Progress or Infantilizing the Brain?
From The Guardian, UK, on Feb. 24:
Social network sites risk infantilising the mid-21st century mind, leaving it characterised by short attention spans, sensationalism, inability to empathise and a shaky sense of identity, according to a leading neuroscientist.
The startling warning from Lady Greenfield, professor of synaptic pharmacology at Lincoln college, Oxford, and director of the Royal Institution, has led members of the government to admit their work on internet regulation has not extended to broader issues, such as the psychological impact on children.
Both the article and the comments are fascinating. Notice how many comments leap straight into condemnation of Lady Greenfield … is that “inability to empathize” or merely disagreement? Of course, the challenge is whether or not you can read the article in its entirety without falling victim to a “short attention span” …