Toward a Holistic Intelligence: Life on the Other Side of the Digital Barrier

Toward a Holistic Intelligence examines how the Internet and digital devices are affecting our thought processes, working memories, attention spans, and overall intelligence, and suggests a larger intelligence based on direct insight and creative absorption to explore our world and ourselves.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 148 pages
Publication date: 09 January 2022
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Toward a Holistic Intelligence: Life on the Other Side of the Digital Barrier is a critical examination of the impact of the Internet and digital devices on human thought processes, working memories, attention spans, and overall intelligence. It explores how a larger intelligence based on direct insight and creative absorption, which are integral to people's emotive and sensorial lives, can allow for a clearer exploration of their world and themselves in a time when cognitive lives are being abrogated by the Internet and its resultant technologies.

The Internet and digital devices have become an integral part of our daily lives, providing us with access to vast amounts of information, communication, and entertainment. However, their use has come at a cost, with many people reporting negative effects on their mental health, including anxiety, depression, and addiction. One of the primary ways in which the Internet and digital devices are affecting our thought processes is through the way they are changing our working memories. Working memories are the mental processes that allow us to hold information in our minds for a short period of time while we are performing a task. The Internet and digital devices are constantly bombarding us with new information, which can overwhelm our working memories and make it difficult for us to focus on the task at hand. This can lead to decreased productivity, poor decision-making, and even accidents.

Another way in which the Internet and digital devices are affecting our thought processes is through the way they are changing our attention spans. Attention spans are the amount of time that we can focus on a task before becoming distracted. The Internet and digital devices are designed to be highly engaging, which can make it difficult for us to focus on anything else for long periods of time. This can lead to a lack of concentration, poor academic performance, and even social isolation.

In addition to these effects on our thought processes, the Internet and digital devices are also affecting our overall intelligence. Intelligence is a complex concept that includes a variety of skills, including problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity. The Internet and digital devices are providing us with access to a vast amount of information, but they are also providing us with a lot of misinformation and fake news. This can lead to a lack of understanding of the world and a lack of ability to make informed decisions.

One of the ways in which we can address these negative effects of the Internet and digital devices is by developing a larger intelligence based on direct insight and creative absorption. Direct insight is the ability to see things clearly and to understand them in a deep way. Creative absorption is the ability to be fully engaged in a task and to lose track of time. These qualities are integral to people's emotive and sensorial lives, and they can help us to explore our world and ourselves in a more meaningful way.

One way in which we can develop a larger intelligence based on direct insight and creative absorption is by practicing mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of being present at the moment and paying attention to your thoughts and feelings. It can help us to reduce stress, improve our concentration, and increase our creativity. Mindfulness can be practiced in a variety of ways, including meditation, yoga, and deep breathing.

Another way in which we can develop a larger intelligence based on direct insight and creative absorption is by engaging in creative activities. Creative activities can include writing, painting, music, and dance. These activities can help us to express ourselves and to connect with others. They can also help us to develop new skills and to improve our cognitive abilities.

In addition to these practices, we can also make changes to our environment to help us to develop a larger intelligence based on direct insight and creative absorption. For example, we can reduce the amount of time that we spend on the Internet and digital devices by setting limits on our use. We can also make sure that we are using the Internet and digital devices in a healthy way by avoiding excessive use and by taking breaks.

However, it is important to note that developing a larger intelligence based on direct insight and creative absorption is not easy. It requires a lot of practice and dedication. It is also important to be aware of the negative effects of the Internet and digital devices on our mental health and to take steps to address them.

In conclusion, Toward a Holistic Intelligence: Life on the Other Side of the Digital Barrier is a critical examination of the impact of the Internet and digital devices on human thought processes, working memories, attention spans, and overall intelligence. It explores how a larger intelligence based on direct insight and creative absorption can allow for a clearer exploration of our world and ourselves in a time when cognitive lives are being abrogated by the Internet and its resultant technologies. By practicing mindfulness, engaging in creative activities, and making changes to our environment, we can develop a larger intelligence based on direct insight and creative absorption and improve our mental health and cognitive abilities.

Weight: 200g
Dimension: 208 x 142 x 11 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781475863741