In this episode of Your Brain Secrets, we delve into thought-provoking discussions about the human mind and the impact of technology on our cognitive evolution. In this episode, David Eder joins me to explore the themes from my book “The Rise and Fall of the Human Mind”. We address questions about how modern technology influences our thinking processes and overall brain function. By listening, you’ll gain insights into the potential dangers of our increasing reliance on technology and discover ways to reclaim our mental capabilities.
“Everything that we’re getting in life now is an excerpt. It’s a barcode. It’s not a paper menu anymore… Life is all about excerpts now.”
In the discussion, I draw attention to how life today is increasingly experienced in fragmented bits, or “excerpts.” With technology providing quick solutions, our interactions, decisions, and even our learning are reduced to short, processed pieces rather than holistic experiences. This shift has major implications for how our minds develop and retain information.
What Will You Learn in This Podcast
In this episode, you’ll learn a few important ideas about technology and our brains:
Cognitive Offloading:
This is when we let devices do the thinking for us. For example, we might rely on our phones to remember dates or facts instead of keeping them in our memory. While this is convenient, it can make us forget how to think critically and remember information.
Modern Tech vs. Brain Functions:
Even though our brains haven’t changed much over thousands of years, the way we use them has changed a lot recently—especially in the last 20 years. This rapid change can make it harder for our brains to adapt and function well in a world full of technology.
Why Writing by Hand Helps Us Remember Better:
We talk about why writing on paper is better for remembering things than typing on a keyboard. Studies show that when we physically write things down, we understand and remember them better. This is an important reminder to consider how we engage with information every day.
