14 replies to this topic

[#1hit]

Curiosity struck me for whatever reason to do some brief research into how computers, televisions, video games, electronics, etc affect the human brain. I just read a couple articles on google so far, but there really hasn't been alot of information thus far in my search. Basically just that using technology makes people's minds more efficient at processing information, but that the constant barrage of information can cause information overload / wire people up / stimulate them too much, making it hard to sleep, especially if the technology is used for a prlonged period of time.

I have been an avid user of technology since I was in my early years, starting with the tv and gameboy and now with using the computer for schoolwork and regular work. Does anyone have any input or interesting articles that look at the effect of technology on people's brains, specifically computers?

Also, these days I seem to get a headache if I'm staring at a screen for a sustained period of time. Is there any connection between headaches and technology use?

[spider]

Curiosity struck me for whatever reason to do some brief research into how computers, televisions, video games, electronics, etc affect the human brain. I just read a couple articles on google so far, but there really hasn't been alot of information thus far in my search. Basically just that using technology makes people's minds more efficient at processing information, but that the constant barrage of information can cause information overload / wire people up / stimulate them too much, making it hard to sleep, especially if the technology is used for a prlonged period of time.

I have been an avid user of technology since I was in my early years, starting with the tv and gameboy and now with using the computer for schoolwork and regular work. Does anyone have any input or interesting articles that look at the effect of technology on people's brains, specifically computers?

I think the internet in particular is -- or has the potential to become – great to accelerate the learning process of individuals.

Although it can indeed be overwhelming, there are a lot of data sources via the internet at your disposal. The trick is to develop the skill to filter out the most reliable and highest quality sources.

Finally, computers are great time and mental energy savers by doing large quantities of mundane and boring data processing and calculations. This allows you to spend your valuable time and energy on more challanging and fun mental tasks.

Also, these days I seem to get a headache if I'm staring at a screen for a sustained period of time. Is there any connection between headaches and technology use?

Just like old school learning like reading books, generating complex solutions by using pen and paper, you need to take a break every hour or so. This is necessary to relax the mind, your eyes and the body (the spine). Also, it can help to have a high quality computer screen.

Edited by spider, 29 November 2011 - 05:15 PM.

[health_nutty]

I always thought the smarter my phone gets, my brain compensates by becoming dumber

[hippocampus]

I think many ppl have worse attention if they use internet more, because they're jumping from page to page and looking for bits of information and they found it harder to read a long book or sth like that.

Edited by hippocampus, 29 November 2011 - 05:21 PM.

[longevitynow]

Pure brain rot. People stop reading, or only read short passages on the internet rather than books or fiction. And that's if they are even reading on the net (vs gaming, porn, youtube, etc).

[MrHappy]

Oh, I don't know about that.. I spend 12-16 hours a day in front of computers / internet and the more I learn, the more I want to learn. It has accelerated my education significantly. I also enjoy reading books.

I actually watch TV to turn off my brain....<tinfoil hat> or sometimes to find out what the media is trying to sell me this week. </tinfoil hat>

Having said all of that, I will comment that I increasingly have little tolerance for a slow moving movie/narrative. eg. go watch '2001: A Space Odyssey' and see how you like it nowadays, sober.

Edited by MrHappy, 30 November 2011 - 11:36 AM.

[JChief]

Oh, I don't know about that.. I spend 12-16 hours a day in front of computers / internet and the more I learn, the more I want to learn. It has accelerated my education significantly. I also enjoy reading books.

I actually watch TV to turn off my brain....<tinfoil hat> or sometimes to find out what the media is trying to sell me this week. </tinfoil hat>

Having said all of that, I will comment that I increasingly have little tolerance for a slow moving movie/narrative. eg. go watch '2001: A Space Odyssey' and see how you like it nowadays, sober.

lol.. and I'd have to agree with much of this. Technology is a good thing for those who seek knowledge (or at least wish to put their critical thinking skills to the test ) It opens doors and possibly closes others. It's just different. My biggest issue was how staring at computer monitors affects eyesight first and foremost.

