Can 2 Much Txt Make U Dumb?

Source: www.160charcters.org

The abuse of “always-on” technology has led to a state of “Info-Mania” where workers are literally addicted to checking email and text messages during meetings, in the evening and at weekends according to study on behalf of HP. The study concludes that although mobile technology can offer significant productivity benefits when used responsibly, but it seems many users are unable to resist the urge to constantly check their electronic messages that can result in you being more being more of a dope that from smokimg dope.

The research, completed in March 2005 by TNS and commissioned on behalf of Hewlett Packard, reveals that 62% of adults are addicted to checking messages out of office hours and whilst on holiday. Half of workers will respond to an email immediately or within 60 minutes, and one in five people are “happy” to interrupt a business or social meeting to respond to an email or telephone message.

The days of carrying a clipboard and walking purposively it seems are over. Today's up and thrusting executive who wants to look so important that he is constantly replying to vital messages, has a bewildering range of electronic messaging channels to choose from.

Once the addiction to checking messages takes hold, enourmous amounts of time can be taken up just checking all the various sources of messages - SMS, Blackberry emails, laptop emails, various flavours of IM on mobile phone, Blackberry, and laptop and so on.

One lawyer who declined to be named realised that things had gone too far when he was taking his Blackberry to bed and reading emails in the middle of the night. When his wife kept being woken from the screen glow he was forced to choose between the his Blackberry or the matrimonal bed. The Blackberry now languishes in the office drawer.

IQ Falls
Perhaps more worrying is the effect of Info-Mania on workers’ IQ. Far from making workers more productive, the findings of a new scientific experiment reveal that those who “over juggle” and who constantly disrupt meetings and important tasks to read and respond to messages, significantly reduce their IQ.

In a series of tests carried out by Dr Glenn Wilson, Reader in Personality at the Institute of Psychiatry, University of London, an average worker’s functioning IQ falls ten points when distracted by ringing telephones and incoming emails. This drop in IQ is more than double the four point drop seen following studies on the impact of smoking marijuana. Similarly, research on sleep deprivation suggests that an IQ drop of ten points is equal to missing an entire night of sleep 3 . This IQ drop was even more significant in men who took part in the tests.

“This is a very real and widespread phenomenon,” explains psychologist Dr Glenn Wilson, “We have found that Info-Mania, if unchecked, will damage a worker’s performance by reducing their mental sharpness. Companies should encourage a more balanced and appropriate way of working”

Companies who provide their employees with iPAQ’s, notebooks and mobile phones to work remotely and on the move normally yield enormous benefits from greater productivity, better employee motivation and improved work-life balance. The problem occurs when workers use these tools 24/7 to be ‘more productive’, during meetings and in their private time when their IQ and output begin to fall.

David Smith, Commercial Communications Manager, HP UK & Ireland commented, “The research suggests that we are in danger of being caught up in a 24 hour ‘always on’ society. This is more worrying when you consider the potential impairment on performance and concentration for workers, and the consequent impact on businesses. At HP we strongly advocate the deployment of technology to improve productivity, but we encourage people to respect and use it appropriately. For example, using “dead time” whilst travelling, or when going from one meeting to another is a very productive way to deal with messages.”

Never Mind the Quantity Feel The Quality
It is not the volume of messages that causes the problems, but the response to interuptions. As a deaf person completely reliant on email and text messages to communicate, Molly Haynes can send up to 600 texts in a month and says that text messages and email are her main form of communication, both in and out of the office.

"I apply the same ettiquette to emails and texts as most people apply to one to one conversations" said Haynes. "Checking my emails provides me with a connection to friends and colleagues. However I would never check them at weekends! I also turn my email off at lunch so that I can have a break from it" she said.

"Answering messages and emails during meetings and at weekends etc should be one of common courtesy, not scientific research. I would never ever take my mobile into a meeting with me, just as I would never have it at the dinner table at home. It would be like starting a brand new conversation with someone when you were already talking to somebody else - how can you possible concentrate on either efficiently? With this in mind, of course the findings are going to find a temporary reduced level of IQ."
Turn Off Your Mind Relax and ...

“HP encourages people to temporarily turn off their iPAQs , notebooks and tablet pc’s during meetings. This removes the temptation to check messages. People need to understand that in some situations this is the most appropriate option. Although sports car manufacturers make fast cars, they expect people to drive them responsibly and not drive down the motorway at 150mph. Similarly, “always on” technology has proven productivity benefits but people need to use it responsibly. We know that technology makes us more effective, but we also know that misuse of technology can be counter productive. Employers and employees need to adopt a far more responsible, long term approach.”

In addition to the impact on workers’ performance, Info-Mania in meetings also has a negative effect on colleagues and the work environment, increasing stress and negative feelings. 89% of workers think that colleagues who answer emails or messages in a face to face meeting are extremely rude. This activity can also be extremely distracting. Yet, 30% of people believe it is not only acceptable but actually diligent and efficient to do so.