Classic psychology says that our brains cannot do two things at once. We know, though, that we do this all the time. I'm learning that most multi-taskers think they are brilliant at multi-tasking. We are looking at people in the eyes and then minimizing their window to bring something else to the center of our focus. Being aware of several things at once, we impress ourselves. As we become more impressed with ourselves, however, we are far more likely to discredit another. Be aware, we're not as stealthy as we see ourselves.
Have you heard some form of this line?
"Before driving while talking on the cell [without hands-free] was illegal, I would talk on the phone, listen to the radio, drink my Starbucks, yell at the kids in the back, unwrap and eat my cheeseburger, shift, AND drive...no biggy". Is this not extraordinarily frightening?
How long has it been, in hours, since you were talking to someone and, in mid-conversation, they pulled out their phone? How long has it been since you have done this?
Our minds are becoming so disorganized... so distracted. On a daily basis we hear someone else self-diagnose ADD. We drive somewhere and don't even remember driving there. If we shut down the email program or Facebook or our cell phones, the internet or technology isn't going to be mad at us, the people on the other side are. You didn't respond to my email, are you mad at me? Why did you reject my 'friend-request'?
Personally, I'm at my best when I can choose when to communicate. I'm aware this is very opposite of standard. To the digital world's surprise and dismay, I get mad, tired, overwhelmed... or conversely, too happy, to be online or on the phone. Non-robot people tend to face constant censure and reprisal for their lacking techno-punctuality.
In Frontline's documentary "Digital nation", doctors and professors consider whether excessive internet use is a disease or just a phenomenon. Most agree that the internet (including gaming) and technology can definitely become an addiction. The internet is a world were every urge we have can be answered instantly, making the non-digital world frustrating because of its tendency to be a more delayed-gratification atmosphere. How a person chooses to spend their time has a profound effect on what their brain will be like, especially when it comes to young, developing minds. The internet THOROUGHLY re-writes the rules of interaction. At least we are alone online together.
"We are consumed by that which we are nourished by"-Shakespeare
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