Will we eventually lose our minds

[bobcat]

I was thinking this morning about all the smart technology we have now: Smart Phones, Smart TV's, Smart Watches, Smart Appliances, self-driving or assisted driving cars, intelligent thermostats, Smart Homes, and the list just goes on and on.
I am left wondering what that effect will have on our memory and cognition. Why remember anything when there is no need. I've even heard it referred to as the "Google Effect". We have come to depend on our devices for everything (Phone numbers, appointments, maps, reminders, and a slew of others). The brain doesn't need to exercise anymore.
I get the idea that it frees up our mind to do other things, but does it, or do we just spend more time addicted to the distractions?
Now with the rise of AI, it can create music, artwork, poetry, design, evaluate, and even tell you what to make for dinner based on what's in the pantry.
I don't know a great deal about the brain, but I do know that neurons that are not used will wither away.
When we get to the point of technology doing all our thinking, it seems like we have just handed over the keys to a different driver and climbed in the back seat.
Maybe it's just another step in our evolution into whatever it is that we are becoming.

 

[hearlady]

Yes. We're not exercising our brains. I'm sure they'll be consequences.

 

[RadishRose]

Scary thought.

 

[C50]

Listen to the song In the Year 2525, all your questions will be answered.

 

[hearlady]

Well, get a puzzle out @RadishRose!

 

[Myrtle]

I was thinking this morning about all the smart technology we have now: Smart Phones, Smart TV's, Smart Watches, Smart Appliances, self-driving or assisted driving cars, intelligent thermostats, Smart Homes, and the list just goes on and on.
I am left wondering what that effect will have on our memory and cognition. Why remember anything when there is no need. I've even heard it referred to as the "Google Effect". We have come to depend on our devices for everything (Phone numbers, appointments, maps, reminders, and a slew of others). The brain doesn't need to exercise anymore.
I get the idea that it frees up our mind to do other things, but does it, or do we just spend more time addicted to the distractions?
Now with the rise of AI, it can create music, artwork, poetry, design, evaluate, and even tell you what to make for dinner based on what's in the pantry.
I don't know a great deal about the brain, but I do know that neurons that are not used will wither away.
When we get to the point of technology doing all our thinking, it seems like we have just handed over the keys to a different driver and climbed in the back seat.
Maybe it's just another step in our evolution into whatever it is that we are becoming.

Actually, I think it might be the other way around. Learning how to operate all the smart gadgets and tech that is constantly changing is good for our brains. It keeps them active. Every time an app is updated there is at least one change to absorb. Technology doesn't do all our thinking until we figure out how to make it work and that does exercise my brain as well as my patience.

But, you might have a point with phone numbers. I only remember the most important ones, family and 911.

I have no idea what AI holds for us though. Is it a disaster or will it be it's own disaster when it doesn't meet expectations?

 

[CallMeKate]

AI scares me... it really does. I think a lot of people get excited about the good it can do and are oblivious to the bad. Losing our minds? Yeah, I think so... calculators got popular and kids suddenly couldn't do basic math, or at least long division and multiplication. Keyboards/computers got popular and there went cursive writing. No one's going to know how to drive, write, do math, even things that AI's taking over like some surgeries.

 

[RadishRose]

Well, get a puzzle out @RadishRose!

I guess I'd better, hearlady!

 

[bobcat]

Yes. We're not exercising our brains. I'm sure they'll be consequences.

Yes. I don't even have to check my tires for air. A little light will appear on the dashboard to let me know. I don't even have to choose the size load in my washing machine. It just adds a little water to the load, spins it around a few times, and figures out what size it is. I swear, everything is automatic now.

 

[bobcat]

AI scares me... it really does. I think a lot of people get excited about the good it can do and are oblivious to the bad. Losing our minds? Yeah, I think so... calculators got popular and kids suddenly couldn't do basic math, or at least long division and multiplication. Keyboards/computers got popular and there went cursive writing. No one's going to know how to drive, write, do math, even things that AI's taking over like some surgeries.

Yeah, not all things that are good are good for you. Books on tape are wonderful to get someone to read to you, but how long before that skill also goes away. Watching TV with 200 channels seems like a fantastic situation, but it turns people into couch potatoes because there is always something to watch. We seldom think of the consequences, just the benefits.

 

[gruntlabor]

AI scares me... it really does. I think a lot of people get excited about the good it can do and are oblivious to the bad. Losing our minds? Yeah, I think so... calculators got popular and kids suddenly couldn't do basic math, or at least long division and multiplication. Keyboards/computers got popular and there went cursive writing. No one's going to know how to drive, write, do math, even things that AI's taking over like some surgeries.

