The Distracted Mind summary

We might like to imagine that we’re in full control of our behavior, but that’s far from the case.

We can’t help the way environmental stimuli cause us to respond automatically. These external stimuli are called bottom-up influences. Typically, they’re characterized by saliency, which means they are immediately noticeable to us, like, for example, when you hear someone shouting your name. Additionally, these stimuli have novelty – a dramatic and unexpected quality such as a car backfiring.

Although we can’t hold buzzing smartphones or flashing TV screens entirely responsible for distracting us, it’s nonetheless clear that modern technology has put considerable strain on our cognitive control.

More precisely, modern technologies exploit our brain’s intrinsic susceptibility to interference. They impede our performance and sidetrack us from our goals. You know the feeling: even though you’re in an important meeting you just can’t help glancing at your phone. Or maybe you totally zone out at the dinner table because the game is playing on the TV next door, and you can hear the crowd reaching fever pitch.

We’ve seen that we have hardwired responses to information. But this means we have to recognize how the current high-tech world makes it all the more easy for us to get distracted.

Specifically, there are three technologies which deliberately accentuate interference and have significantly changed societal behavior. These are the internet, smartphones and social media.

Brace yourself for this next tidbit. In 2004 in the United States, an estimated 559 people had to seek medical help after smashing into stationary objects while simultaneously texting and walking. Since then the number has surged. In 2010, the number had climbed to a whopping 1,500. And these were only the incidents serious enough to require admission to medical centers.

Why do people put themselves in constant danger because of this behavior? You would think that no phone is that important.

There are two ways to improve your cognitive control. You can either alter your brain, or you can change your behavior. In this blink, we’ll explore the former.

Don’t worry: modifying your brain does not involve using surgical tools! The brain is plastic, which means it's able to constantly change its own structure, physiology and chemistry. Consequently, many scientists think the brain’s cognitive control can be enhanced.

Cognitive-control improvements can also be achieved by modifying our behavior.

However, there’s no need to do a full-scale “digital detox” and delete Facebook or Twitter, or even cut yourself off from the internet altogether unless you feel you’re addicted.

If you ever pop your head into a social environment like a café or restaurant, then you’re sure to see people fiddling with their phones when they’re meant to be chatting with the people right in front of them.

Even in these social situations, interference seemingly can’t be avoided.