest Samsung Galaxy S4 to the next generation Ipad, people come in everyday seeking information about anything and everything you could think of. It’s hard to escape my workplace, my school work, and of course my cell phone ever; to say the least. Something that I have implemented as a self rule is to differentiate between the location of where I am while I am browsing the internet for my own personal use and when I am using my laptop for school work. Generally, I try my hardest to complete all my work before heading home. For example, if I have an exam the next day I am more than willing to stay at school until odd hours of the night to study as much as I can before retiring. The reason I do this is simply because I am accustomed to associating my home with comfort. With comfort comes relaxation, and I almost always lose the battle to my bed when I am fighting to do something productive.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the findings that are discussed in the published piece discussed above. Far too often are we engrossed within our virtual conversations that we forget that there are real life people in front of us; where person to person interactions could occur before our eyes, we choose to interact through electronic means.
What do I do to limit my electronic intake? Well, first of I am not really a game kind of person but I sure can stay on the internet for hours and hours on my phone or laptop and not even notice. I guess it has just become part of my daily routine. What exactly do I do online? Facebook and surf the internet occasionally to see what's going on in the world. I've tried limiting my time on facebook but it never seems to work. I will deactivate my facebook a thousand times but end up on it a day later. I've tried logging off facebook on my phone but whenever I pick up my phone my fingers seem to automatically type in the search box "facebook.com". So everything I've tried so far has been a failure.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that the internet or electronics in general can alter our minds. We do not challenge ourselves (minds) anymore. We seems to think that everything is on "google.com". For me, whenever I have a question that I do not understand I try to find the answer on Google instead of actually sitting down and trying to figure it out on my own. I do agree that electronics alters our mind to the minds of drug dealers. Our minds become like drug dealers to the extent that that’s what we start "craving" for our electronics. I do not pick up a book anymore because I want to pick up my phone and know what's going on, on Facebook instead. As horrible as this sounds, that is my drug.
Oh my goodness Sophia me too!
DeleteI thought I was the only one that has deactivated her FB a gazillion times!
I can totally relate to your post.
Thanks for sharing!
What do I do to limit my electronic intake? I personally do not do anything to limit my electronic intake, except for when I am in class or if I am eating at the dinner table. I have a limit for when I am in class because I do feel that it is disrespectful to the instructor or whoever is talking in front of the class. I also have a limit on my electronic intake while I am eating at the dinner table because again I feel that it is a matter of disrespectfulness. I feel as though the dinner table is a place for face-to-face interaction rather than using electronics to communicate with one another. It is also a place to spend time with your family and just talk to each other, which is why phones and anything electronic is not allowed at the dinner table.
ReplyDeleteI do not have any other limits on my electronic intake, except for the two I stated above, because I do not feel as though I excessively use electronics. I usually do not go on my computer unless it is to do school work, research, or pay bills. I do not have a Facebook or any other account on social media sites. They seem like they are addicting from what I have seen first hand with friends and family members, however they have never interested me. That may be one reason for my lack of electronic intake. The one electronic device that I do use the most is my iPhone sadly to say. I use that the most because I do like texting occasionally and I like reading the news on my news apps. I know I sound old, but I like to read about what is going on in the United States and around the world. I am a person that can control my texting and I can go long periods without having to text someone. Before I had my daughter, I would say that I used electronics more but I really do not have a lot of time to actually use them now because of school, homework, and being a full time mom.
I do not disagree with the findings that suggest that our brains are being rewired and may even resemble the brains of drug addicts after prolonged electronics exposure. I see this happening everywhere I go and I have seen it happen to people who are close to me. I know people who literally cannot live without their smartphones or laptops. I have a cousin whose parents took her cell phone away and because she was so addicted to that phone she went to the extreme of breaking into her parents filing cabinet (with a lock) to steal it back. Just as a drug addict would go to the extreme of stealing or burglarizing so they can get that quick fix. There are so many things that you can do with all these new and improving electronics that they are becoming addictions and they are making it hard for people to function normally without them.
