Mental Obesity: David Ryan Polgar at TEDxSpringfield
This Ted Talk explores the idea of mental obesity as a result of overexposure to technology. Polgar argues that much like how the unlimited access to food in America has made the population physically obese, our constant use of technology has made our brains cloudy and sluggish. There is so much information constantly bombarding us that we don't have time to actually filter it and learn from it, resulting in a brain laden down with information it doesn't know how to use. We need time to develop information into knowledge and then knowledge to wisdom. Unfortunately, all we are doing is blindly consuming every piece of information technology has to offer without stopping to analyze or even question it. That is why some balance is needed so that the brain has time to wander and develop original thought.
It is obvious to see that there is a quickly growing problem concerning technology use in our society. It's constant availability and stream of information has lulled our minds into a stupor. We rely way too heavily on technology's brains instead of our own and we are no longer capable of figuring out a problem for ourselves because we know we can just look it up and have the answer in a second. This certainly has it's benefits but overuse of it has turned us into a society that struggles with forming original thoughts and solutions. The constant outpouring of information has suppressed our natural capabilities when it comes to thought process and generating new ideas. In order to refresh our minds and wake us up from this technology daze, we need to be more involved in less electronic-based activities. Our minds need to wander and resharpen after being dulled by the overuse of electronics. There is no better way to do this than to immerse ourselves in the refreshing effects of nature.
Unfortunately this problem is starting at an earlier and earlier age as time goes on. Kids are spending less and less time outdoors and more time inside with electronics instead. Already they are being brainwashed to function only on an electronic level.
It is obvious to see that there is a quickly growing problem concerning technology use in our society. It's constant availability and stream of information has lulled our minds into a stupor. We rely way too heavily on technology's brains instead of our own and we are no longer capable of figuring out a problem for ourselves because we know we can just look it up and have the answer in a second. This certainly has it's benefits but overuse of it has turned us into a society that struggles with forming original thoughts and solutions. The constant outpouring of information has suppressed our natural capabilities when it comes to thought process and generating new ideas. In order to refresh our minds and wake us up from this technology daze, we need to be more involved in less electronic-based activities. Our minds need to wander and resharpen after being dulled by the overuse of electronics. There is no better way to do this than to immerse ourselves in the refreshing effects of nature.
Unfortunately this problem is starting at an earlier and earlier age as time goes on. Kids are spending less and less time outdoors and more time inside with electronics instead. Already they are being brainwashed to function only on an electronic level.