An article published in the Telegraph questions whether our gadgets (cell phones, PDAs, BlackBerrys, etc) are making us more forgetful. The facts are based on a British study.
To me, the whole thing point out blatantly obvious facts that have been true for the human race in general throughout history. Here are some examples: –
“A quarter of all Britons don’t remember their landline number.”
This has been true for a long time before the Blackberry – you rarely call your landline thus you’re not recalling it very often to remember it.
“…as little as a third can recall birthdays of their immediate family”
Again, been true for a very, very long time. There are many black and white, maybe even some silent films highlighting the antics of a husband forgetting his spouses birthday. I know I’m terrible with birthdays and my Blackberry isn’t helping much.
“the average citizen has to remember five passwords, five pin numbers, two number (license) plates, three security ID numbers and three bank account numbers just to get through day to day life.”
Really? that many? wow.
Our grandparents, even our parents, didn’t have passwords and pin numbers to remember, they didn’t have multiple cars, and multiple bank accounts. It’s often necessary to keep them ‘written down’ somewhere.
“Men came off worse than women. Only 55 per cent of men could remember their wedding anniversary, compared to 90 per cent of women.”
Doesn’t surprise me now, it wouldn’t have surprised me 30 years ago either.
In all I think this points out that we, as a human race, have more to remember than our ancestors do.
It’s a given; with Information Technology comes more information, it’s part of that evolution.
The human brain hasn’t changed much as the technology has evolved (though, I believe it has changed some) because, the very nature of technology means it doesn’t have to.
What do you think?