And don't forget the possibly deadly health effects of wifi! We just don't know..

 

[Alizerine]

I was thinking this morning about all the smart technology we have now: Smart Phones, Smart TV's, Smart Watches, Smart Appliances, self-driving or assisted driving cars, intelligent thermostats, Smart Homes, and the list just goes on and on.
I am left wondering what that effect will have on our memory and cognition. Why remember anything when there is no need. I've even heard it referred to as the "Google Effect". We have come to depend on our devices for everything (Phone numbers, appointments, maps, reminders, and a slew of others). The brain doesn't need to exercise anymore.
I get the idea that it frees up our mind to do other things, but does it, or do we just spend more time addicted to the distractions?
Now with the rise of AI, it can create music, artwork, poetry, design, evaluate, and even tell you what to make for dinner based on what's in the pantry.
I don't know a great deal about the brain, but I do know that neurons that are not used will wither away.
When we get to the point of technology doing all our thinking, it seems like we have just handed over the keys to a different driver and climbed in the back seat.
Maybe it's just another step in our evolution into whatever it is that we are becoming.

Back in the 70s if I had a question that required research it would take hours to get an answer. I would walk several blocks to the bus stop, ride downtown, walk another 4 blocks to the main library, go to the second floor, consult the card catalog, select a book, take notes and reverse the process going home. Today I use Google.

 

[Marie5656]

Listen to the song In the Year 2525, all your questions will be answered.

 

[bobcat]

Listen to the song In the Year 2525, all your questions will be answered.

I had forgotten about that song. Good one. But that's even 500 years from now, and at the rate we're going, we will be ahead of schedule.

 

[bobcat]

Back in the 70s if I had a question that required research it would take hours to get an answer. I would walk several blocks to the bus stop, ride downtown, walk another 4 blocks to the main library, go to the second floor, consult the card catalog, select a book, take notes and reverse the process going home. Today I use Google.

Yeah, it's been a game changer for sure.

 

[gruntlabor]

Thank you, Marie5656, I I loved that!

 

[RadishRose]

Back in the 70s if I had a question that required research it would take hours to get an answer. I would walk several blocks to the bus stop, ride downtown, walk another 4 blocks to the main library, go to the second floor, consult the card catalog, select a book, take notes and reverse the process going home. Today I use Google.

This reminds me of my Proboscis Moth.

Saw it one afternoon feeding from one of my flowers. I didn't know what it was...to small for a hummingbird maybe, too big for an insect!

I had film in my camera fortunately, so I ran into the house, grabbed it and luckily was able to get a few shots. Then a ride to Fotomat to develop the film. Drive back to pick up the prints, then on to the library to search for the creature! (Convolvulus hawk-moth)

A big production, but it was fun actually.

 

[Gaer]

I was thinking this morning about all the smart technology we have now: Smart Phones, Smart TV's, Smart Watches, Smart Appliances, self-driving or assisted driving cars, intelligent thermostats, Smart Homes, and the list just goes on and on.
I am left wondering what that effect will have on our memory and cognition. Why remember anything when there is no need. I've even heard it referred to as the "Google Effect". We have come to depend on our devices for everything (Phone numbers, appointments, maps, reminders, and a slew of others). The brain doesn't need to exercise anymore.
I get the idea that it frees up our mind to do other things, but does it, or do we just spend more time addicted to the distractions?
Now with the rise of AI, it can create music, artwork, poetry, design, evaluate, and even tell you what to make for dinner based on what's in the pantry.
I don't know a great deal about the brain, but I do know that neurons that are not used will wither away.
When we get to the point of technology doing all our thinking, it seems like we have just handed over the keys to a different driver and climbed in the back seat.
Maybe it's just another step in our evolution into whatever it is that we are becoming.

Exactly my thinking. We will need to do nothing but sit. Like a rock. A rock is alive.
It's imperative man learn to use the mind to generate and send strong, quality, positive thought into the atmosphere.
Perhaps this will spur us toward that goal, as now our thoughts are weak, cluttered, scattered, with no significant
purpose. If we want to change the world for the better, we must change our QUALITY and STRENGTH of thought.

Our thought must always be free and uninhibited. If AI can" read" or thoughts fulfill our every need, what will be our
purpose? Activity is a necessary component to grow and evolve. This may redirect mankind to spiritual evolution though,
to explore new ways of learning and growing, as long as we can keep our individuality and independence from technology.

