What Computers & The Internet Have Done To My Brain
...ooh, shiny object...
Thursday, March 31, 2005 by Zoomba | Discussion: Living in Cyberspace
As I sit here writing this, I have a Visio drawing up where I'm recreating a process flow that I'm using to draw up specs for a web application I'm going to be building, I'm checking e-mail, I have a number of pieces of paper on my desk in front of me where I'm doodling out ideas on how to solve a dozen different problems I'll have to overcome when I start building the application, I'm chatting over NetMeeting with a coworker on the other side of our work area... oh, and I'm browsing through JoeUser. Yeah, all at the same time.
I'm one of those guys who has essentially grown up around computers. Since I first laid eyes on my dad's Macintosh Plus (one of the lunchbox Mac models) when I was 5 years old (1987), I was hooked. I spent hours crashing that thing, trying to take it apart bit by bit to figure out how it worked. Then, a few years later, I got to experience The Internet for the first time... but before there was a World Wide Web. I used to spend entire weekends in my dad's office surfing Gopher. I read articles and papers on topics that I had absolutely no interest in just because I could. It astounded me that I could read papers stored on computers on the other side of the country in the blink of an eye. As time went on, the computers we had at home became more sophisticated, the Internet really took off, and I was right there in the middle of it, living through every advance. I had an e-mail account before most of the adults I knew. I had a web page before such a thing as WYSIWYG editing existed. I was doing Internet Relay Chat while people were just coming to grips with AOL chat rooms. I was on the bleeding edge, and I loved it.
It was a common thing to see me at the computer in High School with 7 AIM conversations running, several email exchanges going on, a few web browsers open to forums, talking on the phone with a friend while holding a conversation with someone in the room standing next to me. There was multitasking... then there was what I was doing. I was keeping track of dozens of different things at once with ease. Most people who would watch me do this couldn't even keep up with what program I was currently typing in as I clicked around the desktop at the speed of thought.
Fast forward a few years to my Junior Year of college. What I had been doing wasn't so rare anymore, everyone had a dozen email addresses, anyone could make a web page, AIM was a staple of life (whenever AIM would crash for whatever reason, you'd see students wandering campus and building hallways with a lost look on their faces). Now, it was also at this time that my course work got serious, and my part-time job as IT Guru for the Biochem Dept got pretty involved and required a lot more attention. I suddenly found that when I had to concentrate on one item for a long period of time (i.e. a major project) I would be distracted within 30min. I thought maybe it was because I was bored with the task at hand... but it happened when I was doing IT work, something I enjoy a great deal. My attention span was completely shot. I had grown up juggling a dozen things in my mind at once, so when I had to just go at one at a time, I couldn't do it.
I pretty much exhibit all the signs of adult attention deficit disorder... I can't concentrate on any one thing for very long unless its something that is in some way continually changing. I can sit for hours and read books... I can play a video game all day... because both of those experiences are continually changing (story, dialogue, activities etc...). Ask me to work on the requirements document for a legal compliance project and I’ll start to zone out, start thinking of a dozen different things I need to do or wish I was doing.
This, I think, is the greatest danger associated with growing up immersed in technology. The world never sits still long enough to concentrate. Even the nature of work now is much different with people constantly shifting from meeting to meeting, tasked to work on half a dozen projects at once, juggling the flood of emails for each project and then having to go home and manage a personal life and finances. Technology has sped everything up, and now most people are simply unable to slow down.
Ooooh… look… shiny… *wanders off*
I'm one of those guys who has essentially grown up around computers. Since I first laid eyes on my dad's Macintosh Plus (one of the lunchbox Mac models) when I was 5 years old (1987), I was hooked. I spent hours crashing that thing, trying to take it apart bit by bit to figure out how it worked. Then, a few years later, I got to experience The Internet for the first time... but before there was a World Wide Web. I used to spend entire weekends in my dad's office surfing Gopher. I read articles and papers on topics that I had absolutely no interest in just because I could. It astounded me that I could read papers stored on computers on the other side of the country in the blink of an eye. As time went on, the computers we had at home became more sophisticated, the Internet really took off, and I was right there in the middle of it, living through every advance. I had an e-mail account before most of the adults I knew. I had a web page before such a thing as WYSIWYG editing existed. I was doing Internet Relay Chat while people were just coming to grips with AOL chat rooms. I was on the bleeding edge, and I loved it.
