Do you crib about how forgetful you’ve become and remembering simplest of things is an arduous task? Apparently, surfing the Internet is largely responsible for all this change.
According to a recent comment by UK psychologist Sheila Keegan, surfing the Internet is changing the way our brain works, reducing our ability to think and concentrate long-term use of Internet could even cause brain dysfunction.”
As most of us deal with this issue on a daily basis, here are few examples of how stale our brain has become and why some don’t see it as an impending crisis.
Shweta Kumar, media professional, agrees that Internet is slowing her thought-process. She shares, “I suffer from a deficiency of Vitamin B12 which causes lack of concentration and it’s difficult for me to remember most things. To top it, excessive use of Internet at work is adding to my woes. I archive everything and don’t even attempt to consciously remember anything. I can always count on my Email.”
Communication consultant Taruna Singh begs to differ. “I do not feel that the Internet is changing the way our brain works. Thanks to Google, people now spend less time stressing over gathering information about everything. Even when there wasn’t any Internet people maintained diaries to remember numbers, birthdays, etc, so having the same calendar on your phone just makes life simpler. We’re dependent on Internet, but only because it is so convenient. I’m in touch with more people than I have ever been and I feel that because the Internet is around, I learn more everyday.”
Psychiatrist Dr Samir Parikh also assures that though technology has made things easier for us, it’s not going to lead to a crisis. “Of course, excessive use of Internet is making us forgetful, our attention span is lesser, but there are other factors like stress, deadlines and other factors which are equally responsible. I don’t see this as a threat at all.”
Gautam K.S., professional, sums up, saying, . “It’s unbelievable how I can’t memorise any phone numbers, Earlier, I laughed at my friends who acted snooty with their cellphones, and now I’m one of them.”