And I Thought it Was From Aging...

Do you ever feel like you're just floating from thing to thing? Forgetting a thought in mid-stream?

Today I read (actually listened) to this interesting article on NPR about Nicolas Carr's latest book, The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains. It kind of scared me actually. Carr started research for The Shallows after he noticed a change in his own ability to concentrate. Hmm...

I assumed that my bouts of forgetfulness were due to aging. I'm constantly forgetting a thought during the middle of a sentence, or on my way to do something only to forget what it was!

Whether it's the internet or simply aging, I can tell you this. Some distractions make me a bit nuts such as...

really small typeset on websites or blogs so you have to squint to read it...

Perhaps if the font was larger, we would be able to focus better.

Reading words against a black background. That kinda drives me crazy.


Ads that pop up and flash in the middle of your screen out of nowhere!


Those are just a few. We each have our own internet "pet peeves." I haven't figured out a remedy except to read more books and magazines, and of course, your wonderful blogs. And, take walks away from the computer. I refuse to get a Kindle. Ever.

Thanks for letting me vent. I was really thinking it was an age thing, which it could very well be, but the jury's still out on that one. I am off to read a book...the kind with pages that you can turn.


And speaking of books, The Shallows sounds like an interesting read. You can purchase it online here.

Have a great rest of the week!


Comments

Uncle Beefy said…
Child! Lord have mercy! YES! YES! YES! I second that emotion! (Though kinda guilty of the small type thing sometimes. My bad.) My mind can barely keep up anymore! And, if I hear one more person talk to me about the professional benefits of being able to "multi-task"... I'll likely be writing my blog from prison!!! Such b.s.! Grrrr!

I mean, not that I really care about any of this. ;)
vicki archer said…
I agree with all that you say Lynn...except about black, I find it easier to read on black...but that's just me! Pop ups, comment moderation and music send me away in a hurry....The internet is the most wonderful invention but only if we make it suit our own purposes. Too much of any good thing is bad! xv
I recently read a book called Rapt: Attention and the Focused Life. Pick it up if you get a chance. It was really great. One of the things it was mentioning was that we all think that we can 'multi-task' so well.. but the fact is its just not true. What we end up doing is dividing our attention and not really focusing on one thing in particular, so we end up doing a lot of things kind of ok and nothing really well. There are a lot of distracting things out there in today's world and its more important than ever to learn how to focus amid the chaos.
And all this time I thought learning new tasks would refire these aging neurons and keep them going. I am probably wrong and it is actually going the other way.........I expect I will find out soon-lol! Much love XO
La Dolfina said…
Wow and I thought it was from stress... Good, I can blame the internet since it's really gotten bad since I started blogging!!!
Barb said…
I confess that I am guilty about occasional small print (under a photo)and music from time to time. I enjoy it and I guess if it is annoying, it can be turned off.

Kindle-no way. One of the most satisfying things is to sit down and actually turn the pages of a great book. My friends disagree but I would rather carry a book than carry a kindle.

have a wonderful week.
FrenchBlue said…
Lynn,
As we have talked about, I couldn't agree more with most of what you said.
I think this is "part of the club" too though..let Renee know what she is in for coming up:)
XO
Cashon&Co said…
Ditto to everything you said! (well except the kindle part.... Have to say I like techie stuff...) BUT definitely ditto to the rest!
Dear Lynn,
I actually think that it's an age thing !!!!I have been losing my concentration for years !! You've disillusioned me now as I thought that the internet was HELPING me with that....using my brain etc.
I have also magnified a couple of things so that I can see them better !! Oh well, we have all got to get older eventually ! XXXX
Atticmag said…
I've been suffering the 'loss of concentration' too and just like you figured it was the age thing (the 50+ when your mind goes haywire age thing, lol).

Blogging certainly hasn't helped. You know...you are researching something you are writing about only to find a link to more information, then another link and another and the next thing I know, I have 10 new bookmarks and forgotten what I was looking for in the first place :P

Have a great weekend Jane T.
Lov ed the premise of this post and the pictures you used to depict your point!!!!!!Maryanne xo
Unknown said…
Wow...you are preaching to the forgetful choir here! So intrigued by this, wish I had heard it on NPR. The amount of things I find myself forgetting lately is astonishing!
Anonymous said…
Oh...how I dislike that black screen too! I finally told one wonderful blogger that I could not read her blog post (that I loved so much) anymore. She also used orange and lime green font....ack! She did change. :)
Trishia said…
I was just talking to the hubby about the 'shallow' syndrome yesterday. CNN has a news article about it. The Internet isn't the only culprit. My pet peeve has long been TV where broadcasters interrupt a movie with messages at the bottom as to what's showing next, multiple windows on news/sports stories with text scrolling across the bottom. It's ridiculous!! We need to revolt:)
La Contessa said…
WE were just speaking of that yesterday LYNN!Three woman having lunch forgetting what we are doing?!I thought it was age.....since Iam creeping up to 50 next month!The entire package cell phones,computers,texting....its going to be an interesting generation to follow.I feel no one has any manners anymore!I cannot stand to be in the grocery store listening to others problems!Why should I?!!As a society we really are putting it all out there for everyone to see...........FACEBOOK.The short not spelled correctly anwsers strike me has WOW.How sad.In touch but yet not really!Do you get what iam saying!?I best sign off now!!Elizabeth

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