Self-control: The Secret of Success

Lehrer, Jonah. “Don't! The secret of self-control .” The New Yorker. Condé Nast Digital, 18 May 2010. Web. 4 March 2010.
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In his article,"Don't! The Secret of Self Control", Jonah Lehrer describes the experiments and observations of Walter Mischel. Mischel was a professor at Stanford University who led experiments in the late nineteen-sixties involving marshmellows to test children's ability to delay gratification. He and his colleagues continued to follow the progress of the young people through their thirties and concluded that the ability of a four-year-old to delay gratification is directly related to how successful he will be socially and intellectually as an adult. They conducted follow-up experiments which all pointed to the same conclusion, that self-control is more important than intelligence in determining how successful one is. The ultimate goal of Mischel and his colleagues is to "identify the particular brain regions that allow some people to delay gratification and control temper." They are also searching for "the hereditary characteristics that influence the ability to wait for a second marshmellow."

Jonah Lehrer writes from the point of view of a journalist reporting on important research that is being done in the area of psychology. Mischel's findings are significant and are having an impact on the way some parents and schools are training children. Mischel provides tricks for working with children that will help develop their ability to delay gratification and, as a result, improve their chance at a successful future. Lesson plans are being used in some schools that are based on his findings Mischel challenges parents to practice rituals at home that will help children develop the habit of being able to delay gratification. "According to Mischel, even the most mundane routines of childhood—such as not snacking before dinner, or saving up your allowance, or holding out until Christmas morning—are really sly exercises in cognitive training: we’re teaching ourselves how to think so that we can outsmart our desires." These are easy rituals to for anyone to incorporate and could help give children the tools they need to be successful.

Computers and the Big Bang?

Stephanson, Neal. "In the Beginning was the Command Line" . 1999. Web. February 2010.
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The article,"In The Beginning Was The Command Line" by Neal Stephenson, was written in 2000 from the point of view of a man who, not only used, but also programmed Macintoshes, Window machines, Linux boxes, and the BeOS. In referring to the evolution of computer operating systems, Stephenson asks,"What is going on here? Does the operating systems business have a future or only a past?" He proceeds to give a history of the various operating systems, describing their features, similarities and differences. He makes the point that the business is very unstable and power can shift from one company to another quickly. He also demonstrates the romantic power of " image" by pointing out that, even though Linux and other software products are free, people's brains are programmed to want the Microsoft products. Stephenson's implied answer to his question, "Does the operating system business have a future or only a past?", is that, while the dominance of companies may change, the development of operating systems constantly becomes more complex and provides more and more features for the users. Computer operating systems are here to stay.

To support his conclusion that the principles behind computer operating systems are here to stay, Stephenson refers to a book by Lee Smolin called The Life of the Cosmos. Smolin talks about how the universe came into being. According to him, computational principles were involved in the very origin of the universe. All of the numbers had to line up perfectly in order for a universe to form that could support life. "If these values had been only slightly different, the universe would have been a vast ocean of tepid gas or a hot knot of plasma, or some other uninteresting thing...a dud." Smolin claims that there had to be an outside force that calculated the numbers and pressed the "Enter" button to cause the Big Bang and bring everything into being. He says it is evident that "the Cosmic operating system uses a command-line interface". Neal Stephenson's reference to Lee Smolin's book about the beginning of the universe and its relationship with computational principles explains the title of his article, "In The Beginning Was the Command Line."

Brainy Babies?

Quart, Allissa. "Extreme Parenting?" The Atlantic Wire. The Atlantic Monthly. July/August 2008. Web. February 2009.
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In her article, "Extreme Parenting", Allissa Quart focuses on a trend that has developed since the 1990's. Parents are being pressured more and more to try to develop "gifted" children by using educational videos like Baby Einstien to stimulate them at a very early age. Quart describes numerous videos and learning systems that are being marketed to parents.The developers of videos like these point to a study by Shaw and Rauscher which showed that adults performed tasks better after listening to Mozart. Product developers claim that babies will develop higher IQ's as a result of watching their videos and using their flashcards. They also claim that there is a small window of opportunity and if parents don't provide their babies with these videos at a very early age, it will be too late. Quart points out that the results of the Shaw and Rauscher study have not been successfully duplicated and there is no proof that the "Mozart Effect" works on young children. She poses the question, " Whose purpose do these types of early education products serve?" After quoting the makers pitching their products, Quart quotes other experts with opposing ideas. The neurologists, cognitive scientists, psychologists and child development specialists she interviewed did not think these products were valuable. They questioned not only the "window of opportunity" idea, but they also said that the videos could actually be damaging. Too much stimulation is not good. There is value in boredom for the development of a child's ability to think. These products can also cause children to be too television oriented and take away from their valuable outdoor playtime.