Well, I can say that I am a borderline addict. However, I do not have facebook. So that eliminates randomness from other people posting about how they had a delicious lunch. My problem is that I like to know things. I am constantly reading nbcnews.com which use to msnbc.com, yahoo.com, instructables.com, and sites like that. I am also a big music fan, so I can get lost for hours on youtube, if I had the time, just by searching different musicians. I don't really restrict these types of electronic use, only because I don't believe that it is negative. If there wasn't the internet to read about news without paying, I would be reading the newspaper, which I do anyway for local news in Delano. I do however, restrict my time playing the PS3 or the Playstation 3. I only have 1 game for my PS3, and it is Call of Duty. I can honestly say i'm addicted to that game, thus I limit myself, to only a couple hours a week, when school's in session. So that's my only restriction of electronics. I don't plan on getting a facebook any time soon, or ever. I find that to be way to intrusive into my personal life. So I would consider myself in the social drinker stage of electronic addiction
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with the author of the article Pressing the Bar in that we are completely enthralled with our electronics these days. Unfortunately I don't do much to limit my electronic intake mostly because there's no reason to. I like texting for certain things rather than calling someone and having a conversation for something that could have been answered quickly in a text. Like the author said "its easy". I also like surfing the web and having information readily available especially in my profession. I work as a registered nurse and even though we still look a lot of things up in textbooks, the internet is a quick way to get information. Electronic charting has also made life so much easier as well as saved my wrist from becoming crippled with paper charting. I also like how electronics make all of this information readily available by the use of phones, iPads, and laptops. However, I have to agree with the findings of the article. Maybe not to the extent of comparing our electronic addiction to that of an a drug addict but I would say we are coming very close to this. There have been times when I have left my phone at home and had to go all day without it. I too felt the anxiety of not having my life line but after a few hours these feelings subsided and I survived the day without my phone. I think it's a good idea to limit our intake of electronics but I don't see this becoming a fad anytime soon. With the growth of electronics I think our obsession will only become worse.
ReplyDeleteI do not find myself arguing with the article's author and this has a connection with the Society & Media course taught by Professor Alali. The connections between society and the use of media (television, cell phones, internet, etc.)
ReplyDeleteWhat do I do to decrease my electronic usage?
I would say I don't do anything to reduce my electronic intake.
Why?
My job requires me to be connected at all times.
I use a computer system to check-in and out books, and I stay connected with the staff through e-mail and phone.
My education also requires me to use electronics.
Anything that is written has to be typed on the computer. We stay connected through e-mail, computer programs, and telephone.
We have many online courses; it is faster and easier.
The things I do:
I do not have my phone while I am eating dinner with my family.
I do not have my phone by my bed when I sleep.
I do not use my phone as an alarm clock; I automatically wake up at 6 every morning (internal clock).
I really wish I could not have to be infused with electronics. Our society is becoming a virtual society and it is something that is hard to fight. Many businesses are moving towards using electronics, and we even replace workers with machines & computers.
I personally do not limit as much as I would like. I think the best way that used to work for me was having a job where cell phone usage was off limits; having that restriction made me have less of an urge to text or check other things on my phone. Another thing that has limited my electronic intake is to not use my phone during class hours. I have noticed that once I am on campus I am least likely to check my phone because my mind is focused on school. I do believe that our brains are being rewired to respond the way the rats were in B.F. Skinners experiment because I see it in myself, whenever I hear a buzz from my phone I automatically want to check it. It is something that I do want to have more control of because it has made me lose connection with things that are happening around me. I don’t, however agree with the comparison of our brains resembling that of an addict after prolonged exposure. Drug addicts are putting something into their bodies that alter their judgment, brain, and other things. People who have had a long exposure to electronics are not as severe as a drug addict because they still have more control over their decisions than drug addicts do.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with our brains being rewired and I like the fact he was relating it to an addict. I think that technology has really dominated society. I feel that there is so much and we can hardly keep up with it and younger children are asking for it. Although it has its benefits when it comes to paying bills that’s a plus no more waiting in long lines. I try to stay away from all electronics because I feel it makes me lazy and I tend to procrastinate on homework sometimes. I try to limit myself from electronic intake daily only if, I do not have to use it to do homework or pay bills. But it is a challenge to stay away from all electronics when I have free time I try to devote it to my family and leave my phone in my room in a drawer. I have to admit I have snuck back in my room to try to check emails or even just play candy crush which is an addicting game. My kids also try their best not to play too much with their Nintendo Wii or Nintendo DS. When my husband gets home around 6 p.m. or so we have a dinner and, we wait about 45 minutes so then my kids get their bikes and we go out for a walk. When we take a walk my husband and I make a deal and, whoever checks their phone first has to satisfy and complete the other persons bet. Or if the weather isn’t good I try to clean anything just to keep me busy.
