Author Topic: Twitter is for Thickos (Read 10592 times)

chekovsulu · « **on:** September 07, 2009, 12:13:49 PM »

The Daily Telegraph says that Facebook makes you cleverer. They also say Twitter and Youtube makes you opposite of that. There's also a bit in the end about television being linked to ADHD, which is silly because I've been raised on TV. Fortunately, war games are good for brains.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/twitter/6147668/Facebook-enhances-intelligence-but-Twitter-diminishes-it-claims-psychologist.html

I put this in Chaos because I'm not sure how offensive the word "thicko" is and I don't want this to be true, Facebook wants me to use my real name (which it currently isn't, but they did once send me an e-mail warning me about fake names).

At the bottom of the article, they had a link to The Telegraph's Twitter page.

Quote

Facebook 'enhances intelligence' but Twitter
'diminishes it', claims psychologist
Spending time on the Facebook networking site could enhance
a key element of intelligence that is vital to success in life, a
psychologist has claimed, but using Twitter may have the
opposite effect.

Playing video war games and solving Sudoku may have the same effect as
keeping up to date with Facebook, according to Dr Tracy Alloway.

But text messaging, micro-blogging on ''Twitter'' and watching YouTube were
all likely to weaken ''working memory''.

Working memory involves the ability both to remember information and to use it.

At a job interview, a candidate will employ working memory to match answers
to questions in the most impressive way.

Dr Alloway, from the University of Stirling in Scotland, has extensively studied
working memory and believes it to be far more important to success and
happiness than IQ.

Her team has developed a working memory training programme that greatly
increased the performance of slow-learning children aged 11 to 14 at a school
in Durham.

After eight weeks of ''JungleMemory'' training, the children saw 10 point
improvements in IQ, literacy and numeracy tests.

A number who started off close to the bottom of the class ended up near the top.

''It was a massive effect,'' said Dr Alloway, who today gave a talk on working
memory at the start of the British Science Festival at the University of Surrey in
Guildford.

Video games that involve planning and strategy, such as those from the Total War
series, may also train working memory, Dr Alloway believes.

''I'm not saying they're good for your socialisation skills, but they do make you use
your working memory,'' she said.

''You're keeping track of past actions and mapping the actions you're going to take.''

Sudoku also stretched the working memory, as did keeping up with friends on
Facebook, she said.

But the ''instant'' nature of texting, Twitter and YouTube was not healthy for working
memory.

''On Twitter you receive an endless stream of information, but it's also very succinct,''
said Dr Alloway. ''You don't have to process that information.

''Your attention span is being reduced and you're not engaging your brain and
improving nerve connections.''

She said there was evidence linking TV viewing with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder (ADHD) while extensive texting was associated with lower IQ scores.

Robin-Graves · « **Reply #1 on:** September 07, 2009, 03:44:24 PM »

And chicken causes sterility, Mountain Dew causes lower sperm count, There is a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow . Rock is the devils music ( actualy , rap is) and God was an astronaut.

And Midian is where the monsters live.
( Cheapie,,,name THAT movie lol)

Skadi · « **Reply #2 on:** September 07, 2009, 04:18:50 PM »

It's weird to make generaliztions like that. Any application can be used in any way.. it depends on the user.

dufus 'experts'

dweez · « **Reply #3 on:** September 07, 2009, 05:45:58 PM »

Moved to Technology where it belongs. Thanks for being sensitive cs, but I think we're alright here.

mishca09 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 07, 2009, 09:13:35 PM »

i dont twitter and i dont do facebook, or myspace (accept to be nosy).

i can see how texting could contribute to lower iq scores, especially if the texter only reads and writes in texter talk.

Discover99 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 08, 2009, 02:55:14 AM »

Quote from: Skadi on September 07, 2009, 04:18:50 PM

It's weird to make generaliztions like that. Any application can be used in any way.. it depends on the user.

dufus 'experts'

qft

actually if i'd to choose between fb and twitter. it's rather the other way round.

hmed2390 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 11, 2009, 05:07:33 PM »

Quote from: Skadi on September 07, 2009, 04:18:50 PM

It's weird to make generaliztions like that. Any application can be used in any way.. it depends on the user.

dufus 'experts'

agreed. anbody can read a for dummies book and then talk on the subject, but it takes a real nerd to write a for dummies book.

and in keeping with the theme of the stupidity of cyberhanging out on twitter, facebook,etc...

i present to you this:

frankcapri · « **Reply #7 on:** September 11, 2009, 05:17:51 PM »

I kinda agree with part of this "study". If I spend a hour looking at youtube videos
and you ask me what I remember, I'll inevitably say, "I don't remember. I think one of them had a cat in it." $:-\$

hmed2390 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 11, 2009, 05:46:21 PM »

well it makes sense, judging the kind of youtube videos we typically see on this forum.

Clickity Click!

Robin-Graves · « **Reply #9 on:** September 13, 2009, 03:57:00 PM »

I find video games to do the same thing.

I see more and more kids that cand ballance a checkbook or read on a second grade level, but they can tell you how to beat the boss on level seven.

Diabolico · « **Reply #10 on:** October 02, 2009, 07:08:19 AM »

There is a direct lack of direct interaction on Twitter, where as with Facebook you can create a message, then have replies going from that OP, invite people you have added as friends to games and clubs.

