Now that summer is winding down and football season is in the air, many people are diving back into work after long, relaxing vacations. One thing I always hear from returning vacationers is the joy they felt while being disconnected from e-mail, the Internet, social media, etc. It’s almost like a burden was lifted and they could finally put their focus on other aspects of life. Hearing these stories made me wonder how technology consumption was changing the way we think, learn and concentrate in our everyday lives.
I was sent an article from the New York Times that addresses similar thoughts: Todd Braver (a psychology professor at the University of Wisconsin) and five other neuroscientists decided to unplug and head into the wilderness for a week with minimal digital interaction. They wanted to better understand how the digital world impacts attention in humans and contemplate the question, “How soon do people need to get information and respond to it?” Many of the scientists in the article feel that “the drumbeat of incoming data has created a false sense of urgency that can affect people’s ability to focus.” While they were on their trip, some scientists were able to resist the urge to check e-mail, while others found hot spots and logged on. Ultimately, all the participants felt rejuvenated from their trip and more aware of their dependence on technology. For some, new ideas and outlooks were imagined in nature because they knew there would be no digital interruption. They were able to concentrate on thinking, creative ideas and brainstorming in a comfortable, non-stressful environment.
Here are my questions: If people generate creativity when they unplug, should businesses encourage employees to take more vacation time? Should businesses sponsor getaways for this specific purpose? Could they see a return on their investment?