It was a common thing to see me at the computer in High School with 7 AIM conversations running, several email exchanges going on, a few web browsers open to forums, talking on the phone with a friend while holding a conversation with someone in the room standing next to me. There was multitasking... then there was what I was doing. I was keeping track of dozens of different things at once with ease. Most people who would watch me do this couldn't even keep up with what program I was currently typing in as I clicked around the desktop at the speed of thought.
Fast forward a few years to my Junior Year of college. What I had been doing wasn't so rare anymore, everyone had a dozen email addresses, anyone could make a web page, AIM was a staple of life (whenever AIM would crash for whatever reason, you'd see students wandering campus and building hallways with a lost look on their faces). Now, it was also at this time that my course work got serious, and my part-time job as IT Guru for the Biochem Dept got pretty involved and required a lot more attention. I suddenly found that when I had to concentrate on one item for a long period of time (i.e. a major project) I would be distracted within 30min. I thought maybe it was because I was bored with the task at hand... but it happened when I was doing IT work, something I enjoy a great deal. My attention span was completely shot. I had grown up juggling a dozen things in my mind at once, so when I had to just go at one at a time, I couldn't do it.
I pretty much exhibit all the signs of adult attention deficit disorder... I can't concentrate on any one thing for very long unless its something that is in some way continually changing. I can sit for hours and read books... I can play a video game all day... because both of those experiences are continually changing (story, dialogue, activities etc...). Ask me to work on the requirements document for a legal compliance project and I’ll start to zone out, start thinking of a dozen different things I need to do or wish I was doing.
This, I think, is the greatest danger associated with growing up immersed in technology. The world never sits still long enough to concentrate. Even the nature of work now is much different with people constantly shifting from meeting to meeting, tasked to work on half a dozen projects at once, juggling the flood of emails for each project and then having to go home and manage a personal life and finances. Technology has sped everything up, and now most people are simply unable to slow down.
Ooooh… look… shiny… *wanders off*
BlueDev
Reply #2 Thursday, March 31, 2005 12:59 PM
Reply #2 Thursday, March 31, 2005 12:59 PM
Wow, I really relate Zoomba.
When I was on the wards, taking care of multiple patients, with class, conference, studying for exams, write-ups going on I was fine to focus on just that. But now that I just have and IRB to write, or an abstract to draft up, or some data to crunch, I find myself surfing, chatting, in IRC, and just basically wandering mentally. I hadn't considered the role technology played in that, but I see it now. Great article.
When I was on the wards, taking care of multiple patients, with class, conference, studying for exams, write-ups going on I was fine to focus on just that. But now that I just have and IRB to write, or an abstract to draft up, or some data to crunch, I find myself surfing, chatting, in IRC, and just basically wandering mentally. I hadn't considered the role technology played in that, but I see it now. Great article.
Hazylunarrain
Reply #3 Friday, April 1, 2005 3:05 AM
Reply #3 Friday, April 1, 2005 3:05 AM
I didn't have it that bad, but I was into computers from the old Apple IIC's were first in my school. (I think "first" I was only like 7) Hehehe... The fun of "Oregon Trail". Computers have always had be locked in. I can't think of a time when I didn't sit in front of one. )_Well... maybe a few times 
).I don't think I'll ever stop. First programming... then! the world!!! lol
).I don't think I'll ever stop. First programming... then! the world!!! lol
Septimus
Reply #4 Friday, April 1, 2005 4:05 AM
Reply #4 Friday, April 1, 2005 4:05 AM
Yeah same here. Been using computers since I was 4.. back in 1981 (I'm old, nooo!).
I need something to constantly challenge me or I get bored beyond belief instantly.
I need something to constantly challenge me or I get bored beyond belief instantly.
MadDeez
Reply #5 Friday, April 1, 2005 6:55 AM
Reply #5 Friday, April 1, 2005 6:55 AM
"since I was 4.. back in 1981 (I'm old, nooo!)." i was 4 in 1961!! 
anyway, back to zoomba: if i've told you once, i've told you a thousand times, zoomba.......it's the red hair
anyway, back to zoomba: if i've told you once, i've told you a thousand times, zoomba.......it's the red hair
butch123
Reply #6 Friday, April 1, 2005 7:52 AM
Reply #6 Friday, April 1, 2005 7:52 AM
since I was 4.. back in 1981 (I'm old, nooo!)." i was 4 in 1961...i hear ya Snidely i was 4 in 1955..now I'm old lol 
centric
Reply #7 Friday, April 1, 2005 9:17 AM
Reply #7 Friday, April 1, 2005 9:17 AM
As a web programmer in coldfusion, the one thing that fusterates me is making the same things over and over. For example, forms and validation, Even though I have some prebuilt objects for it. All our clients are different make the forms change, new validation and so on. I guess its good that its different but the same thing happends.. make form, make vaildation. Gets me really distracted and fusterated when I hear we have a new client that wants something simmilar. In fact all our clients have forms so just when I hear we have new clients, I think good for business bad for me.
