Time Vampires

from xkcd

Concentration and productivity are quite possibly two very important things that have been in a rampant state of decline since the emergence of the internet. With sites like Wikipedia and search engines like Google, it's possible to find almost any information about anything via internet - but what are the harmful effects of this easy of access. Our brains are being rewired to take in chunks of information in very short bursts, just think about how many times you check Facebook or your phone while you study (or are even in class). Online everything is new and interesting, if you get bored you can just click a new link.

I would assume this same "rewiring" has caused multitasking abilities to increase. I'm currently texting a few friends, watching the latest Walking Dead episode, and idly video chatting all while writing this blog entry. Yes, all of this varies on the individual, but if it is possible to get away with why not multitask? Our brains are wired to prioritize information depending on their importance, but when it is being flooded with multiple distractions and sources, how does it know which to choose? Needless to say, productivity and concentration have decreased.

We always talk of how there are never enough hours in the day, maybe we just need to work on how to spend the hours we're allotted. There are so many "productivity apps" and resources that help users limit their distractions by limiting their time spent or even blocking certain websites - shouldn't we be able to self-police a bit better? Digital distractions are only going to increase, so what can we do as digital natives to keep the negative effects of them at bay?