We increasingly rely on social media to talk to friends, GPS to navigate and the web for information. But, asks Jo Carlowe, is that wise?
So what’s really happening? The first thing to consider is that this kind of ‘neuro-anxiety’ about the tools we use is nothing new. In 370 BC, Plato warned that the Greeks’ “trust in writing” would “discourage the use of their own memory”. Sound familiar?
The reality is that our brains do change when we use a smartphone or computer – but they also change when we use a pen, a screwdriver, or any other tool for that matter. They change when we mow the lawn, play golf or cook dinner. Our experiences continually shape the way the brain works. So the question isn’t really “is tech rewiring our brains?’ but ‘how are our brains adapting to living in today’s screen-first, always-online, networked world?”
Scientifically speaking, we’re a long way from definitive answers, but we looked at the latest research and talked to leading experts in their fields to discover how they think our collective brains are being affected...
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Denne historien er fra February 2017-utgaven av BBC Knowledge.
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Are We Close To Making Our Home Away From Earth?
Our exploration of the cosmos is hampered by our bodies and minds, which struggle in space. So could we ever overcome our Biology and settle among the stars?
The Viruses That Made Us Human
Viruses give us infections, from the common cold to Ebola and Aids. But new research shows that they may also have played a key role in shaping the evolution of homo sapiens.
Can You Supercharge Your Brain?
Your brain is the finely-tuned machine that controls all your actions and emotions, so it makes sense to keep it well-oiled. But, asks Rita Carter, are there any scientifically proven methods to ensure it works better for longer?
The Yaksha's Quiz
One day, a man approached the Pandavas while they were in exile in the forest.
Are Dogs Making Us Healthy Too?
While we know our furry friends are brilliant companions, Dr John Bradshaw finds out if they could actually be making us healthier too.
Welcome to the Jungle
As our cities grow, animals are having to carve out a niche in this most human of habitats. Fredi Devas, producer of the urban episode of Planet Earth II, spent four years getting to know these metropolitan pioneers.
How Should History Remember Fidel Castro?
To many, he was a heroic champion of the disenfranchised; to others, a cruel tyrant. Following Fidel Castro’s death in November 2016, we asked five historians to offer their verdicts on the Cuban leader’s life and legacy.
Ismat Chughtai
Author and historian Urvashi Butalia details the life and words of a feminist powerhouse.
NASA's Compact Nuclear Reactors Could Power Colonies On Mars
IF humans are ever to build colonies on the Moon or on Mars, we are going to need a reliable way of powering essentials such as lighting, water and oxygen supply – not to mention a means of producing fuel for the long schlep home.
Acoustic Tractor Beam Breakthrough Could Lead To Levitating Humans
HERE’S an idea that is really gaining traction: for the first time, University of Bristol engineers have created an acoustic tractor beam capable of trapping objects larger than the wavelength of the sound being used.