Distraction and Information Overload
Stoooopid .... why the Google generation isn’t as smart as it thinks is another look at how media technology and social networking can sliver our thoughts. What most writers fail to note when lamenting the use of the Internet is that choices are involved. Brushing off Google, Microsoft, IMB, and Intel as “the companies most active in denying us our craving for depth, the great distracters” is an easy way to blame others for what one chooses to do with the access.
While skimming many things on the Internet is an option, it is also possible to become immersed in a good book or long article using the same medium. Check out the Top 100 Books being downloaded at Project Gutenberg, or read the close to 2,000-word article I’m discussing here.
In addition, it’s necessary to distinguish between multitasking and interruption. I would argue they are not the same thing. Advertisements, train announcements, the neighbor’s blaring radio ... these are not a part of multitasking. Our attention is not being intentionally split between this and another project, it is being distracted by uninvited or unexpected information. Multitasking could mean copying the information being researched into an email for a friend, while creating a post about it and keeping the database searches running for more information. There is a huge difference in the level of concentration being given to the deep thoughts about a project when it is being interpreted for various outlets versus pulling out of those deep thoughts to address something else.