Modern technology made of fast computers, ever larger LCD screens, smartphones that take pictures, tablets that are better than traditional PCs and the internet everywhere, has changed human physiology and everyone's life. It affects our memory, attention spans, sleep cycles. With the wealth of information and the interactivity of the applications, it has made us change the way we think we feel things differently, and we also have different dreams. In this case, this is the wealth of information offered by the Internet and interactive technologies. Experts judge these changes positively or negatively depending on the school of thought: some praise the effects of technology on the ability to organize our lives and free our mind to think deeper; others fear the paralyzing effects of technology on our attention and memory. Since each investigation ends with strongly conflicting conclusions, let's try here to see, without relying on particular studies, some of the main ways in which technology has changed our brain and the way we think, for better or for worse .
READ ALSO: How the smartphone can ruin our lives if used poorly
1) Need to share and see what others are sharing
Before Facebook, when a person came back from a party or outing, they could sit on the sofa or go to bed without worrying about sharing things. Today there is a strong need to publish images and videos of dinner, drunk, party or picnic on Facebook or other social networks. Obviously then you spend time looking at the photos and messages published by other friends by making the comparison.
2) The wait and the comparison
Always remaining within Facebook, once the photos of a particular evening or event are published, it is inevitable to wait for comments and "likes". Equally inevitable is to make comparisons and see how many more likes have been obtained than the photos of other friends. It doesn't take a psychologist to understand that this constant need to seek confirmation and compare yourself with others is not good for morale.
3) Phantom vibration syndrome
A common problem for many people is to think that our phone is ringing, even when it isn't. It is not only the phantom rings but above all the physical sensation of itching or any other small vibration that can deceive and be interpreted as a vibration of the phone.
4) Difficulty sleeping
All technophiles are used to using the laptop, or rather with the tablet or smartphone, in bed before falling asleep. More scientific studies have shown that the incandescent lights emitted by the screens of laptops, tablets and smartphones inhibit sleep and make the brain believe that it is still day. The eyes are particularly sensitive to the blue light emitted by the screens and can cause insomnia in severe cases.
5) Less ability to learn things by heart
Once learning things by heart was considered a skill to boast about, especially at school. Today it is less important to know things by heart because you just have to search Google for anything. The Internet is immediately at your fingertips, so there is no need to learn the capital of Madagascar or a friend's birthday when you can find this information on the internet. Similarly, people no longer do mathematical calculations in the mind or by hand and are no longer able to get around town without a GPS navigator.
6) Little attention and little desire to deepen
Social media and the Internet have reduced our attention spans. Those who are immersed in digital media, social networks, online newspapers and blogs, may have difficulties in prolonged reading of a book and, at the same time, only read bits of articles, only headlines and bold. This phenomenon can be a problem for younger people, whose brains may not develop concentration skills.
7) Better visual and decision-making skills
Technology is not only bad of course and in addition to having fun and facilitating our lives, it has also made better visual skills.
It is above all the 3D video games of the most advanced consoles, those that simulate realistic and engaging adventures, to force players to stay awake, look around the environment and improve decision-making skills.
8) Worse impulse control
At the same time, it is true that video games can cause more impulsive and aggressive behavior. Players forced to make hasty decisions in violent situations can lead to more immediate reactions, hostility or uncontrolled aggression in real life.
9) Best creative spirit
There is no doubt that technology makes it easier for artists and entrepreneurs to be creative. The Internet is not only an opportunity, but also a means of improving one's cognitive ability. Social media requires users to interact with texts, images and videos in a new way, promoting a culture of sharing. People are therefore very inclined to share something of their own and make use of a creativity that, until some time ago, would have remained dormant. What is certain is that creativity can often develop in the direction of bad taste or completely inappropriate.
READ ALSO: 15 things that the Internet has replaced, killed or made obsolete
