Digital Distractions Cost Vigilance

Do virtual worlds bring us together with others, or do they just make being utterly alone a little more bearable? There is a very thin line between us managing interface and interface managing us. It is when we start using virtual world to substitute our loneliness and use it as a source to meet our emotional and psychological needs that our interface starts interfering with our task managing abilities and further takes control of it. The fact is that the distraction by an interface and virtual worlds is actually making the generation of ‘digital natives’ less vigilant in their general dealings. Blabbering on social networks such as facebook and twitter gives its users an urge and direction for knowing minor details about other people every second of the day. Marshall McLuhan also rolled the concept that the price of eternal vigilance is indifference. When applied to the technological generation, the essence of the quote is that vigilance is not attained by multitasking practiced by most of the ‘digital generation’. Spending more time online and less time with real people is not making people indifferent; rather they get insignificant bits of information about others’ personal life. Being constantly hooked with the social network is making people lose their ability to concentrate. Slackness is the consequence of using social networks and distracting oneself with online games and videos.

An article called, 'Growing Up Digital, Wired for Distraction' in New York Times on November 21, 2010, discusses the digital native generation being caught between two worlds, a virtual one and one with real-life demands. David Reilly, the principal of Woodside High School in Silicon Valley, California, says that the unchecked use of digital devices can create a culture in which students are addicted to the virtual world and further lost in it. Mr. Reilly also adds that social butterflies tend to be heavy texters and Facebook users while students who are less social might escape into games. Those who are drifters or prone to procrastination might surf the Web or watch videos. Mr. Reilly furthers that technology amplifies who you are. (Growing up digital, wired for distraction, November 21, 2010, New York Times). No matter what level of social involvement a person has, he or she ends up finding the kind of virtual involvement that suits his or her personality.

Marshall McLuhan coined the idea that media and technology are extensions of the human body’s limbs and senses. It was R.W. Emersion who originally wrote in 1870 that all the tools and engines on the earth are only extensions of human being’s limbs and senses. For some people, entering into the virtual world is a way of escaping from the real world and its problems. A lot of people in digital era use Interface to distract themselves, but the fact lies in another era: they could have been distracted by the TV or the radio. Interface and the Internet are just another way of escapism. Distraction, from either the Internet or TV, devoid a person from his or her ability to focus on a certain thing for longer periods of time, and consequently, affects the quality of the work. The constant use of an interface is causing the digital generation to become adroit at multitasking, which leads to less focus on certain work rather than consistency. The virtual world has made immediate gratification a need for its users which ultimately causes the interface to control us.

References:
Marshall McLuhan, February 24, 2011, http://marshallmcluhan.com/mcluhanisms/
Marshall McLuhan, February 24, 2011, http://marshallmcluhan.com/common-questions/

Word Processing vs. Thinking

Word processing is a very effective tool which help facilitate thinking and acts as a buffer for the thought process. Writing long research reports is now not as tedious for the non-professionals with the help of word processing tool in contrast to writing on paper and keeping records. Word processing gives one the opportunity to go back to the document in order to review work and change information which is not possible when using paper and pen. According to the famous sayings, ‘a writer's pen is more powerful than a warrior's sword’ but in today’s digital world the pen has been replaced by the keyboard.

The possible advantages of using word processing tool over handwriting.

Although the chosen web link counts the advantages of word processing, such as accelerating speed, editing, and copying. It also criticizes the 'personality' of the given word processing tool that causes the loss of personal touch and humanity. Both handwriting and typing triggers different thoughts while delivering the same message. Handwriting has a personal touch to it while word processing seems monotonous, regardless, however it sets the criteria for professional formatting worldwide.

The author Turkle emphasizes that “The idea of thinking ahead has become exotic.” Word Processing has made thinking and jotting down ideas a simultaneous process. Although, using paper and pen gives one the chance to create a mind map and flow charts to brainstorm ideas. By the innovation of the digital notebook with handwriting recognition, it is now possible to create mind map, flows charts and handwritten notes on the laptop screen itself, although the final writing is always formatted in word processing. A lot of universities do not accept handwritten formal assignment submissions. For the modern day book writers, paper and pen are obsolete in the presence of the word processing tool which further improves the sentence structure and acts as a catalyst for articulation. In addition to the benefits of Word Processing tool, it is now one’s personal choice to hold on to paper and pen. Not using word processing is not an option in today’s high paced fast tech world, where it has become a basic office tool where even the informal messages are typed. The Internet networking is only possible through the use of keyboard and typing, which makes it even harder to avoid the typing tools for formal writing purposes. One may choose not to use Word Processing tool,  however, the fact cannot be denied that he/she is part of a society that greatly relies on Word Processing tool for formal and informal writing. The Word Processing tool has provided thought process, a smooth platform for its expression and articulation into words while having an opportunity to constantly proofread it.