Thats why Im hoping I can get my boss to let me do my projects in ASP.NET which makes everything a little more easy. Like validation and building forms. Then i can focus on the really complicated things knowing that the basics takes under an hour of my time.
All in all the small stuff makes me go slower then the complicated things, just becuase im so distracted.
Nice Article btw
Thats why Im hoping I can get my boss to let me do my projects in ASP.NET which makes everything a little more easy. Like validation and building forms. Then i can focus on the really complicated things knowing that the basics takes under an hour of my time.
All in all the small stuff makes me go slower then the complicated things, just becuase im so distracted.
Nice Article btw
MyTourn
Reply #8 Friday, April 1, 2005 11:07 PM
Reply #8 Friday, April 1, 2005 11:07 PM
I first saw an Apple IIc when I was 9, got my first C-64 when I was 15 (took many years of begging to get one). Since then I've owned many computers of all flavours. My problem isn't that I can't concentrate on a mundane task its that I'm just plain bored with it.
I like to learn as much as I can but at the same time I only want to learn what I want to learn. I get thinking about more "enjoyable" things to be doing than data entry or flow charting or whatever. I've been a professional developer for about 10 years now and I can only work on "work" for about 3 hours at any stretch. Beyond that I go stupid. I need an enjoyable break at least 3 times a day and for right now that means a quick game of Call of Duty or a walk around the neighbourhood. I work at home so this is feasible.
This has actually improved my work and thats why I'm writing this. Maybe its an idea that can help maintain focus and rejuvenate. It doesn't even need to be a significant time span (for those working in an office or business), just say you're heading to the loo and just relax and "shake the cobwebs out" as I like to say.
I like to learn as much as I can but at the same time I only want to learn what I want to learn. I get thinking about more "enjoyable" things to be doing than data entry or flow charting or whatever. I've been a professional developer for about 10 years now and I can only work on "work" for about 3 hours at any stretch. Beyond that I go stupid. I need an enjoyable break at least 3 times a day and for right now that means a quick game of Call of Duty or a walk around the neighbourhood. I work at home so this is feasible.
This has actually improved my work and thats why I'm writing this. Maybe its an idea that can help maintain focus and rejuvenate. It doesn't even need to be a significant time span (for those working in an office or business), just say you're heading to the loo and just relax and "shake the cobwebs out" as I like to say.
nachtgeist03
Reply #9 Sunday, April 3, 2005 4:57 PM
Reply #9 Sunday, April 3, 2005 4:57 PM
Blah, I am that way at work all the time. I work in a small retail shop, and when we're changing displays around, I'm suppost to be doing one while my co-worker is doing the other. Too often, I'll be in the middle of mine, look over at his, and suddenly I'm 'helping' him
Props on the article, the bit about having 100 IM windows going on top of everything else I can relate to all too well. If I'm not paying attention, I will have 7 or 8 YIM windows, 4 or more IE (yes, I use IE still ) windows up, while composing several emails, have my graphics editor running in the background with some partially finished project on it, and usually playing some flash or java game on top of it all. I think what we need are computers that can't keep up to us, where they can only do maybe 4 things at once 
Hey, it'd be a start
Props on the article, the bit about having 100 IM windows going on top of everything else I can relate to all too well. If I'm not paying attention, I will have 7 or 8 YIM windows, 4 or more IE (yes, I use IE still
) windows up, while composing several emails, have my graphics editor running in the background with some partially finished project on it, and usually playing some flash or java game on top of it all. I think what we need are computers that can't keep up to us, where they can only do maybe 4 things at once 
Hey, it'd be a start
ParaTed2k
Reply #10 Sunday, April 3, 2005 5:09 PM
Reply #10 Sunday, April 3, 2005 5:09 PM
"Convenience and Technology weaken the man and deaden the mind." Maybe the Amish have a point there! ;~D
Zoomba
Reply #11 Sunday, April 3, 2005 9:56 PM
Reply #11 Sunday, April 3, 2005 9:56 PM
I recently stepped-up the amount of computing distractions. I finally got my desk at home setup properly so now I have my primary gaming rig, next to that my powerbook that I do email, AIM and IRC on, and then next to that the monitor and keyboard for my home server. I'm now not only flipping between applications on a screen, but between 3 distinct computers altogether! AHHHHH!!!
