Author Vybarr Cregan-Reid and Columbia University researcher Keith Diaz discuss how economic eras have shaped the human body. They explore the impact of technology on physical and mental health, the evolution of human biology through labor practices, and the negative effects of prolonged sitting on health. Listeners are challenged to end the cycle of type, tap, collapse together.
Historical understanding of animal electricity from Galvani to Volta's battery invention.
Importance of regular movement breaks to combat negative effects of sedentary lifestyles influenced by technology.
Deep dives
Discovery of Animal Electricity
Luigi Galvani's experiments with dissected animals, particularly frogs, led to the hypothesis of animal electricity, believing that animals store electricity in their cells like a battery. However, Alessandro Volta's rigorous experiments showed that the frog's muscle contractions were caused by a circuit between different metals, leading to the invention of the battery.
Impact of Technology on Body Health
Modern sedentary lifestyles, heavily influenced by technology use, have detrimental effects on our health. Spending long hours attached to devices can lead to physical discomfort, fatigue, and decreased movement. With technology affecting nearly 85% of jobs that are mostly sedentary, the need to find a balance between technology use and physical activity becomes crucial.
Research on Movement Breaks
Research conducted by Keith Diaz highlights the importance of regular movement breaks to counteract the negative effects of prolonged sitting. The study found that incorporating light walking for five minutes every half hour significantly reduced blood sugar spikes and blood pressure. Implementing short movement breaks can lead to increased energy levels, improved mood, and enhanced productivity.
In this special series, host Manoush Zomorodi investigates the relationship between our technology and our bodies and asks: How are we physically adapting to meet the demands of the Information Age? Why do so many of us feel utterly drained after a day spent attached to our devices?
Part one kicks off with an exploration into how economic eras have shaped the human body in the past with author Vybarr Cregan-Reid. Then, Columbia University researcher and exercise physiologist Keith Diaz and Manoush discuss his findings and propose a challenge to listeners: Let's see if we can end this cycle of type, tap, collapse together.
Click here to find out more about the project: npr.org/bodyelectric
Talk to us on Instagram @ManoushZ, or record a voice memo and email it to us at BodyElectric@npr.org.