Distractedness: Part of Being Human

I advise people that we seek distractions, and I am learning it’s a natural part of being human.  In The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains, Nicholas Carr writes, “the natural state of the human brain, like that of the brains of most of our relatives in the animal kingdom, is one of distractedness.  He goes on to say that we are predisposed to shift our gaze and our attention from one object to another.   Any change attracts us.  That’s good if we’re surrounded by saber tooth tigers because a reaction is necessary.

It may not be as good if we need to pay attention to one task and something else attracts us.  The book’s premise is that the constant availability of distractions(internet, personal electronic devices) affects our brains.  It’s like having thousands of interruptions constantly seeking and getting our attention.

There’s an example occurring with me right now.  I have Google Gadgets on my desktop and pictures from my files are changing all the time.  Every time a new picture surfaces, it gets my attention and the fact is I like seeing them!  But it affects my concentration and my brain.

Posted March 8th, 2011 in Human Factors, Observations

Meeting Volker: A Good Way to Begin 2011

My wife asked me to buy some gifts for some of our friends.  We’re in Heidelberg, Germany and had just finished an excellent lunch at Vetter’s.  I noticed a small shop across the street and walked in.  The proprietor greeted me in German, but switched to English when I said, “Hello.”   He was friendly and soon began telling stories about the cloth bags, pillows, and other items that were filled with lavender.  We had such a good time talking with one another that I was very glad for this chance encounter.   2010 was a year filled with many opportunities to meet people from around the USA and around the world.

It’s a good way to begin 2011 by meeting Volker Rother on January 1.    If you would like to have a good year, be open to meeting new people and appreciating them for who they are, wherever they are.   Have  a wonderful year, Volker!

Posted January 1st, 2011 in Human Factors, Observations

Memorial to Fallen Logger(Times Have Changed)

Last week I hiked through the Partnach Gorge in Bavarian Germany.   Commercial logging took place there from the 1700s to the late 1800s.  Several loggers lost their lives.  There is a memorial with a separate marker for each logger.  This gentleman evidently plummeted into the river from one of the rock formations.  It reminded me that commercial logging is still a dangerous profession.  I guess that is why Axe Men and Swamp Loggers are popular.  They are on BBC with a British narrator which sounds unusual to someone from the southern USA.

It also reminded me how much the emphasis on safety in all hazardous industries has increased through the years.  Sometimes we question if all the regulations and practices are necessary.  They cost time and money, and the regulatory burden is great!   Perhaps a better mindset would be that our responsibilities for public and employee safety are great.  If we accept those responsibilities, then we might avoid memorials for people who lose their lives as a result of our operations.

Posted December 31st, 2010 in Human Factors, Leadership, Observations