Today, the New York Times reported on an interesting ethnographic study involving 5 neuroscientists on a quest to understand ”how heavy use of digital devices and other technology changes how we think and behave, and how a retreat into nature might reverse those effects.”
A boat trip down the Colorado River? Research grant turned into mini-vacation, anyone? Now why didn’t I think of this? Sure would have sweetened the social media fast a little bit! Although I wonder if that would have merely created a different type of distraction. After all, it seems easier to leave your digital life behind while you’re on vacation — or while you’re struggling not to fall off a boat. What’s more difficult is leaving your laptop turned off when it’s sitting right next to you begging for attention and longing to be touched.