Give me everything or the pursuit of it, and I'll take the pursuit.

 

[hollydolly]

Actually, I think it might be the other way around. Learning how to operate all the smart gadgets and tech that is constantly changing is good for our brains. It keeps them active. Every time an app is updated there is at least one change to absorb. Technology doesn't do all our thinking until we figure out how to make it work and that does exercise my brain as well as my patience.

But, you might have a point with phone numbers. I only remember the most important ones, family and 911.

I have no idea what AI holds for us though. Is it a disaster or will it be it's own disaster when it doesn't meet expectations?

The difference is..I think..is that once you've learned to operate a smart device the first time.. it takes no brain power to use after that..so no brain cells being oiled.

 

[hollydolly]

Yes. I don't even have to check my tires for air. A little light will appear on the dashboard to let me know. I don't even have to choose the size load in my washing machine. It just adds a little water to the load, spins it around a few times, and figures out what size it is. I swear, everything is automatic now.

my daughters' car does everything for her even drives itself at some point... mine OTOH...is a very basic Ford.. the most exciting thing about it are electric heated windows..

 

[bobcat]

Actually, I think it might be the other way around. Learning how to operate all the smart gadgets and tech that is constantly changing is good for our brains. It keeps them active. Every time an app is updated there is at least one change to absorb. Technology doesn't do all our thinking until we figure out how to make it work and that does exercise my brain as well as my patience.

But, you might have a point with phone numbers. I only remember the most important ones, family and 911.

I have no idea what AI holds for us though. Is it a disaster or will it be it's own disaster when it doesn't meet expectations?

It is true that there are some things we have to learn, which is good, but the manual for most things is like "Oh hell no", I'm not gonna dedicate my whole day to this. The manual for my smart TV is not something I care to read. As long as I know how to turn it on, change channels, and adjust the volume, I'm fine, unless something gets whacky, and then I'll go to the troubleshooting section.

 

[hollydolly]

It is true that there are some things we have to learn, which is good, but the manual for most things is like "Oh hell no", I'm not gonna dedicate my whole day to this. The manual for my smart TV is not something I care to read. As long as I know how to turn it on, change channels, and adjust the volume, I'm fine, unless something gets whacky, and then I'll go to the troubleshooting section.

..or a Youtube How To Video... and tbh. since my husband's been gone ( he was the techi one )..I've had to rely heavily on the good people of Youtube to help me ...

 

[fuzzybuddy]

I don't think electronic adavnaces will turn our brains into mush. I remember when only super expensive cars had push button electric windows. Now, you can't find a car that doesn't have them, and our arms didn't wither and fall off. Yeah, electronics is removing the drudgery in our lives, that doesn't mean we will turn into watermelon heads. Does it matter, when you want to know a mathematical answer, if you use paper and pencil, or a calculator; as long as you get the right answer? There was a time 90% of the population were farmers. Today, with technology, 1.4% are farmers-feeding 6 billion. We didn't become blithering idiots when we left the farm. Instead of backbreaking work, we started making stuff, and inventing things like electronics.

 

[bobcat]

Exactly my thinking. We will need to do nothing but sit. Like a rock. A rock is alive.
It's imperative man learn to use the mind to generate and send strong, quality, positive thought into the atmosphere.
Perhaps this will spur us toward that goal, as now our thoughts are weak, cluttered, scattered, with no significant
purpose. If we want to change the world for the better, we must change our QUALITY and STRENGTH of thought.

Our thought must always be free and uninhibited. If AI can" read" or thoughts fulfill our every need, what will be our
purpose? Activity is a necessary component to grow and evolve. This may redirect mankind to spiritual evolution though,
to explore new ways of learning and growing, as long as we can keep our individuality and independence from technology.

Give me everything or the pursuit of it, and I'll take the pursuit.

Nice thoughts, but it doesn't appear that we are keeping our individuality and independence from technology. We seem to be becoming more dependent.

 

[bobcat]

..or a Youtube How To Video... and tbh. since my husband's been gone ( he was the techi one )..I've had to rely heavily on the good people of Youtube to help me ...

I know. It has rescued me as well a few times. There are certainly good things about technology. It's just that things are getting more complex and at some point, you just give up. I used to be able to take a car engine apart and rebuild it. Now there is so much technology in the way (Sensors and electronics), and so much electronic hardware involved (Electronic Control Unit that monitors everything), that I wouldn't even attempt it anymore.