Kayla Steinmetz
Dr. Lalita Hogan
English 112
25 September 2017
Focusing on Distractions
Everyday our brains are constantly processing a massive amount of information that is constantly being attained through various technological platforms. With this abundant flow of information, the question of just how productive and how much of this information is actually being processed beneficially is posed. While more ways to obtain information may mean the attainment of more knowledge, it also poses the threat of more ways to distract ourselves. In Sam Anderson’s article “In Defense of Distraction”, Anderson explores the various challenges placed on our brains daily to not to succumb to the various distractions that reduce productivity. He is able to …show more content…
The human brain is conditioned to constantly be only the lookout for danger and rewards which is known as bottom-up attention (Anderson 401) . Due to this, spontaneous noises and flashes of light are able to engulf our attention therefore distracting us from what we may have been previously doing. Throughout the article, Anderson intentionally inserts various brief and entertaining bits of information that although pertains to the core content, still varies enough to register to the brain as “shiny” information. Topics such as South Koreans dying from exhaustion (Anderson 398), the ability to lose weight simply by focusing on your food (Anderson, 402), and the depiction of Einstein multitasking in a Swiss patent office (Anderson 401), are just some of the many examples mentioned. These underlying distractions allow for maximum effectiveness of the usage of The Boston Molasses Disaster. When mentioning topics such as South Koreans, Anderson does not make it known to his readers that they are being used as distractions. These underlying distractions then allow for the lead up to the …show more content…
On page 402, in Anderson’s talk with Winifred Gallagher, Gallagher mentions “ If you continue to just jump up in the air every time your phone rings or pounce on those buttons every time you get an instant message, that’s not the machines fault that’s your fault (Anderson 402).” Anderson strategically places this line shortly before his first introduction of the Boston Molasses Disaster. Trying to entice his readers, Anderson states, “ If I were to excuse you from reading this article for any single distraction, which I am not, it would be to read about the Boston Molasses Disaster.” Anderson is specifically attempting to tempt his readers to go astray and give into their desire to be distracted. He then goes on however to revisit the topic again and furthermore give in and allow his readers to delve in and discover the pointless and unrelated topic. By doing this, Anderson is able to test his audience’s ability to resist giving into distractions. Testing his audience then allows for the readers to reflect upon their ability or inability to allow distractions to control their own life. This reflection makes Anderson’s article more relatable to the readers and allows for Anderson to better portray his
Dr. Lalita Hogan
English 112
25 September 2017
Focusing on Distractions
Everyday our brains are constantly processing a massive amount of information that is constantly being attained through various technological platforms. With this abundant flow of information, the question of just how productive and how much of this information is actually being processed beneficially is posed. While more ways to obtain information may mean the attainment of more knowledge, it also poses the threat of more ways to distract ourselves. In Sam Anderson’s article “In Defense of Distraction”, Anderson explores the various challenges placed on our brains daily to not to succumb to the various distractions that reduce productivity. He is able to …show more content…
The human brain is conditioned to constantly be only the lookout for danger and rewards which is known as bottom-up attention (Anderson 401) . Due to this, spontaneous noises and flashes of light are able to engulf our attention therefore distracting us from what we may have been previously doing. Throughout the article, Anderson intentionally inserts various brief and entertaining bits of information that although pertains to the core content, still varies enough to register to the brain as “shiny” information. Topics such as South Koreans dying from exhaustion (Anderson 398), the ability to lose weight simply by focusing on your food (Anderson, 402), and the depiction of Einstein multitasking in a Swiss patent office (Anderson 401), are just some of the many examples mentioned. These underlying distractions allow for maximum effectiveness of the usage of The Boston Molasses Disaster. When mentioning topics such as South Koreans, Anderson does not make it known to his readers that they are being used as distractions. These underlying distractions then allow for the lead up to the …show more content…
On page 402, in Anderson’s talk with Winifred Gallagher, Gallagher mentions “ If you continue to just jump up in the air every time your phone rings or pounce on those buttons every time you get an instant message, that’s not the machines fault that’s your fault (Anderson 402).” Anderson strategically places this line shortly before his first introduction of the Boston Molasses Disaster. Trying to entice his readers, Anderson states, “ If I were to excuse you from reading this article for any single distraction, which I am not, it would be to read about the Boston Molasses Disaster.” Anderson is specifically attempting to tempt his readers to go astray and give into their desire to be distracted. He then goes on however to revisit the topic again and furthermore give in and allow his readers to delve in and discover the pointless and unrelated topic. By doing this, Anderson is able to test his audience’s ability to resist giving into distractions. Testing his audience then allows for the readers to reflect upon their ability or inability to allow distractions to control their own life. This reflection makes Anderson’s article more relatable to the readers and allows for Anderson to better portray his