ReplyDeleteI would definitely agree that because technology is constantly changing and improving, it has impacted our society both positively and negatively. I know that using Facebook hold much truth that it helps people stay connected or become reconnected. I wouldn't have had my aunt in my life if she never had found me on Facebook. This is something positive Facebook does, brings people together. But on the negative side of it, it can create less conversation between people. Instead of talking to people directly in person, technology has established that sending a Facebook post, a text message, or an email is the best means of communication. Sad to say I do this myself, because of my chaotic schedule, reaching me by cell phone is best way to get a hold of me. However, when I am at dinner, or in a public place I limit my phone use to very minimal. I find it very rude and distracting that when I go out to dinner and look around everybody is on their cell phone either texting, emailing, or surfing the web. This has much to do with the fact that I work at a restaurant and I see this all the time. Families gathered around the table interacting with their phone instead of each other or when I take an order and that person is on the phone; both make me angry to even think about!
ReplyDeleteHowever,I do agree that electronics alters our mind to the minds of drug dealers to some extent. The fact that drugs can alter a drug dealers mind and behavior, technology is the drug has altered our society's mind and behavior.
DeleteI agree, we have an addiction to to technology.I was a mom who would be on her phone while her kids played at the playground. What was so important on my phone, nothing; I would play games, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, and search the web. I realized how bad I looked on my phone when I had seen another parent on her phone while she ignored her child when he was calling for her. Since that moment I implied a rule to me, no phone while I’m spending time with my two daughters. There is little time I spend with my girls due to work and being a full-time student. I need to take the opportunity to enjoy time playing with them.
ReplyDeleteAnother no phone rule is date night with my partner; neither he nor I can be on our phones. We can look at who is calling or texting, but we do not answer or text unless it’s an emergency. At first it was hard to be off our phones, but once we got use to it; we’ve had great conversations. It’s hard having a conversation when the other person is on the phone.
We see everyone on their cellphones or laptops. Happy hours became a drink and being on the phones. Almost everyone offers free Wi-Fi. The days of hanging out with friends and chatting are long gone, now it’s hanging out and tagging each other on Facebook or viewing something online. This generation is classified as the technology era because we depend so much on our gadgets. Dating has become online dating. Everyone seems to be on their phone even while driving. We can no longer go minutes without checking our phones.
I like your rule about date night, that is a good rule and being allowed to see who wrote or texted is you is smart as well. You never know when an emergency arises. I agree with the happy hour part. So many people are interested in posting where they are and where they have been instead of making friends at that new place are talking to people. It's crazy how fast times change in the world of technology. I feel that people are constantly keeping up with technology and it changes so fast that what was normal ten years ago already feels distant.
DeleteWhat do you do to limit your electronic intake? If the answer is nothing, why not? Do you disagree with the findings that suggest that our brains are being rewired and may even resemble the brains of drug addicts after prolonged electronics exposure?
ReplyDeleteI also have noticed the electronic device take over. I am familiar with everyone around me and watch them tap away onto their screens and, I admit, I'm amongst them. I recently took a vacation to Hawaii, Oahu to be exact, and spent about two weeks exploring the island. When I was there I noticed one major difference between the mainland and the island and it was the fact that nearly everyone was NOT occupied with their phone. A friend of mine, a local, told me that no one really plays on their phone because their is so much to do on that island or that it's so peaceful that people really just love to soak it up. If your caught on your phone, you're easily picked out of the crowd and labeled a tourist.
When I got back to the mainland, I made it important to adopt the same habit as our island brothers and sisters and try to stay off my phone as much as possible and enjoy the simple things in life like conversations with strangers and embracing nature for what it is. I did this by making it important to not pull out my phone during meal times, making sure I did what needed to be done that day first, and making certain times of the day to check my phone for messages and emails. It wasn't easy at first but over time it was very easy to do so and right now I can say that I'm not obsessed or caught tapping away on my phone like I used to be.
I would agree that our brains when obsessed with our phone resemble that of a drug addict. I think this because a drug addict has that impulse to feel that high again and to feel that high they have to light up or inject again. There is a wanted effect to a certain action. This resembles the phone as well, people want to feel important or not left out so they constantly check their phone waiting for a message or replying to a message. This then turns into a cycle and before you know it, you are fully consumed into the process of checking, writing, and feeling satisfied for a quick five minutes and the process repeats. Somewhat similar to a drug addict.
