Some of you may have been quick to assume that my How to Act Productive series was some kind of comic relief to your otherwise boring day, that it was something to make light of and laugh with, that no one would do silly things like work on their computer or phones while running on a treadmill at the gym.
Alas, you’d be wrong! Clearly, as the New York Times pointed out in a recent article, there are some serious consequences to (digitally!) stimulating yourself at all hours of the day.
It starts by pointing out some great habits of “productive” Americans:
“In gyms and elsewhere, people use phones and other electronic devices to get work done — and as a reliable antidote to boredom.”
That’s true, how did I not realize how tedious and boring exercise was. Too bad we can’t just work all day instead..or check Facebook.
It continues…
“Cellphones, which in the last few years have become full-fledged computers with high-speed Internet connections, let people relieve the tedium of exercising, the grocery store line, stoplights or lulls in the dinner conversation.”
Of course, if I only added up all the moments I spend waiting at a stop light or sitting there staring at my date’s face in silence across the dinner table, imagine how much more time I would have.
However, the article is quick to point out the more serious side of this digital addiction:
“The technology makes the tiniest windows of time entertaining, and potentially productive. But scientists point to an unanticipated side effect: when people keep their brains busy with digital input, they are forfeiting downtime that could allow them to better learn and remember information, or come up with new ideas.”
I have yet to be able to wrap my head around this, but I believe they are saying that constantly attaching myself to my crackberry only gives the illusion productivity, but in reality just makes me more of an idiot. That’s blowing my mind right now, but I will think about it later, cause I have a lot of work to do right now.
Bonus: In addition to the consequences of being “busy” all the time, check out the RadioLab episode on Sleep to figure out how sleeping less has similar learning-inhibiting consequences. Little do they know what that does to your productivity.
Hello, http://gradhacker.com/how-to-act-productive/ doe snot work
Sorry, I had a hacker issue last week and had to rebuild the site. Thanks for pointing that out. Should be fixed now!
it works fine thanks.