Constant communications – is it good for your mind?

5 November 2010
by Claire Walker
Tags: communication, effect of technology on communication, mobile devices, unconscious state of mind

Yesterday I decided to observe people’s behaviour with communication devices over a 24 hour period. During a short lift ride from the ground to the 4^th floor with five other people,  no-one spoke or looked up from scanning their mobile devices. On the tube ride home 16 out of 18 people were scanning their devices or had earphones plugged in. On the bus all other travellers were on mobiles chatting loudly or whispering. The addiction to communication is rife, but are we allowing ourselves time to think and do people know how to behave in our completely connected world?

Thinking time is essential – we all have problems to solve from doing homework to paying the rent. It’s good to let your mind free-wheel to think through life’s problems. When doing routine things (travel, walking, waiting) and being in a unconscious state of mind, our most creative, best and deepest thoughts and ideas can flow.

This morning I went to a funeral, with a few hundred other people. I was absolutely sure to turn off my mobile, in fact I deliberately left it at home.

I am so delighted to say that over a period of 90 minutes no mobiles rang. I did not see one person scanning a device. There were no interruptions to the service other than a strimmer being used somewhere nearby.

So thankfully, in extreme circumstances, people still know when it is right to disconnect and reflect.