Distracted -The Erosion of Attention and the Coming Dark Age by Maggie Jackson - Book Report/Review Example

Distracted: The Erosion of Attention and the Coming Dark Age – An Editorial In her book en d "Distracted: The Erosion of Attention and the Coming Dark Age", Maggie Jackson explains how technological advancements have corroded the capacity of human brains to focus deeply, discuss intensely and seek to provide undivided attention (Jackson, 2008). Jackson presents a multi-dimensional image of the way attention shapes people, how it defines mental prowess as well as tones our psychology towards a mindful happiness. Yet, regardless of the danger technology poses to the minds of the average technologically well-equipped individual, it is pertinent to say that Jackson seems to have overlooked certain aspects of technology that do humans credit and assist us to sustain life by providing psychological alternatives that in undeveloped regions of the world. Hence, even though the points Jackson presents seem valid, they seem acutely ominous at certain points and fail to present a holistic view of the impact of technology on attention as well as its pros and cons. Jackson’s views are solely based on the fact that the attention which humans had used to their benefit is waning when in fact it is that very attention which is preparing humans to accept changes of the increasingly flourishing urban societies. The industrial revolution and subsequent whirlwind of mechanization brought about changes that add to Jackson’s point of view of the world being shifted towards the Dark Ages, when people were so involved in other details of their lives that they failed to focus and make smarter decisions. However, she fails to realize that mechanization was the need of the hour and has been since then. For instance, the usage of PowerPoint was originally limited to businesses and organizations for the purpose of presenting one corporation’s information to another in a simpler, much more concise manner. Its incorporation into the school syllabi does have its disadvantages, yet it allows students who are reading those presentations, watching images and videos to connect to the world of information that may otherwise have been out of their reach. Moreover, it helps students who are eager to learn to focus on what is important, rather than strive to retain all the information regarding particular topics. Jackson in this instance did not seek to note whether the students who did not know the spellings of a particular word were particularly interested in that class, or were one of the students better at spellings. Moreover, to state that PowerPoint teaches people to think may be qualified as a broad statement with certain dimensions to be explored. PowerPoint presentation is one of the hallmarks of futuristic learning as it enables students to have access to information virtually where there are fewer resources and lectures are often delivered by a teacher verbally. In addition, looking at images and listening to sounds with text assists the brain to associate one with the other and facilitates better learning. For instance, a study has suggested that PowerPoint presentations and lectures for undergraduate students is more effective than overheard lectures (Szabo et al., 2000). Thus, where excessive and untimely usage of technology is harmful in dividing attention, it may be useful in removing hindrances in learning and ease the process in certain cases. To an extent, Jackson’s views on technology distracting people are justified, yet they do not present the entire picture. Jackson explains the exhaustive workings of a corporate world by describing the series of interactive plays that she visits at a college campus. Her articulated description reflects the confusion that often tends to grip people when too much is going around them and they are unable to decide which direction to choose, what to think or do. She also describes how young minds are being increasingly trained to develop skills that are more focused on how to multitask and respond to multiple stimuli rather than focus and think logically in certain situations. However she fails to realize that learning to develop these skills are essential to survive in a competent urbanized society. Elaborate computer games allow children to prepare for future as lucrative businesses are based on complex computer software. Globalization has resulted in computers being very beneficial in terms of financial dealings and are an integral part of corporations, banks etcetera (Grosse, 2004). Being able to handle the functions of computer, children will be more likely to adapt to them quickly than they would if they did not have any idea. Furthermore, manipulating internet and computer usage to provide beneficial assistance to students is the responsibility of educationists, and is often researched thoroughly in terms of input and outcome before implementation (Barron et al., 1998). Often, certain methods are better suited to students of a particular age and therefore are not advised for students of other ages. Nonetheless, it is not fair to label technological advancements and computer games to be the sole culprit towards lack of attention and increased cases of distractions. Computer usage is firmly moderated in most households so as to render its beneficial uses more potent than its harmful ones. The series of mini interactive plays may be considered by some as a display of creativity and individuality, for the amount of effort and multi-dimensional considerations that rendered the particular effect on the emotion of those who experienced them, yet they are completely ignore by Jackson. Hence, to blame technology to distract people is a statement that needs due consideration and is not entirely justified. It is not entirely wrong to label technology as the convener of diseases such as Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). However, it should be kept in mind that it is also the precursor of social support groups that allow people who are lonely and depressed to seek virtual support (Whitty & McLaughlin, 2007), as shown by studies. Whether it is young adolescents who are struggling to discover their sexuality or patients fighting with cancer, a virtual world that distracts them from their physical ailments might prove to be beneficial in certain cases. Therefore, a more in-depth analysis of the psychological musings by Jackson should include such considerations in order to give more credibility to her arguments. Even in simpler times, when wireless phones were not in sight and electricity used to be restricted to the affluent, simple machines such as knives and spoons used to make life easier for people rather than difficult for basic everyday functions of survival. For instance, it is better to know that a person could not combat a particular disease rather than facing the news of inopportune death. Similarly, learning resources, organizational methods for transactions, modes of easy communication with those far away are merely ways which are used to ease life for humans and should be considered as such. If people abuse a resource, it is not the fault of the resource that it presents recurrently, rather people should be held responsible for misusing it. In the same manner it is often people, who abuse the ease of communication rather than. Hence, the cons do not weigh heavy for everyone affected by technology. In conclusion, it is important to state that although a computerized human race is far more educated, knowledgeable and does benefit from the ease that machines create for it, it is not entirely beneficial and Jackson’s arguments are not entirely invalid. Yet these aspects require deeper examination, since they do hold benefits that in a rural world would not have been generated. This is because attention and focus of a person is often deflected by a mere presence of another person in the same environment. It is often up to the people, their parents and their environment to shape them into pro-active or underactive people in terms of juggling with information in a world that is slowly approaching the peaks of globalization. To use it wisely is solely up to humans, since they have the better capacity to think. Machines did not shape humans; humans shaped them. References Barron, Ann E, and Karen S. Ivers. The Internet and Instruction: Activities and Ideas. Englewood, Colo: Libraries Unlimited, 1998. Internet resource. Grosse, Robert E. The Future of Global Financial Services. Malden, MA: Blackwell Pub, 2004. Print. Jackson, Maggie. Distracted: The Erosion of Attention and the Coming Dark Age. Amherst, N.Y: Prometheus Books, 2008. Print. Szabo, Attila, and Nigel Hastings. "Using It in the Undergraduate Classroom: Should We Replace the Blackboard with Powerpoint?" Computers & Education. 35.3 (2000): 175-187. Print. Whitty, M.T, and D McLaughlin. "Online Recreation: the Relationship between Loneliness, Internet Self-Efficacy and the Use of the Internet for Entertainment Purposes." Computers in Human Behavior. 23.3 (2007): 1435-1446. Print. Read More