Are We Losing Our Essential Skills to Technology?

There have been sizeable changes in the skill-set of human beings with the advent of technology. It is not unnatural that the discovery of any tool modifies the human skill set. In fact, there is now conclusive proof that even reading and writing reprograms the organization of the brain, much like the use of any tool. It is thus undeniable that the use (or overuse) of technology can potentially alter the brain.

• Multiple studies have shown shrinkage in gray matter areas due to internet/gaming addiction.
• Impaired cognitive functioning and other alterations of the brain have also been noticed in cases of screen time overuse.
• A study shows college students remember less information when they knew they could easily access it later.
• Other skills such as direction (to GPS), handwriting (to typing), and mental arithmetic (to calculators) are losing out as well.

Skills have always been lost in time – we no longer light a fire using flint stones. As long as old skills are replaced by equivalent new ones, we are safe. But when the loss of a skill set leaves a void that has not been filled, we must rethink the situation and take steps to regain the balance, don’t you think?

Lakshmi