ADD: A Digital Distraction

Occupying much of my free time is a chance to catch a "wave" and go surfing. Of course I'm referring to the interweb and not some tasty waves along the Atlantic. I do enjoy the aspect of searching and staying up to date with the latest of the whatever & whatnot. However, lately I have noticed that all of this time online comes with a a bigger price & not just a monthly fee. The time (like all things) is the price, but the big idea is the effect to the mind. With all of the multitasking going on online with the modern user, I can easily note that our brains function differently than once before and who knows what to behold with the newest generations coming into an online world.

Back when the 56K internet connection was the "king of speed," everyone knew that the net was only going to get better and faster. I recall using two browsers at once to multitask online. I thought that was a grand idea. Now with modernized fiber optics and improved browser functions, some are doing way more than just two, three or four things simultaneously online. Even the iPhone has realized this (hence the new OS for iPod Touch also). This multitasking is making our brains react quickly to certain things entering our minds. Instantly, we need to find an answer. I can acknowledge that this is a great luxury, but with so much information in our hands, where do we draw the line? Now with the internet on many smart phones, there is no end to distraction overload.

In a blessing in disguise, my phone is currently on the fritz. I am almost humbled in the fact that I am often relinquishing myself from it at times and often consider future uses as I am currently in the market for a new phone. In order for many of us to accept thought process, we need some time away from all devices. I think that the web (and its more uses by the day) is just giving us too much to do online. This can be good and it can bad. Staying informed is great, but moderation is the key to any standard. Think about how many times people are messing around with their phones even in a grocery store line just to kill time until or even during checkout. Are phones and social media also becoming the communication protocol for even face-to-face contact? It seems like the direction we are headed for.

We've all noticed that kids today (which includes some of us also) and their new walk. The walk that includes texting or diddling on the cell phone/mobile device often causes some of us to say "Excuse You" rather than "Excuse Me." I just recently saw an ad for Mini automobiles which includes a man with his family shopping for cars. While discussing safety features and price, his two daughters are texting all the while during Dad's business dealings. Why is the media projecting the sense that this is all kids are interested in? Sure it may be all they do, but is there no other interest other than a connection to an electronic device?

If we cannot train ourselves to cast off from these devices at times, then we may become (or already are) addicted to yet another material need. I think that students of a new generation should learn online obedience as well as online etiquette. I propose this only because we surely are capable of controlling ourselves and don't always need to see a doctor regarding a "focus pill" for which the wealthy drug companies are making another killing based on our self-control decisions.