This weeks readings seem to focus on whether the internet and mobile technology are good for communities or not. Of course there are those who support each side, but it seems apparent to me that it is how we decide to use the technology that makes it beneficial or detrimental to our communities.

With this is mind, I recalled a new story I had read in the past about something is is not quite as subjective. The fact that the internet and mobile technology is changing the way our brains operate. Of course, everything we do changes our brain, but the persistent use of the internet and mobile phones are the cause of some concern. Some feel that the internet is lowering our attention span and giving us constant interruption. These and similar concerns are definitely not unwarranted, as studies are showing substantial brain chances for those who are use the internet, especially from mobile devices. One interesting one is how internet addiction parallels cocaine. I'm sure we all know (or at least can think of the stereotypical idea of) someone who discovers the internet and becomes a hermit in their room. Mobile users are even worse. I know many people who cannot go through a normal day (heck, even an hour!) without their mobile phone. On a side note, I always wondered what people who act like this think is so important that they need their phones 24/7, since from my experience these people are the most likely to be using it for not much more than entertainment, social networking, and texting friends. Is this level of dependance on the internet and social interaction even healthy?

It is easy to criticize our our society's dependance on the internet, mobile phones, and computers in general. However, as this article alludes to near the end, I feel this isn't as much of a problem as we think it is. All of this technology is new, and we are still in a period of neurological adjustment. Eventually, most likely starting with the current or shortly upcoming generations, most American children will have access to the internet and mobile devices from a very young age. This exposure will definitely cause a change in their brains. However, the brain changes whenever a person does anything, such as learning an instrument or making a cup of coffee. Brain changes are merely a way of adapting to our varying environment. As we learn to become more dependent on technology for quick communication and computation, we will be free to manage multiple tasks at once and handle the less concrete aspects of life. Giving us more time to focus on creativity, ingenuity, and task management - including managing our social life - is not a bad thing. The same changes in our brain can be seen whenever there is a major invention that allows us to overcome a repetitive, meticulous, or hard task. Look at how our work and lifestyles changed after farm equipment, the engine, and the telephone were invented. Our brains are changing, most definitely, but it is something we should embrace.

Not to say that we do need to know when enough is enough. We don't drive 24/7 and we don't talk on the telephone 24/7. There needs to be time for physical personal interaction, physical activity, "alone time," and the likes. Hopefully we will find a happy medium with this new technology and use it to enhance our lives instead of engulf them.