Friday, March 14, 2014

All tech and no face-time makes Jack a dull boy? And the brilliance of Gandhi's wit!

It's Friday night (Saturday, Singapore time, by the time most people get to read this) and I shouldn't be quoting research studies. But here's one, anyway (TODAY, March 13):

 
It is an American study that turns the tables on the adults... the kids are now saying, "Hey mum, hey dad, you tell us to put the cellphone away at dinner time but look who're still glued to their devices and not paying attention to us!"



Here's an online interview with the clinical psychologist mentioned above, Dr Catherine Steiner-Adair, on the topic "Parents: Say No to screens":

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/interviews/article/57824-parents-say-no-to-screens-pw-talks-with-catherine-steiner-adair.html

So you (yes, you the adult; don't look at the child beside you) have to ask yourself, "Have I become a tech addict?" Here's Dr Steiner-Adair again, in a Youtube clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypHFRgrtq_o
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Still on the proliferation of tech devices in this digital age, compared to the time when analog devices were the norm, imagine what can happen if an old-fashion rotary-dial telephone were to be thrust in front of today's "digital native" kids with the instruction, "Make a call with this device!" Here's what did happen...

Video of the Day: Kids React to Roatary Phones

http://www.online-video-company.co.uk/blog/video-of-the-day-11th-march-kids-react-to-rotary-phones~522/    
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Finally, as smartphones become smarter, are we humans becoming dumber? I don't know. But I wonder if Gandhi's super-sharp wit might have been dulled by too much distraction from today's social media apps and tech devices!...

When Gandhiji was studying law at the University College of London, there was a professor,  whose last name was Peters, who felt animosity for Gandhiji, and because Gandhi never lowered his head towards him, their "arguments" were very common.

One day, Mr. Peters was having lunch at the dining room of the University and Gandhiji came along with his tray and sat next to the professor. The professor, in his arrogance, said, "Mr Gandhi: you do not understand... a pig and a bird do not sit together to eat ", to which Gandhiji replies, "You do not worry professor, I'll fly away ", and he went and sat at another table.
 
Mr. Peters, green of rage, decides to take revenge on the next test, but Gandhiji responds brilliantly to all questions. Then, Mr. Peters asked him the following question, "Mr Gandhi, if you are walking down the street and find a package, and within it there is a bag of wisdom and another bag with a lot of money; which one will you take?"
 
Without hesitating, Gandhiji responded, "the one with the money, of course".
Mr. Peters, smiling, said, "I, in your place, would have taken the wisdom.
"Each one takes what one doesn't have", responded Gandhiji indifferently.
 
Mr. Peters, already hysteric, writes on the exam sheet the word "idiot" and gives it to Gandhiji. Gandhiji takes the exam sheet and sits down. A few minutes later, Gandhiji goes to the professor and says, "Mr. Peters, you signed the sheet, but you did not give me the grade."

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