It's the technology, stupid

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It's the technology, stupid
By Michael Horsnell in London
April 23, 2005
From:


THE regular use of text messages and emails can lower the IQ more than twice as much as smoking marijuana.
Psychologists have found that tapping away on a mobile phone or computer keypad or checking them for electronic messages temporarily knocks up to 10 points off the user's IQ.

This rate of decline in intelligence compares unfavourably with the four-point drop in IQ associated with smoking marijuana, according to British researchers, who have labelled the fleeting phenomenon of enhanced stupidity as "infomania".

Research on sleep deprivation suggests that the IQ drop caused by electronic obsession is also equivalent to a wakeful night.

The study, commissioned by technology company Hewlett Packard, concludes that infomania is mainly a problem for adult workers, especially men.

The noticeable drop in IQ is attributed to the constant distraction of "always on" technology, when employees should be concentrating on what they are paid to do. They lose concentration as their minds remain fixed in an almost permanent state of readiness to react to technology instead of focusing on the task at hand.

The brain also finds it hard to cope with juggling lots of tasks at once, reducing its overall effectiveness, the study has found. And while modern technology can have huge benefits, excessive use can be damaging not only to a person's mind, but also their social life.

Eighty volunteers took part in clinical trials on IQ deterioration and 1100 adults were interviewed.

Sixty-two per cent of people polled admitted that they were addicted to checking their email and text messages so assiduously that they scrutinised work-related ones even when at home or on holiday. Half said they always responded immediately to an email and 21 per cent would interrupt a meeting to do so.

Furthermore, infomania is having a negative effect on work colleagues, increasing stress and dissenting feelings. Nine out of 10 polled thought that colleagues who answered emails or messages during a face-to-face meeting were extremely rude. Yet one in three Britons believes that it is not only acceptable to do so, but actually diligent and efficient.

The effects on IQ were studied by Glenn Wilson, a University of London psychologist, as part of the research project.

"This is a very real and widespread phenomenon," he said. "We have found that infomania, if unchecked, will damage a worker's performance by reducing their mental sharpness."

The report suggests that firms that give employees gadgets and devices to help them keep in touch should also produce guidelines on use. These "best-practice tips" include turning devices off in meetings and using "dead time", such as travelling time, to read messages and check emails.

David Smith, commercial manager of Hewlett Packard, said: "The research suggests that we are in danger of being caught up in a 24-hour, always-on society.

"This is more worrying when you consider the potential impairment on performance and concentration for workers, and the consequent impact on businesses.

"Always-on technology has proven productivity benefits, but people need to use it responsibly. We know that technology makes us more effective, but we also know that misuse of technology can be counter-productive."

From The Times of London in The Australian

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Fuente:
It's the technology, stupid | INFOMANIA | Breaking News 24/7 - NEWS.com.au (23-04-2005)