Yesterday, I read @ariherzog‘s post on “Why Social Media is Dangerous for Your Brain.”
I agreed with some of what he said, but not all, or even most of it.
I completely agree that we can’t multitask. We think we can, but we can’t. Can we do multiple things at once? Sure we can. But we don’t do either (any) of them as well as when we do one at a time. I used to think I could, but over time I’ve realized I was wrong. About the only multitasking I can do is listen to music while I do something else. I do write better with music in the background. But that’s it.
Where I don’t agree with him is on his minimalist approach with social media and mobile devices. If you know me even a little bit, you know I don’t go anywhere without my iPhone. But it doesn’t control my life. I control it. If I need to concentrate, I put it in Airplane Mode. Then I can use it for music and tracking my tasks, but I can’t be distracted by phone calls, email and texts.
Lots of people are writing about the dangers of technology and the over abundance of information. I don’t think they are inherently dangerous. I do think we give up control to technology. But that’s our choice.
I do choose to keep my phone with me most of the time. But I also choose when it is allowed to distract me.
I do choose to engage in social media. But I also choose when and for how long.
I love having access to information, in just about any format I could want. Again, I choose when to connect and when to disconnect. Yes, I love to surf the web. I also very much like curling up with a good book and losing myself in a page. (Okay, in my case the page is electronic too.)
Technology can be used for good. It can also be used incorrectly or in ways that are harmful. I’m not going to disagree with that. I believe it’s our responsibility as human beings to know the difference and make better choices.
Government and society can’t protect us from ourselves. And we’re fooling ourselves if we think they can.
Tags: iPhone, social media, time management
You can’t go anywhere without your iphone. OK, let’s focus on that, shall we?
Once upon a time, you bought the iphone. And for many years prior, you didn’t have an iphone. Do you look back on your pre-iphone life and wonder to yourself how you survived? You don’t conversely wonder whether you really need it?
Thanks for the ping!
You’re welcome!
Now, to your question. Do I “*need* the iPhone? No, of course not. I can do everything I do with an iPhone with other options. A “dumb” cell phone will take calls. My computer can handle writing, scheduling and email. A pad of paper will cover taking notes. Paper books would feed my need for reading. An MP3 player or stereo would allow me to listen to music. And a file cabinet will store all required documents and allow me to access and organize them.
The iPhone enables me to keep all (or most) of that in one place. I have tested working an entire day from the iPhone. No computer or other device. And it worked. So I am more productive by having everything I need in one place and with me at all times. When I think of a blog post, I write it in Evernote. When I think of something I need to do, I write it in Action Lists. Have a few minutes to kill while in line? I can choose from reading, answering email, checking Twitter, listening to music or reading a book. I can, of course, also choose to leave the phone on my belt and think or be mentally quiet. And I do that a lot too.
My iPhone allows me to get more done in the same amount of time *without* multitasking (or fooling myself into thinking I can). I can use small slots of time that might otherwise be wasted to be productive. I have everything with me so I’m not scrambling. I manage my tasks so I’m using my time most effectively. Can it be distracting and tempt me to multitask? Sure, but I choose not to use it that way. Which is why I’m not too worried that my phone won’t run the multitasking part of the new iOS4. I don’t need that part because I don’t use the phone that way. Except of course when I’m playing Plants vs. Zombies, and a call comes in right as I’m finishing a level. I hate it when that happens.
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