I’ve been following the cascade of conversations about “neurodivergence” and ADHD… the plethora of anxiety and other mental health disorders… and I can’t help but wonder, “Is our brain built for this modern world?”
Do we have mental health problems? Or do we have issues with the world we’re trying to keep up with?
Is there a problem with us? Or is this a natural and normal response to a dysfunctional world?
I was reading about a study recently that revealed that just two weeks without internet access can significantly improve cognitive function… reversing up to 10 years of cognitive decline. WHAT?!
We have new terms like “digital dementia” that describe the symptoms of dementia being created by dopamine pathways being poured into every waking hour of the day, as well as blue light disrupting many things… but especially our production of melatonin — thus creating problems with our sleep and the production of so many other essential hormones. When we live as if everything that matters is on a screen, we literally create grey matter in our minds.
The irony is not lost upon me.
And yet, I fear writing about this because I know how humans work — WE KNOW THIS IS BAD FOR US. We don’t want to learn about the ways we’re harming ourselves, which feel really good. Collectively, we’re like a bunch of alcoholics who don’t want to learn that alcohol is bad.
Now granted, it’s fine to consume technology in moderation… but I really need to ask:
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