Ted:
As much as I hate to admit it, the Amish may have something there...
Ted:
As much as I hate to admit it, the Amish may have something there...
Hazylunarrain
Reply #12 Monday, April 4, 2005 12:33 AM
Reply #12 Monday, April 4, 2005 12:33 AM
Sounds like a lotta fun zoomba! 
Anyhow, I never knew you were THAT ancient lil whip!lmao I never had a commie64 but I used one in school quite often. The teacher kept getting pissed about the whole "tampering with the tape" thing...
Anyhow, I never knew you were THAT ancient lil whip!lmao I never had a commie64 but I used one in school quite often. The teacher kept getting pissed about the whole "tampering with the tape" thing...
Zoomba
Reply #13 Monday, April 4, 2005 9:48 AM
Reply #13 Monday, April 4, 2005 9:48 AM
One thing I forgot to mention in the article (because I was... can you guess? Distracted!), I actually wrote this article several months before posting it. I got distracted about 3/4 of the way through it and saved it to my hard drive. I found it again the other day when I was reorganizing all of my files, tacked on the last two paragraphs and posted it. Fitting that I was distracted from my article on how technology is so distracting
Alpha Tellurian
Reply #16 Tuesday, April 5, 2005 6:46 PM
Reply #16 Tuesday, April 5, 2005 6:46 PM
I can't pay attention long enough to write a good comment...
tlb123
Reply #18 Wednesday, April 6, 2005 4:21 PM
Reply #18 Wednesday, April 6, 2005 4:21 PM
I'm like that and I'm only 16!! that's pretty bad!
imajinit
Reply #19 Thursday, April 7, 2005 8:01 PM
Reply #19 Thursday, April 7, 2005 8:01 PM
i'll be the asshole... (Grandpa always said that there's one in every crowd)
blaming computers and the internet is a cop-out. I would be careful about self-diagnosing yourself with adult attention deficit disorder. (Especially w/ the high number of therapist haters here at JU... according to them, a 'disorder' is a figment of either the client's or the therapist's imagination)...
your inability to pay attention to one thing for an extended period of time is a type of behavior, and our behaviors can be modified, w/ a little gumption and little self-discipline. What I would suggest is that the next time you sit down to work on a project, set a goal (or even an alarm clock) and tell yourself that you're going to concentrate on one thing for say, 25 minutes. after the 25 minutes pass, allow yourself a short break. As each day passes, add 5 minutes to your goal each time, and shorten your breaks. This will effectively 'train' your body and mind to focus for a period of time. Eventually you'll get to where you can concentrate for about 50 minutes, w/ a ten minute break every hour. that's a very simplified version of a method of behavior modification, and it does work.
Zoomba
Reply #20 Thursday, April 7, 2005 8:18 PM
Reply #20 Thursday, April 7, 2005 8:18 PM
I think you missed my point by a hair there imajinit. This was partially humor based, partially reality based. I do not blame it entirely on technology, but it has had an impact on me that I can not deny, especailly because I started heavy use at such an early age. I also was not seriously diagnosing myself with anything, just saying that I show some signs that happen to overlap with Adult ADD.
Overdoing it with computers is like kids overdoing it with video games, or television, it can contribute to problems down the road. It is based on my own experience that in the eventuality I have kids, I will be very careful on computer usage until they're probably 10 or so. It is a pattern of behavior I would not like them to learn, because after 18 years of heavy use starting at such a young age, it's a tough cycle to break out of.
I am going to try the exercise you suggested though, gotta start small and work it up.
Overdoing it with computers is like kids overdoing it with video games, or television, it can contribute to problems down the road. It is based on my own experience that in the eventuality I have kids, I will be very careful on computer usage until they're probably 10 or so. It is a pattern of behavior I would not like them to learn, because after 18 years of heavy use starting at such a young age, it's a tough cycle to break out of.
I am going to try the exercise you suggested though, gotta start small and work it up.
Please login to comment and/or vote for this skin.
Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:
- Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums and downloading skins.
- Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
- Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
- It's simple, and FREE!
Reply #1 Thursday, March 31, 2005 12:05 PM
For instance, this easter I was suppose to finish of my current project. Nothing that should have taken much time, but I think I've only sat down for about one-two hours each time I went to do some work. In my defence for this easter I haven't been home since christmas. But I have a general feeling of loosing interest in thing once some time has passed. I've got like four, five WB skins half done, a number of DX projects and a website with a blog and forum section, but no gallery section! I keep telling my self to get a grip.