I wrote recently about how paper extends our minds, and how that related to a book I was reading just now, Being There, by Andy Clark (review coming soon), and then along comes this article in the NY Times. OK, it’s pretty tongue-in-cheek, but funny how I should happen across it when I’m just reading about the extended mind concept. How often that kind of thing happens! Seems more than just a paying attention phenomenon. David Brooks, who wrote the opinion piece for the NY Times gives many examples of how he’s given up functions of his mind to technology – from becoming unable to navigate in his car without satnav, to being unable to remember anybody’s phone number ‘cos all his contacts numbers are in his smartphone, to following recommendations from TiVo, Amazon and iTunes for his entertainment.
He’s got a point though. We really are extending our minds by using technology this way. I heard a discussion on Radio Scotland this morning about the spread of broadband and the constant demand for faster and faster connections, and one of the interviewees said that he recently moved house and was without broadband for a couple of days and couldn’t believe just how disconnected and paralysed he felt. I’ve had that experience too. Being connected to the net is becoming an increasingly important part of the way my mind functions – from knowledge seeking, to memory stores, to inspiration and the making of new friends. I love it I must say, and Brooks’ view that we are losing function in the process is not something I share. I don’t care that I don’t know anybody’s phone numbers any more – that’s what the contact list is for! I don’t need to clutter up my brain with that! And I love how Web 2.0 tools help me find things I’m interested and and serves up so many fascinating, amusing and moving sites which stimulate my thinking and extend my networks and my mind.
What do you think? Are you enjoying extending your mind out beyond your personal brain? I guess if you don’t like it you don’t have to do it after all!
Heroes Not Zombies 
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