Join us here for a live chat, Monday, 12/1 from 2:30-3PM ET (11:30-12PM PT) with Dr Gary Small and Gigi Vorgan, authors of the book, iBrain, one of our featured titles this month in Bright Ideas from Bestselling Authors.
How is technology changing our brains? How is it affecting our relationships with our families? Is it effective to multitask (ie instant messaging while talking on the phone and emailing)?
The Gather Editorial team will be selecting the member who submits their favorite question during the 30 minute chat to receive 500 Gather Points. Good luck to all.
You must hit the refresh button on your browser to see new comments appear throughout the live chat. If you can't make the chat though, leave your question in the comment field below.
In iBrain, Dr. Gary Small, one of America's leading neuroscientists and experts on brain function and behavior, explores how technology's unstoppable march forward has altered the way young minds develop, function, and interpret information. iBrain reveals a new evolution catalyzed by technological advancement and its future implications: Where do you fit in on the evolutionary chain? What are the professional, social, and political impacts of this new brain evolution? How must you adapt and at what price?
Learn more about this book throughout November in the Bright Ideas from Bestselling Authors group on Gather. Click here to join.
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Comments: 108
If naptime all goes well I'll swing on by!
I should be back for the chat, but I wanted to go ahead and post my questions and thoughts about this in case something comes up:
With all of our technology advances becoming more and more rapid, do you see a point in time where people start treating technology almost like an extra sense--going from an optional part of life to a borderline need (at least in people's minds)?
I see this today to a certain extent--ever see someone who's literally addicted to the Internet or an online game? You can pry them away from it, but you can tell that's all they're thinking about until they get back to it. I'm sure there is something going on there with brain chemistry--not much different than a drug. I think there are some consequences to that, especially if it becomes a socially acceptable addiction.
I do think there is a positive side to this as well, mainly when the Internet is used for an educational and career tool. I came from a family that was in poverty by U.S. standards, and I'm going to be completely "retired" (in the sense of not needing a traditional job) before the age of 30 because of what I've learned about using the Internet to generate an income. That will free my time up so I can do projects that help other people, something I may not have been able to do while taking the traditional job route. In that respect, I have a higher quality of life that I wouldn't have without it.
I personally think on an individual level we have to find a balance--just being aware of your own daily habits helps a lot, and if you set priorities in your life it makes things a lot easier.
I'll check out your book the next time I'm at a bookstore. Thanks for holding this chat.
TY for the heads up on it.
Here's my question - It seems like technology is widening the generation gap. I notice it between me and my teenagers and more profoundly between my kids and their 80-something grandparents. What tips to you have to help my multi-tasking technology teens better communicate on a level that older adults can track with? (I am fully away that it is impossible to change the grandparents....)
Does technology give us more time with our families or take it away?
We are able to do more with technology and should have more time, but then we play more games, look up more info, and become internet addicted, so have less time, I think.
It seems to me that the more people depend on technology, the less they depend on or seek peronal relationships with "real" people. I worry about this as I am a Mother of a small child and I have adult children as well. Don't you think that we could very well forget the art and fundamentals of forming, bonding and maintaining relationships. Nowadays if you have a cyber friend it seems so much easier, I mean there is always the delete button. What is your opinion?
Welcome to the chat with Dr Gary Small and Gigi Vorgan. For the next 30 minutes we'll be discussing their new book, iBrain. You may jump in at any point with a question.
Let's begin the chat with a question from Patricia G. She asks:
With all of our technology advances becoming more and more rapid, do you see a point in time where people start treating technology almost like an extra sense--going from an optional part of life to a borderline need (at least in people's minds)?
My question- What are the long term ramifications of relying on technology so heavily? And what is it doing to our Earth?
again My question: Do you think that we've become TOO dependent on technology, and that possibly the next generation is lacking the fundamentals in knowledge in how to survive WITHOUT technology?
We think we have become dependent on technology, especially the younger digital natives. We recently spoke at a local school where the students were asked to take a day off of their technology. Most of them couldn't last beyond noon!
It seems that while technology has made changes to almost every part of day to day life, whether it's medical, automative or production-related, it seems to me that communication has seen the greatest change in recent years.
Whether it's how we get our news - admit it; most people check online and no longer rely on magaziens, newspapers or even the 11 o'clock news. why would they when it's immediately accessivle. Or direct person to person communication - email, text messaging, cell phones, attachments with audio, video or images.
Even how we choose to socialize seems to be a factor - playing MMORGP's like World of Warcraft, playing Xbox Live, going into chat rooms have in many ways taken over as mediums for getting together as opposed to a game of cards with friends or sitting down to a boardgame with kids. Even going out to a movie with a group of friends may be changing - Xbox has its new Netflix 'group' sessions for watching a movie with friends.
This leads me to a pair of questions. First - these online bonds don't seem as permenant as real-life ones. It's easier to 'dodge' someone online - don't log in, change a screen name or 'lie' because you don't have to see them face-to-face. Is this change in social structure considered anywhere near as haelthy as the real-live in-person friend or is it creating a weaker social structure for interaction in your opinion? Disposable friends and relationships as it were.
