Public Libraries of Suffolk County, New York

I-Minds 2.0, how and why constant connectivity is rewiring our brains and what to do about it, Mari K. Swingle, PhD

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 499-522) and index

index present

non fiction

I-Minds 2.0

Mari K. Swingle, PhD

how and why constant connectivity is rewiring our brains and what to do about it

The way we use i-technology is affecting our health and happiness. While programs, devices, information, and constant connectivity can offer us ease, liberation, and efficiency, they can also rewire our brains to feel restless, disconnected, unable to sleep, anxious, and depressed, with new illnesses like FOMO (fear of missing out), and electro sensitivities appearing. This fully revised and updated second edition of i-Minds comprehensively explores an era of screen-based technology's assimilation into our lives, pondering it as both godsend and plague. Addressing theory, popular media, and industry hype, it demonstrates how constant connectivity is changing our brains, the dangers of unchecked connectivity, and positive steps to embrace new technologies while protecting our well-being and steering our future in a more human direction. This is a must-read for anyone interested in fostering health and happiness, or who is struggling with the role of screened technology in our lives

1: How and why. The shift -- Technological integration versus technological interference -- The pull -- The power of sound: history and biology -- The biological science — what's really going on in our brains? -- Boxed in —anxiety in the masses -- From digital natives to i-kids -- The story of alpha -- The narrowing of minds -- 2: Process and development. Of systems and process -- Back to biology: epigenetics and vestibular regulation -- From i-kids to i-brains -- Learning, playing, parenting — conflicting needs in a busy, busy world -- Socialization — Child's play -- 3: Education, games, power, and politics. The good, the bad, and the neutral -- Of games and gaming -- The good, the bad, and the ugly — esports and the business of gaming -- Beyond illusions — spatial planning, arbitrary learning, and geolocation skills -- Breaking the trance -- i-tech and heathcare — to care or i-care -- 4: Trust, governance, and the attention economy. i-trust and i-privacy — social, economic, and political manipulation -- Governance part one — self governance and the attention economy -- Governance part two — crossing the floor and the perils of protection -- The attention economy -- Governance and safety — electromagnetic explorations -- 5: The interpersonal. Communituy, communication, digital mediation, and friendship -- Sex and sexuality Part A—adult play -- Sex and sexuality Part B—brain wiring and the death of intimacy -- Sex and sexuality Part C — from children to elders, communication, and lifestyle solutions -- Benefactors of change -- i-addiction and i-life — the beginnings of a new world -- The tipping point -- Our future our selves -- Epilogue: So what to do?

adult