Surface Ripples

Harmful Devices?

I’m sitting in a clinic’s reception area waiting for an appointment.  Behind me is a young child (obviously waiting with other) for an appointment whilst watching some kind of children’s programme on mother’s smartphone to keep them amused (and quiet?).

My question is, what’s this doing to the child’s development?  Before smartphones and their ability to deliver on-the-spot gratification, what did we do?  Answer: if we knew we were in for a long wait, we brought a book, books of puzzle games, drawing books, caught up with our journals or any other activity that engaged our minds. 

These days, one sees very few instances of this.  Instead, it’s mind-dulling activity potentially robbing us of future generations of artists, musicians, creators, authors and the like. 

The trouble is, it’s too easy to hand them a smartphone to keep them quiet. 

What if we engaged them in conversation, played games (that didn’t require running around) instead?  If we’re “dumbing down” their minds at this stage, small wonder people complain of educational standards also being “dumbed down.    

Now we’ve got “Artificial Intelligence” - what about dealing with “Natural Dumbness” first?  Is Ai the natural response to instant gratification?  

We’re continually told we need the “skills” to react to a “fast-changing world”, but developing these skills starts when we’re young with conditioning the mind. 

More interaction, less “camer-action”?

I’ve spent more than half my life delivering change in different world markets from the most developed to “emerging” economies. With a wealth of international experience in international financial services around the world running different operations and lending businesses, I started my own Consultancy to provide solutions for improving performance, productivity and risk management.  I work with individuals, small businesses, charities, quoted companies and academic institutions across the world. An international speaker, trainer, author and fund-raiser, I can be contacted by email. 

Labels: Social

posted by William Martin @ 12:10