And then my next question is even with our iPhones, online games, email - what's the next big wave? People crave this immediate interaction at their fingertips - but it makes me curious what other big changes are predicted to be around the corner to try and make that next jump in that need for immediate communication now that we seem to have covered text, music, video, images and spoken voice so thoroughly?
As someone who works for a software company where video, audio and image sharing and screencasting is developed - and my prior job was working at a university in setting up mediated classrooms so that faculty could better use differing means of communication with students, I have quite the interest in the topic of technology and communication in general. :) Thanks!
We can speculate about the long-term consequences of the constant bombardment of technology. In "iBrain," we argue that it is leading to a major milestone in brain evolution. In other words, those who master the technology skills may have survival advantages.
You are right that we lose touch at an emotional level when we rely on the technology to communicate. The upside is that we can reach almost anyone, any where, but rather than looking at each other in the eye and reading non-verbal cues, we are typing on a keyboard. In fact, we're doing that right now!
That said, like all things, it seems to me technology has cripling components too, such as changse to lifestyle, the lack of real interpersonal relationships and of course misinformation are just a handful of problems. I guess I view it like any other advancement - wheels made it easier for people to transport goods, but also to make cannons more mobile for war.
But there's no stopping technology. Instead of bemoaning it, we need to embrace it and create new ways to build lasting, rewarding communities.
Is Gather really a community that can provide what Mayberry, RFD once provided?
In the last 100 years, the world has advanced exponentially. But we've also lost ground socially, and morally as technology allowed us to disconnect from the world.
I wanted to pick up on one of your questions about the future of technology. Right now there is a lot of work on brain/computer interfact technologies. Research volunteers have electrode sensors on the head, which allows the volunteers to control a computer cursor just by thinking about it! In the future, we might be able to beam our thoughts to each other, wirelessly . . .
Technology has a huge upside. Currently available programs can improve memory and cognitive function. One program that improves peripheral vision is being used to help older drivers. Surgeons who play video games make fewer errors in the operating room than those who do not. The key is to harness these advantages to improve our lives.
What is clear is that the pace of innovation is more rapid than ever before. My generation of baby boomers experienced color TV, push-button phones, and other innovations that occurred very gradually. Today's digital natives are much more comfortable at the increased pace of innovation -- we think their brains are wired for it since they have been exposed from early in their brain development.
Yes, but what about human contact? It is essential. It's a proven fact and I'll come up with the data in a bit. There needs to be greater integration of technology into our lives so that it does not distance us from one another.
Question: Will those poor kids with ADHD finally have a chance to shine because using technology seems to require lightning jumps from one idea and medium to another?
I don't personally consider it evolution, but I think there would be a lot of differences in brain development the younger you were exposed to what is a very large amount of information that is instantly available.
We don't know if thought beaming is good or bad but it may be the future. As far as privacy, we may have to wear protective headgear to protect on thoughts from wireless intruders . . .
We agree about integrating technology skills with human contact skills. The key is creating and maintaining the balance in our lives and knowing when one approach or the other makes sense.
Men in the past have excelled with the technology and have been drawn to it, but women have been catching up quickly. There is much more of a brain gap in technology use according to age, separating the young digital natives -- born into the technology, which may be impairing their face-to-face social skills -- and the older digital immigrant, who come to the technology more reluctantly later in life.
There have been several studies showing an association between ADHD and technology use, but a cause and effect has not been proven. We think it is important to note the impact of technology on the individual, good and bad, and how it may be affecting attention abilities.
Do not agree with this Nick. I met someone on the internet, who became my best friend. It led to talking on the phone everyday. We never got a chance to meet each other in person, being she was in Nevada, and I am in Florida. But our friendship grew for 9 years. I met her family, kids, husband, and 'her' friends all on line and through phone. She met my family and friends.
I do belive the internet and most technology has taught us not to talk. I guess this is why I can't understand a young person when I need to call, doctor's offices, or other places of business.
Many young digital natives have developed extensive online social networks. We think that is great but face-to-face social interactions are important as well.
I know I'm not the only one with this situation.
We recently completed a study at UCLA and found that searching for information online activating brain neural networks to a much greater extent than reading a book. Brains wired to efficiently master the technology will put people at an advantage socially and at the workplace.
That is a concern -- losing what we currently define as our humanity. But that definition could change. Also, some newer computer programs actually teach people human contact social skills -- how to recognize non-verbal cues, maintain eye contact, etc.
Dr. Gary Small and Gigi Vorgan, thank you for being our guests today.
iBrain is truly a fascinating book. It will change the way you think about technology.
Have a great afternoon everyone. Thanks again for joining.
How can families communicate effectively long distance using technology without leaving the older family members out?
My in laws hate that we email updates and important info as opposed to calling. They fight technology and don't like email but that is the easiest way for us to reach out to many people all at once... and nobody but those in laws has a problem with it.
But, here's the beauty. We can read it, ruminate, digest and further the conversation. Text waits to be read.
I'm very interested in how technology is melding and morphing who, and how we are with each other.
Also whether attempting to express ourselves clearly in text, with range of sensitivity, as we should hope to conduct ourselves is person, is attainable among stranger of all walks.
"Newbie, making trail cross the wide open tundra' of the internet.
Perhaps this exchange could pick up at another point? Thank You
I think the book covers a very interesting topic indeed!