Allissa Quart says that even though there is not much evidence of any real value in educational videos for babies, it is understandable that parents would buy them. She points out that parents want to do anything and everything that will help their children get ahead in life. If they are told that these videos will raise their child's IQ and that they only have a short period of time to have an impact, many parents will ignore the lack of evidence. Most of these educational systems are fairly expensive and Quart points out that the children who use these products are usually from fairly affluent families. In many cases. competitive parents are hoping the videos and flashcards will give their children an advantage over other children in society. To answer Quart's question, "Whose purpose do these products serve?', she seems to imply that it is not the babies who will benefit, but the companies who make the products and the parents who want to feel like they are doing everything they can to give their children an advantage in life. She believes that the development of and demand for "edutainment" products is just getting started.

Internet Idiots?

Carr, Nicholas. "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" The Atlantic. The Atlantic Magazine. July/August 2008. Web. February 2009.
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In his article, "Is Google Making Us Stupid?", Nicholas Carr makes the argument that, even though the internet provides the advantage of immediate access to a wealth of information, that advantage comes with a heavy price. He writes from the viewpoint of a professional writer and avid reader who claims that, as a result of Internet usage, now has difficulty concentrating, contemplating, or reading anything lengthy. He helps make his point by using the analogy of Hal in "2001, A Space Odyssey". Just as Hal felt forlorn as he said, "Dave, my mind is going. I can feel it. I can feel it. I'm afraid," Carr claims to feel a sense of loss as he feels his brain circuitry changing. He also uses the analogy of a scuba diver who used to dive deeply into a "sea of words" but now just zips along the surface on a Jet Ski. Carr points out that he is not the only one noticing this effect of Internet usage on brain function. He strengthens his argument by quoting other writers, citing a University College London study, and quoting a developmental psychologist who has authored a book on the subject. He also points out parallels to other inventions that have had an impact on the way people think. Carr promotes the idea that, while there are great advantages to being able to jump from source to source for information on the Internet, there are also significant consequences.

The point that the author makes is important to consider because the stakes are high and the effects dramatic if his observations, research and conclusions are correct. Almost everyone uses the Internet and people should be aware of the possible cost to their brain functions. As the author points out, so much has been written about the Internet, but very little attention has been given to the risks of its usage. As a professional writer, avid reader and one who has done extensive research, Carr's voice should be heard. "Even though we are reading more than we did in the 70's and 80's, it is a different kind of reading and behind it lies a different kind of thinking." He adds, "Our ability to interpret text, to make the rich mental connections that form when we read deeply and without distraction, remains largely disengaged." Carr's implied challenge to the audience is to wake up to the downside of Internet usage before "our own intelligence flattens into artificial intelligence." He does not provide any suggestions as to how to fight the negative effects, but, after reading the article, one is left with the feeling that it is important to balance time on the internet with time reading and contemplating on a more in-depth level in order to retain the ability to do so.

Robot vs. Human Care

Groopman, Jerome. "Robots That Care: Advances in Technological Therapy" The New Yorker. The New Yorker, November 2009. Web. Jan. 2010
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In his article, "Robots That Care: Advances in Technological Therapy", Jerome Groopman describes the developments that are being made by computer scientist Maja Mataric and her team in the area of socially interactive robots. Groopman promotes the benefits of using robots in the treatment of Alzheimer's, stroke and autistic patients. His arguments in favor of the robots include the fact that, since Medicare is limited, robots are practical. Each is a one-time investment and can be used over and over again with different patients. The studies he sites also show that patients are more likely to be motivated to do a task when encouraged by a robot as opposed to a computer screen. Groopman describes studies that show other benefits including the fact that people don't mind being directed by a robot as much as they do a person, robots can be programmed to have a certain temperament depending on the patient, robots behavior can be customized to change with the patient's mood, and robots allow for greater privacy for the patient. Autistic children respond well to robots because robots can consistently be repetitive without getting frustrated. The children can also direct the robots and in most children this gives them the rare feeling of control.

