Interesting article. It is amazing how different a generation can be in today's world. For so much of history a difference in a single generation meant no difference at all. Nothing could be farther than the truth as of late. There are some good things and some bad things about all of the changes that are happening.
I really dislike this propensity towards multitasking. I think that there is something valuable in concentrating all of ones attention onto one thing. Full engagement can be a powerful state. When attention becomes divided negative results follow. I think this also holds true for 'continuous partial attention'. Texting and driving leads to crashes. Doing homework while watching TV reduces the quality of the assignment. Not giving the people in the room complete attention because one is interacting with people outside the room via media fractures the social environment within that room.
I like very much the way Internet allows for creative works. There are many things a person can create online. Many ways of expressing themselves. I think this is a really good thing. The use of blogs as diaries can also be a healthy outlet and form of self-expression.
I wonder about this idea of ownership online. How will copyright stuff play out in this environment? How can you actually own something when it is so easy for someone else to download it? The article posed this question and I don't have an answer. I find in intriguing though...
I am trying to get the multitasking thing. It is like we give it a fancy word and it is ok. I was at a restaurant and saw 2 guys, 2 girls and the guys were texting for a long time. It was just RUDE. It was not multitasking. I was surprised their dates put up with it. They were not paying attention to real human beings sitting 3 feet from them. I do get it that I am not supposed to be offended when people do that but calling it a techie word doesn't change its nature. When others are around it is rude, when you should be attentive to something else it is distraction. People think they are good at multitasking, yet often they are not. Ok, the commercial over, I will get back to my show...
ReplyDeleteThe point of multitasking is a good one. Like George mentioned, some people think they are good at multitasking, however, like you mention, it is so important to learn to completely focus on one task and do it well. There is a place and time for multi-tasking. Where that line is drawn...hrm...
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