A friend told me about this news program from PBS’s Frontline, and I’d say it is a “must watch” for those interested in how technology is affecting our lives, those of kids and teens, and changing society as a whole. Frontline: Digital Nation The program covers many fascinating topics such as what technology is doing …Read More
Internet Addiction & Depression
Feb 13, 2010
As cited in a recent Reuters news article on MSNBC, a study by British scientists published in the journal Psychopathology found that people who spend a lot of time on the Internet are more depressed than those who don’t. In this study, the researches analyzed the Internet use of 1,319 Britons between the ages of …Read More
Tech Workouts to Build Brain "Muscle"?
Jan 20, 2010
I recently read an article in the January 18, 2010 issue of Time magazine concerning “Workouts for Your Brain” by Bonnie Rochman. She reviewed some of the recent software and tech devices designed to enhance cognitive functioning. She also briefly examined some of the research findings as to whether such software really does enhance cognitive …Read More
Future Technology – It Is Already Here!
Jan 11, 2010
I recently watched this Technology, Entertainment, & Design (TED) presentation that occurred in November of 2009 in India. The presenter was Pranav Mistry, an inventor, visionary, and genius from MIT who presented on his group’s “Sixth Sense” technology. This presentation must be seen to be believed: I don’t want to be a spoiler. Just watch …Read More
Happiness Through an iPhone?
Dec 18, 2009
I’ll admit it – I’ve had iPhone envy since they came out a couple of years ago. I’ve had the minimalist cell phone for what seems like forever. I’ve always liked gadgets, so that made the iPhone all the more tempting. My studies of Buddhism, mindfulness, the psychology of happiness and well-being and so on …Read More
The Paradox of Choice – Why More Is Not Better (Part 1)
Nov 10, 2009
There are some fundamental assumptions in just about every Western industrialized nation, Swarthmore College psychologist Dr. Barry Schwartz, argues: (1) Freedom is endemic to the human condition…that it is inherently good to have. (2) Providing more choices is a way to maximize freedom. It is a form of liberation. (3) If freedom is maximized, individuals …Read More
Cell Phone Use Can Lead to Insomnia
Mar 5, 2009
This is from an article in Aug/Sep 2008 issue of Scientific American Mind by R. Douglas Fields: It appears that cell phone use prior to bedtime can contribute to insomnia. Cell phone use increases alpha brain waves. Alpha waves typically are high when the mind is trying to shut out the external world and create …Read More
Audiobooks
Feb 8, 2009
First, I have to let you know that I’m not getting paid in any way to say this, but I really love my iPod. I have a number of podcasts that I listen to (such as Radiolab, which I posted about previously). Lately, I have been getting into audiobooks, which can be downloaded from iTunes …Read More
Teens & "Sexting"
Jan 25, 2009
I discussed teens & cell phones (particularly texting addiction) in my previous post. A new problem that has arisen in recent years is teens engaging in “sexting.” This means that teens are sending each other sexually explicit photos or videos of themselves or other teens via their cell phones. A recent survey indicated that about …Read More
Can Texting Be Damaging for Teens?
Jan 20, 2009
I was recently interviewed by Fox News here in Austin about whether excessive texting can be damaging for teens. Here is a link to that interview: http://www.myfoxaustin.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=EDCD902153D1F988A219AC848700B221?contentId=8257261&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=1.1.1&sflg=1 Now, you have to qualify this by stating that I am still learning how to give a good interview. This was a live interview, and so it was …Read More