Are We Really Getting Stupider?

In a recent edition of Quadrant magazine there is in interesting article by Rob Nugent that argues that the practice of reading is in decline in an age when there is more information available then at any time in human history. This is also in spite of the fact that literacy levels are at an all time high the amount of time spent reading is at an all time low. The article suggests that we are entering an "age of ignorance" as the masses consume lightweight media as opposed to undertaking deep reading. The emergence of new media and communication technologies has eliminated the need for us to exercise out intellectual muscles, our minds are becoming as fat and lazy as our bodies.

It could be all too easy to dismiss Nugent as simply another aging academic who has spent a career on a narrow discipline that no longer enjoys the spotlight of previous generations. A cynic might suggest that the root of Nugent's problem is really the demise of the compulsory study of the classics in liberal arts courses, rather than as a more damning indictment of human development and potential. That is, of course, a perfectly valid dismissal if Nugent was the sole voice of dissent. However the theme of technology making us fat and stupid has become a very popular meme in recent years.

The idea that we are becoming stupider is also the subject of Nicholas Carr's latest book called "The Shallows". Carr argues that the speed and superficiality of the internet is actually altering our cognitive processes, so that we are no longer able to sustain deep reading and thinking. The problem, he argues, is no longer a matter of choice, but capability. We became overwhelmed with information as the information age swept over us, and our coping strategy was to skim, dip and summarise. However over time all we are now capable of is skimming and dipping, as the discipline of deep study is no longer practiced.

There are many more examples of the perils of technology impacting our development. You don't have to read academic essays to be exposed to the idea that technology is making us stupid and lazy. You only have to watch the Pixar movie Wall-E to get a glimpse the future of human civilization. And if Nugent and Carr are correct than the chances are that you are far more likely to be spending your time watching cartoons than reading their essays anyway.

These are not particularly new arguments. Of course similar fears were expressed when television was first introduced, but somehow the world managed to scrape through. The TV was referred to as the "idiot box", suggesting that time spent in front of the television would make us stupid rather than educating us. Hmm, come to think of it, maybe they had a point :)

But actually that is the point. Ultimately technology is just a tool. There is nothing inherently problematic in the use of technology , it really depends on how it is put to use. Like all new tools we need to learn the most productive ways to use them. No only new techniques , but new frames of reference.

The idea that we are becoming shallow thinkers because we skim and dip is misleading. Ideas and thoughts happen internally when we process information, irrespective of whether the information comes from a book or a web page. Our minds are essentially the same as they have been for a millions years or so. The difference is how we organise and process the information we receive.
The real question then is does faster information processing automatically result in shallow thinking? Personally I think that is a ridiculous idea, in fact I believe the rise of digital information gives us more opportunity to consume more, learn more and process better than at any time in human history.

For example tools like blogs and forums can give us many different perspectives and ideas that may never occur to a single author or academic. And the ability to participate in the ongoing discussions over a period of time seems to me to be far more conducive to ongoing knowledge acquisition and retention than simply reading a text book once when you went to uni, or by rote learning facts and dates in order to pass an exam.

In spite of the rise of multi media the art of reading remains an essential skill. The reason why reading remains so relevant in the modern age is because it is the fastest way to consume information. It is also the easiest way to store, retrieve and reference information. With tools like OneNote or Evernote it is possible to capture and retrieve information using traditional note taking methods while making them instantly searchable. Even for people who have already developed learning methods on old technologies can benefit greatly simply by using new tools.

You can raise your ability to process information to a whole new level again by utilising tools such as mind mapping software. You can organize vast amounts of information in such a way that the human memory systems can be constantly reinforced in the most efficient manner possible.

There are advanced applications that help to train the memory through techniques such as spaced repetition, which presents information at increasing lengths of time in order to optimise the process of learning from short term memory to long term memory. The best application of this technology is to improve vocabulary in foreign language acquisition.

Other applications help learn speed reading skills, improving both reading speed and comprehension skills. Rather than using technology as a crutch to reinforce poor memory and concentration as argued by Carr, technology can be used as an educator, trainer and mentor to overcome learning difficulties and challenges.

We are certainly at an interesting point in history. Our generation is witnessing the death of film and paper. We have advanced beyond analog and radio waves, and experienced the rise of digital. Just last week saw the demise of the Borders book store chain in Australia and the U.S. Some may see this as another example of the degeneration of reading. But I see it simply as the evolution of information systems. At the end of the day a book is just a bunch of paper. What is important is the information it contains. The delivery method is irrelevant.

Life is significantly more complex in the digital age, and people are becoming much more adept at processing multiple streams of information. If the basic problem is the nature of the medium itself then the solution is to develop better processes for managing the medium.

I hope my talk tonight has inspired you to embrace new technology to continue to educate and develop our human potential.

(Speech to Toastmasters - 21st Feb 2011)