[AbolishtheState]

Oh, I don't know about that.. I spend 12-16 hours a day in front of computers / internet and the more I learn, the more I want to learn. It has accelerated my education significantly. I also enjoy reading books.

I actually watch TV to turn off my brain....<tinfoil hat> or sometimes to find out what the media is trying to sell me this week. </tinfoil hat>

Having said all of that, I will comment that I increasingly have little tolerance for a slow moving movie/narrative. eg. go watch '2001: A Space Odyssey' and see how you like it nowadays, sober.

While I will agree that 2001: A Space Odyssey is much more exciting whilst under the influence of psychotropic substances, I still find myself enthralled watching it, regardless of my mental state.

[Marios Kyriazis]

There is a medical condition called 'computer eye syndrome' which affects people who spend a lot of time in front of a computer screen. It causes watery eyes, difficultty in concentrating and headaches.

However, I firmly believe that the use of computers (in general any digital device) will enhance the function of the brain. There were some concerns that the more intelligent your device becomes, the less your brain will need to work (see for example the use of calculators, our own mathematical abilities have declined, as the use of calculators has become widespread). But recent research has discounted this.

So, I would recommend to use computers as much as possible BUT ONLY in a meaningful way, in oder to communicate, learn, stimulate and be stimulated, etc.

[AbolishtheState]

On a more on-topic note, I find that technology use can go either way in regards to effects on the brain. On one hand, the internet provides instance access to a significant amount of the collective knowledge of the entire human species; and technology significantly improves the efficiency and accuracy with which we carry out various tasks. On the other hand, some people use it more like a crutch than a tool for self-betterment--why bother with spelling when spellchecker takes care of it all; why bother with math when we have advanced calculators; etc--it contributes to a decline in social skills for some (myself included); it may lead to unproductive meandering (I have spent many hours spam refreshing Facebook and going on random Youtube tangents); and finally it may result in a sedentary lifestyle, isolation, various repetitive stress syndromes (carpal tunnel syndrome, computer eye syndrome, etc), and lack of sun exposure. Technology is not inherently unhealthy, but it can be misused just like anything else.

[1thoughtMaze1]

You probably get headaches because your monitor is crap, if your eyes get tired quickly it probably means that the refresh rate is too low, which is why your getting headaches, get a better monitor.

[AbolishtheState]

You probably get headaches because your monitor is crap, if your eyes get tired quickly it probably means that the refresh rate is too low, which is why your getting headaches, get a better monitor.

While that may certainly be a contributing factor, I do not think you can completely rule out the potential for repetitive stress syndromes even with an ergonomically ideal set-up. Human physiology was simply not optimized to endure endless hours spent sitting in the same position, staring at a bright surface. This may change as technology progresses.

[#1hit]

Computer eye syndrom is the thing that stuck out for me most, the reason I even started researching this topic is because I noticed that, after working an intenship over the summer where I worked on a computer 40 hours a week, and then doing a semester of all MIS courses, I have certainly noticed that looking at any electronic screen makes my eyes fuzzy and irritated, gives me a headache, and zaps my ability to concentrate, and it seems like the time it takes for this to happen declines every day.

1thoughtmaze, u mentioned that a reason that eyestrain/headaches might be experienced is because the monitor doesn't refresh often enough or doesn't have an anti glare screen. Do you know how I can check the specs on my monitor and my laptop, and also, if they. Are not up to par do you think investing in a better, antiglare monitor would make a significant difference?

Thank you for the input.

[MrHappy]

Pretty much all LCDs are fine.
IR output and forgetting to blink can still be an issue.

[Mind]

I think many ppl have worse attention if they use internet more, because they're jumping from page to page and looking for bits of information and they found it harder to read a long book or sth like that.

Ditto, it seems my attention span has decreased since I started using computers and the internet more.