I would have to completely agree with the article. I think anyone can relate to the situation in which a group of friends are gathered around all on their phones clicking away. However, what really caught my attention was how the Huffington Post made it mandatory that their employees turn off their phones and rest during the weekends. I myself notice that I spend way too much time on my iPhone which has text messaging, email, and everything else you can think of. However, I would like to start implementing restrictions on technology in my life. But hopefully they are restrictions that cause more freedom and less stress. I would like to start turning off my phone every day after 10 pm during the week. I say this because often times I spend several hours after my day is over on my iPhone, iPad, or laptop when I could be getting more sleep for work or school.
ReplyDeleteI make a conscious effort not to have my face buried in my phone, however this can be very challenging. I will usually put the phone in my bedroom during family dinner time. I also keep it on silent most of the time so I don't hear texts and notifications as often. I agree with what Dr. Weill has written. About a year ago my iPhone broke and I had to use a spare "dinosaur" phone for about 3 days. I seriously was like a drug addict going through withdrawals. As soon as I had the opportunity to go to an Apple store (since the one in Bakersfield hadn't opened yet), I was there!
ReplyDeleteThe only thing that I unconsciously do to possibly limit my electronic intake is to turn off my Wi-Fi and internet on my cell phone; but that’s mainly so it doesn’t drain my battery. On the other hand I have been trying not to get on Facebook that often, but I have become rather addicted to Netflix. I actually agree with Weil that it resembles the brain of drug addicts because they’re a lot of people that are claiming to be addicted to the internet, Facebook, or Twitter. At first I think it was just the allure of something new but some people did sort of become obsessed they are on their 24/7. I know that I have spent days on Netflix watching movies; but usually it’s TV-show and I have watched several seasons in a couple days but I do sleep, eat, and do my regular routine. I think the only bad thing about it, is when someone is completely emerged in it; and their live revolves around this media.
ReplyDeleteI try to limit my cellphone usage by turning it off through out class lectures, work and when doing homework. I find cell phones to be a very distractive device in todays society. I usually drain my cell phones battery by the middle of the day due to text messaging, and social medias. I now have cut back on my usage by turning my cell phone off and engaging myself to other important events that surround me. I agree with Dr. Weil, our electronic usage does resemble drug addicts. Society is too involved with technology that we do not learn to limit our usage but we rather increase our obsession to these devices. My Iphone was stollen a couple years ago and I right away was using my old flip phone. As soon as I was able to jump on a new smart phone I did; I could not stand to texting through a flip phone, I needed a key board. This is just one of many examples of the addiction I had with electronics. I have learned to cut back on my usage but still catch myself at times going over board.
ReplyDelete"I urge you to do a similar inventory of your place on the indifferent-to-obsessed electronic media scale and exert discipline to adjust your life accordingly." I do agree that as humans we do have that addiction to touch a screen in the moment of silence or accwardness, but I disagree that we need to limit ourselves. By that I mean It isn't the phone we are trying to get away from, its the people we would leave hanging if we don't reply. On sundays Ik try not to use my phone at all, it annoys me to see it because then I want to touch it and don't even know what I am looking for, but it just satisfies me to do it. He says that we need to limit ourselves literally but doesn't offer a way to do it. I disagree with just his version of saying it. I think he should of said to let the people know when you are available to respond to the messages. I mean its not the phone we want, its the person on the other side.
ReplyDeleteI personally do not do anything to limit my electronic intake. I have never really thought about trying to limit it before, and I definitel haven't considered why I don't limit it. I've heard all kinds of negative statistics on how constant and continued use of electronic devices can affect us, and yet I have never stopped to think about limiting my use. I suppose that this is because of the day and age that we live in and the constant push for more and more dependence on electronic devices. Society tells that we need the newest, best devices out there, and we feed into it. We've developed this idea that we need these devices to function in our day to day lives, and society feeds this delusion. Because of this, I believe that we convince ourselves that this need overrules the negative consequences that come with the use. I do not disagree with the findings that suggest our brains are being rewired. While some technology can be used for good, educational purposes, I think that most use harms us rather than being beneficial.
ReplyDelete