So it’s the first of June and I finally got around to buying the May issue of Wired Magazine (you’d think it would be cheaper). I came across an article written by Steven Johnson revealing astounding research that the world’s population has increased their IQ level even though there seems to be a decline in schools. After much to do about nothing (exaggeration of course) he writes:
” Over the last 50 years, we’ve had to cope with an explosion of media, technologies, and interfaces, from the TV clicker to the World Wide Web. And every new form of visual media – interactive visual media in particular – poses an implicit challenge to our brains: We have to work through the logic of the new interface, follow clues, sense relationships. Perhaps unsuprisingly, these are the very skills that the Ravens tests measure – you survey a field of visual icons and look for unusual patterns.”
Hell! I’ll be stuck quoting this guy all day, if you let me. But what it seems to boil down to is that our relationship with media and technology has made us smarter (if you believe that IQ tests can measure intelligence). It’s an ok read, (sorry, can’t find it on the web) but I keep wondering about social intelligence.
I was talking to a psychologist this weekend and she told me that they’re seeing more and more you people being affected by too much gaming. Specially when they’re about to enter the workforce (think I read an article in BT about that as well). She had an interesting observation or view about it as well. She told me that they suffer from some sort of God complex. They seem to think they can conquer the world, but when it comes down to it, they suddenly see that they have no skills to do this! And this leads to massive depression. I would have loved to discuss this further with her, but a bride craved certain attention as well, seeing as we were at a wedding.
Lack of social intelligence is not new to the gaming discussion. At this same wedding I managed to blurt out ‘Lol’ a few times and once I actually said the words ‘Rolling on the floor laughing’, which basically put a brutal stop to the laughter. But I, personally, have not thought about it from this direction before. It’s an interesting point…one I wish to explore further. Urgh! Wish I had a psychology degree now!
Remember What The Dormouse Said 
You say people being affected by too much gaming, what is that effect. Is it only depression? Is there any evidence:a. that there is more depression amongst the gamers now than there were in the past?b. to link depression (delusion) with gaming?Interesting stuff, eh?
hmmm..i used to suffer from a ‘god complex’ though i only referred to at as the brashness and delusions of immortality of being young. now i have to remind myself everyday (several times actually) that i will succeed and that i am genius. when i was young i took this for granted…man it sucks getting older and smarter…
Maciek!Great questions! But ones that I cannot answer as of yet…the best research I have found so far has to do with addiction, not that I’ve really been looking too hard on the psychologi of gamers. But will look into it. There is ofcourse the teenage suicide issue, but that’s been going on since D&D’s prime time. Will make a note to write about that!Joachim!I know EXACTLY what you mean!! Although I know that you will be successfull! You just need to be stubborn and arrogant enough to get it!! ;)
mmmm…i don’t think the arrogance is a problem, though it gets harder to maintain but yes: the stubborness definetely needs alot of maintenance and up-keep. what you said is actually a very very good advice: you have to keep up being arrogant (in a nice way of course) and stubborn just like when you where younger
LOL! Well according to this psychologist I met, you should play more computer games!!! Yet another excuse ey?!
one thing my friend…isn’t the ‘dormouse’ spellt withh two o’s?just a thought…