It is important to consider Groopman's point of view about the use of socially interactive robots with patients because the impact of that use on the lives of Alzheimer, stroke and autistic patients could be life-changing for many people. A six month long study showed dramatic results in the cognitive and physical abilities of the patients. While most of the article is spent explaining the promising possibilities of this use of robots, Groopman does challenge the audience to think by pointing out the risks of the use of socially interactive robots with vulnerable patients. He quotes Shay Turkle, a professor at MIT, who expresses concerns about the drawbacks. She says that the patients actually start to relate to and care for the robots and can begin to expect that care to be returned, distorting the concept of meaningful relationships. Also, some patients say they like the robots because they "can't trust real people." What if the patient starts to relate to the robot as a "grandchild" or companion and then has it taken away? Groopman points out that Maja Mataric, the computer scientist directing the research, is aware of the dangers and is working with those in mind. She acknowledges that this kind of therapy is a "great social experiment with real risks." Do the benefits outweigh the risks?

Are Americans In Denial?

Berry, Wendell. “Faustian Economics: Hell Hath No Limits.” Harper’s Magazine. The Harper's Magazine Foundation, May 2008. Web. 31 Dec. 2009.
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We as Americans have developed the idea that our way of life is “indestructible,” and that, whatever our problem is, science and technology will provide a solution. That is the observation of Wendell Berry, author of “Faustian Economics: Hell Hath No Limits”. He points out that, even though we are becoming aware that our access to fossil fuel could come to an end, we refuse to change our consuming behavior. Instead, we put our faith in science and technology to come up with an answer. Berry says that this way of thinking comes from the fact that Americans live in the fantasy of “presumed limitlessness”. That fantasy applies not only to possessions, but also to knowledge, science, technology and progress. In our selfish limitlessness, we have redefined freedom as ”escape from all restraint.” One negative result is that we have lost the concept of self imposed limits that define us as humans such as kindness, friendship, loyalty and love, and that contribute to the good of the community. He uses literary references about Satan and Faustus to make his point. Berry points out that the idea that we are limitless is a fantasy because we are limited to this one earth. He says that this constraint is a healthy thing.

The author’s point of view is important because the attitude of “limitlessness” could affect the future of the human race and our planet. Berry’s challenge to his audience is to look not just to science and technology for solutions, but also to our cultural heritage including religion. “Religion dismisses selfishness.” The Declaration of Independence wisely defines us as having a Creator who gives certain rights to all, thus preventing us from becoming “monstrous” in our treatment of each other. Berry also challenges his audience to look to the arts where works are confined to the limits of canvas, stage, time-constraints, etc. We should focus on “the art of living”, recognizing limits and making the most of what we have.

Texting and Its Effects

Whether we notice it or not, technology is rapidly changing our culture. Texting particularly has caught my attention because of the effect it has on people. While there are many positive aspects of texting such as the fact that it provides a convenient way for one to keep tabs on one's family members or friends, I think that there are also many downsides. In addition to the highly publicized statistic that texting while driving is the leading cause of traffic accidents, there are also other negative consequences. Teachers, brace yourselves, students often text in class. This means they are not paying attention to the lesson at hand and studies have shown that students who text in class are developing short attention spans. Texting is also changing the way we interact with one another. I personally know many teenagers who rely on texting for the majority of their communication. This practice is causing them to lose the skill of talking to someone face to face comfortably. When interacting with people in person, they lack confidence and often feel awkward. Texting is even replacing the original purpose of the phone; calling someone. Just calling someone has become foreign to many people. Talking on the phone is now viewed as something one does to show more affection or intimacy. Texting brings up many issues of the many ways technology is affecting our culture; and it is having a significant impact.

My four brothers and I have a constant debate with my parents about whether or not we should be allowed texting. My siblings and I are pro texting and my parents, unfortunately, are anti-texting. At first, my father’s main concern was financially having to pay sixty more dollars each month. He stressed that in this economy, any unnecessary spending should be cut. Now, in light of the recent news reports of all the traffic accidents being caused by drivers texting, his additional reason is that he is afraid we would text and drive. Even though we constantly promise we will not drive and text, my father is not being persuaded. I am interested in looking into the facts about texting in order to determine whether or not my father is right that the costs and risks of texting outweigh the benefits. This subject is also of interest to me because, even though I am an outsider to the texting world, the practice of texting is rampant among all of the people around me on a day-to-day basis. Communicating through text messages has become a way of life to them. It is interesting to see how this habit affects their social skills when they have to communicate face to face. It is concerning and a little aggravating to experience the awkwardness it can cause.