Babbage from The Economist (subscriber edition) Richard Cytowic: the human brain in the digital age
May 14, 2025
Richard Cytowic, a neurologist and author of "Your Stone Age Brain in the Screen Age," dives into the clash between our evolving brains and the digital age. He explores how constant notifications disrupt attention and learning, and how excessive screen time can mirror autism-like symptoms. Cytowic discusses the deterioration of genuine interactions and emphasizes the need for personal responsibility with technology, while advocating for silence as a crucial mental reset in our fast-paced world.
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Stone Age Brain Unchanged
- Human brains haven't changed significantly in the last three million years despite rapid technological advances.
- Evolution builds by adding on layers, making the brain an 'add-on house' rather than a redesigned system.
Brain’s Change Alert System
- The brain's change detection system alerts us to any change in our environment, whether threat or opportunity.
- This system evolved in a mostly stable natural environment unlike today's constantly changing digital world.
Screens Hijack Attention
- Screens constantly present changing images that our brains can't help but notice.
- The changing light, images, and movement grab our attention automatically, making avoidance effortful.