Its possible to find messages/replies on Twitter about yourself and others, but you have to search to find them. This is kinda disturbing, I can't think of a word, disconnected; Twitter is disconnected, if that's the right way of putting it >_>.

With Facebook, every so often you get friend recommendations; those are people who are friends, of your friends. Example: You add Jack as a friend, jack is friends with Billy or whatever, you would receive an email with recommendations of people to add as friends, in this case to add Billy as a friend.

I don't get why it states "psychologist" and not a name, what is the purpose of the article and does it have an agenda to boot?

Quote from: Robin-Graves on September 13, 2009, 03:57:00 PM

I find video games to do the same thing.

I see more and more kids that cand ballance a checkbook or read on a second grade level, but they can tell you how to beat the boss on level seven.

Practical skills; is home economics, or an equivalent still taught in schools?

Robin-Graves · « **Reply #11 on:** October 05, 2009, 09:21:30 AM »

nope, and niether is the constitution.

Diabolico · « **Reply #12 on:** October 05, 2009, 10:06:55 AM »

Whoa

. Due to?

8ullfrog · « **Reply #13 on:** October 26, 2009, 01:05:56 AM »

Twitter is killing grammar and punctuation, as well as tense.

Robin, not many people need to balance a checkbook.

It's one of those vestigial skills, like knowing how to change a typewriter ribbon.

That being said, if one uses checks, one ought to know how to use a checkbook.

Geemonster · « **Reply #14 on:** October 26, 2009, 01:38:25 AM »

Well for one,i was raised on books,not the bloody TV.
TV was a privilage if we behaved ourselves.
Youtube watchers,well have you seen some of the video comments? People i daresay even the same age as myself arguing calling each other names,vulgarities and the like.
I daresay there's lots of kids on there too.
I have a Facebook page,i hardly ever use it though,peoples spelling is atrocious.
What the golly has happened to the education system both here and abroad.
I've heard of Twitter,never bothered to search for it,as in my mind it's for twits.
I still read,and i enjoy it,it builds and uses your imagination,like nothing else can.
I feel im part of a dying breed.

ohcheap1 · « **Reply #15 on:** October 26, 2009, 05:42:25 AM »

Quote from: Geemonster on October 26, 2009, 01:38:25 AM

I still read,and i enjoy it,it builds and uses your imagination,like nothing else can.
I feel im part of a dying breed.

Not gonna lie to you but my daughter is an avid reader. And she reads so fast!! Just like her Dad. They both can tackle at least a book per week without even trying. Gee, you dont need to know the grusome facts about her Dad and his "Throne" reading habits. BUT she still does all the other medias as well. Computer addict, tv junkie, etc AND a straight A student so as long as she keeps going in this direction Im good.

Ive said before that I think TV reduces your creativity. I am an addict. Not to actually sitting in front of the TV anymore but I download tons of tv shows. That way I can get more in without having to watch commercials. When I was a kid i could write a short story in the blink of an eye with all of the ideas swimming in my brain but as I got more hooked on tv I just couldnt do it anymore. Maybe they are linked maybe not, who knows.

Geemonster · « **Reply #16 on:** October 26, 2009, 07:13:11 AM »

Especially with all this cowpoo reality TV,it's not even real,they're in front of a camera.
Of course they'll behave differently.
I download everything i watch,with the exception of Star Trek while im eating dinner.
But i have the box set DVD's of TNG & DS9.

Robin-Graves · « **Reply #17 on:** October 27, 2009, 07:21:22 AM »

I quit watching tv. Mostly I watch dvds.
Im allways buying new ones, and have exceeded 400 that ive bought and about 100 that ive downloaded and burned off.
Tv isnt like it used to be , not with the advent of reality tv shows that cost nothing to make and rake in billions from the couch potatoes out there.
Whatever happend to the network movie of the week?
I remember a movie on some network every night, and late night movies.
Now its all relaity tv,NCIS, Law and Order and Jag spinoffs.
Late night is loaded with late night talk shows.
I remember when it was Johnny Carson and David Letterman , and thats it.
I remember saturda afternoons and saturday night was the time for horror movies on tv,, now its all bs.
And late night is dominated by info mercials over and over again ( who watches those? they need psychiatric help).
Nope,, give me my dvd and a bag of popcorn is im going to watch anything. Otherwise throw me the new Warhamer 40k novel and im happy.

dweez · « **Reply #18 on:** October 27, 2009, 07:44:39 AM »

Actually, NCIS is a spinoff of JAG.

I want them to bring back Saturday night Kung Fu Theatre.

Geemonster · « **Reply #19 on:** October 27, 2009, 12:41:13 PM »

I like the original CSI,my fave season is season 7,there are lots of sub plots.
The main story throughout the whole season is the minature killer,who makes scale models of the crime scenes,body,blood the lot.
Had me enthralled.

Robin-Graves · « **Reply #20 on:** November 01, 2009, 06:11:02 AM »

I like Dr Who alot.
I cant wait for the new season. Too bad David Tennant is being rplaced, but his contract isnt really up till 2013, so he may be back.
Tennant is the best since Tom Baker.

Geemonster · « **Reply #21 on:** November 01, 2009, 06:16:37 AM »

Damn straight!
Tom Baker IS the time lord.

Robin-Graves · « **Reply #22 on:** November 01, 2009, 06:19:05 AM »

David Tennant is a close second in my book.
Peter Davidson should have stuck with his original gig in Upstairs Downstairs. ( If I remember right)