We had some good discussions going in class the other day in regard to our ideas on Aristotle’s Principle. I wanted to further comment (my own opinion) on this principle. I first want to comment on the gentleman’s comment regarding cognitive capacity. I really agree with this theory you brought up. But to further explain my own reasoning, I will begin by simply saying that I do believe humans are biologically programmed as problem solvers. Human beings have an unconscious need for complex tasks that require us to think and solve problems. However, I believe that the amount of technology thrown in our faces from very early ages can shape our brains in such a way that we become cognitively lazy. I have my own theory in regard to ADHD. I was born in the 1980’s and while I remember watching Winnie the Pooh as a toddler, I don’t remember watching TV in the way that most children do today. More and more I hear parents talk about sitting their kids in front of the TV as infants. And more and more children in today’s world are being diagnosed with ADHD. Infant’s brains are developing at an exponential rate, and if we are sitting those developing minds in front of a TV, then are we programming those minds around the idea that the world is fast moving?
I sat down and watched a kid’s show one morning for all of about ten minutes. I couldn’t even keep up with it, to be honest. It was nothing but insanely fast movements, colors, and sounds. I really had no idea what was even happening with the characters—granted, I’m sure it was meant to be funny. However, I thought about a specific child I know who was diagnosed with ADHD a year ago. I remembered observing her watching these types of TV shows and I remember her behavior after. Her behavior after the shows ended was extremely hyperactive. I also know that her parents began sitting her baby brother down in front of the TV when he wasn’t even old enough to hold his own head up. I am curious to see if he too is later diagnosed with ADHD.
Perhaps these parents are gearing their kids up to be cognitively lazy as adults too. I work on a mental health unit and I offer various group activities to patients. One of the activities I offer is art therapy. I am always astonished by the fact I only have a few people a day who are interested in participating. The activities I offer are basic. You don’t have to be an artist to get involved or enjoy them. In my mind, I would rather be doing something with my mind that is productive than sitting and watching TV all day. But I am always amazed at the amount of patients who tell me they would rather watch TV. (I understand the patients who are manic not wanting or being able to engage for obvious reasons.) It’s saddening in a way that our society is this cognitively lazy. Yes, the majority of our patients suffer from a form of depression… but my advice to them is always to make themselves get up and do something good for themselves. Some listen and do find they enjoy the projects I teach them. Some even tell me they will be continuing to do arts and crafts once released. But, there are others who just want to be entertained. So… again, I wonder. Could this be related to the massive amounts of technology thrown in their faces starting in infancy or early childhood?
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