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Adaptation To Change
The Information Age, 1970-present, shifted the requirements for thinking, from the old, linear style of thinking where decision-making was based on fixed beliefs, rules, and opinions passed down generationally from adult to child as a “this is how it has always been done” way of thinking.
At the beginning of the digital revolution requirements for the cognitive processing of information suddenly underwent a transformational, epigenetic change, now requiring the capacity to be able to pay attention and make decisions on a multiplicity of fluid streams of information merging together at the same time.
Initially, the transformation from the Industrial Revolution into the Information Age was incremental, with many jobs still available for people who were not technology savvy and processed information in an unreflective or automatic way of thinking.
Changing mental processes is not possible for everyone. As we are observing now, the economy is becoming more mechanized and computerized, affecting everyone. In rural America as well as other locations in the country that have relied on linear thinking jobs to support large populations of the state work opportunities, such as working in coal mines or in factory jobs, jobs are dwindling away because of the technology era.
As part of the uncertainty in the world environment, changes in behavior that are influenced by neurophysiological changes are being seen. Reliance on predictability has generated a change in the ability of individuals and children to be able to pay attention.
The average individual is only able to sustain attention on one target or task for an average of eight seconds, before they become mentally distracted and shift their focus and thinking to something else to alter their mood. Interestingly, the attention span has decreased in humans from an average of 22 seconds, to the same length of time that a goldfish can pay attention to a target; namely eight seconds.
Neuroscience has demonstrated in brain imaging studies, that the use of technology, (Facebook, etc.) or other behavioral habits stimulates a chemical high in the same brain processes as seen in individuals who are preparing to use heroin. This constitutes a behavioral addiction.
Whether it is an adult getting on their phone to distract themselves from boredom, or children and adults with technology, we all use behaviors or substances that are influenced by the pressures in every day life that we distract ourselves from by behaviors or substances.
To address these habits of shallow unconscious thinking;
• Learn to keep your attention fixed in the present moment before you shift your attention or start thinking in words to self-comfort.
•Use active listening, where you are completely engaged in what the other person is saying.
• Accept that changing times mean “that is the way we have always done it” leaves you beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.
