Arianne Najah Thakur BSTM November 18, 2023

09 Review 1

1. What was the speaker’s project/idea?

The speaker’s project/idea was how important boredom is in creating the most brilliant
ideas. She called it “Bored and Brilliant”. She came up with these challenges every day focusing
on slowly letting go of phones for a while so we can “space out” and think deeper about our
lives. It encourages them to be able to study their decisions and actions overall.

2. How did the speaker come up with the idea?

The speaker, a former journalist turned mother, reflects on the impact of technology on
her life and creativity. Initially, she felt bored and unproductive while taking care of her colicky
baby, but eventually found inspiration during long walks pushing the stroller. However, as
technology took over, she struggled to come up with new ideas and realized the importance of
boredom in allowing the brain to make connections and solve problems.

3. Was her project informative? List down all the information you learned from her TED talk.

Importance of boredom

 Boredom ignites a brain network called the "default mode"

 In the default mode, our brain makes connections, solves problems, and plans

The impact of technology

 We now fill our spare moments with phone time, multitasking, and getting things done
 Neuroscientist Dr. Daniel Levitin suggests that we're not truly productive, but merely shifting our
attention.

Neurochemical switch and multitasking

 The brain engages in a neurochemical switch when switching from one task to another.
 This switch uses up nutrients in the brain.
 When attempting to multitask, the brain rapidly shifts from one task to another, depleting
neural resources.

Attention and task switching

  A decade ago, people shifted their attention at work every three minutes, but now it is every 45
seconds.
 The average person checks email 74 times a day and switches tasks on their computer 566 times
a day.
 Stress leads to more rapid attention shifting.
 Lack of sleep increases the likelihood of checking Facebook.

Breaking the cycle and reclaiming attention

 "Bored and Brilliant" project aimed at reclaiming attention and improving creativity.
 Many people signed up because they felt their relationship with their phone had become
"codependent".
 Apps were used to measure phone usage during challenge week.
 Participants observed their own behavior and found it concerning.

Challenge Week

 Instructions for day one of challenge week: "Put it in your pocket" and eliminate the reflex to
check the phone all day.
 Participants found it difficult to resist checking their phone, even during simple activities like
walking or being in the car.

Effects of technology on attention

 The behavior triggered by technology is not the user's fault.

 Companies like Facebook, Netflix, and Snapchat have engineers dedicated to gaining more
attention from users.
 There is a war to capture users' attention.

Value of users' attention

 Users' attention is worth a lot of money.

 Attention is treated as a product by companies.
 Ads on platforms like Facebook are sold through real-time auctions.

Challenges during "Delete that app" week

  Participants found deleting their favorite app to be a difficult challenge.
 Some felt emotional and lonely without notifications on their lock screen.
 Others realized their addiction to social media and expressed the need for structured use.
 Participants experienced positive effects like feeling less guilty about wasting time on their
phones.

Effects of reducing phone usage

 Despite only reducing phone usage by six minutes on average, people felt empowered and their
phones transformed from taskmasters to tools.
 Some people reported feeling emotions they had never experienced before due to a lack of
connectivity and constant stimulation.
 Research suggests that excessive use of social media can hinder creativity, imagination, and
problem-solving skills in teenagers.

Positive outcomes of the "Bored and Brilliant" challenge

 20,000 people participated in the challenge, with 90% successfully reducing their phone usage.
 70% of participants reported having more time to think and felt happier.
 Improved sleep quality and feeling a sense of waking up from a mental hibernation were
commonly reported.

Importance of teaching digital literacy and self-regulation

 Constant connectivity may lose its appeal in the future, but for now, it is crucial to teach people,
especially children, how to use technology to improve their lives and self-regulate.
 When using technology, it is essential to decide how it will be used rather than letting the
platforms dictate usage.

Embracing boredom for increased productivity and creativity

 Pausing and allowing for moments of boredom can lead to increased productivity and creativity.
 By doing nothing, one can tap into their most productive and creative self.
 Initial discomfort may be felt, but boredom can truly lead to brilliance.

4. How frequently do you use your phone? Can you see yourself doing the speaker’s challenge?
Why?
 I can say that I use my phone almost 16 hours a day. Yes, I can see myself doing the speaker’s
challenge. This is because I want to be able to improve myself. I want to have the opportunity to be
creative and think about my decisions and what can I do more. And, possibly, with this I can really do
more. It’s a helpful challenge that gives us a new chance. It will make us see a new perspective and
can have a big impact in our lives since our phones did that already. We are just reversing the
damage that technology has caused us.

5. What are the possible implications of multitasking? Do we finish more, or do we complete

fewer tasks than focusing on one (1) task at a time?
The possible implications of multitasking are that we actually complete fewer tasks than
if we focus on one task at a time, as the brain has to constantly switch between tasks, depleting
neural resources and reducing overall efficiency. Furthermore, multitasking can lead to increased
stress levels and a sense of being overwhelmed, as we try to juggle multiple responsibilities
simultaneously. This can also negatively impact our ability to retain information and make
accurate decisions, as our attention is divided. In today's fast-paced world, the pressure to
multitask is often high, but it's important to recognize the potential drawbacks and prioritize
focusing on one task at a time when possible. By doing so, we can improve our productivity and
reduce the negative effects of multitasking on our well-being.

6. According to the search engineer at Google, why is the technology built to trigger social media
users an itchy feeling if they are not with their phones?

The technology is built to trigger an itchy feeling if users are not with their phones
because companies want to capture and retain users' attention, as users' attention is valuable
and treated as a product. This technology is just one example of the ways in which companies
are trying to keep users engaged with their devices. While it may seem harmless, it's important
to consider the potential long-term effects of constantly being connected to our phones. Studies
have shown that excessive phone use can lead to negative impacts on mental health, such as
increased anxiety and depression. Additionally, it's important to consider the impact on our
relationships and social interactions when our attention is constantly focused on a screen. As
technology continues to advance, it's up to us as individuals to be mindful of our usage and to
prioritize our well-being over the constant need for stimulation.