The Human Bandwidth Dilemma..
The world we live in today is truly an age of information. That in itself sounds like an understatement. Technology is increasing at a rapid rate and new sciences and discoveries are being unveiled. Computers and the Internet have led us into an era that could very well be ahead of our time. Advancements in countless areas of technology bode well for the economy and the development of future societies and projects; however, the human mind is finding it hard to keep up with the fast, changing pace of technology.
With the Internet evolving and endless amounts of data available at anyone's disposal, it's beginning to become hard for the average person to comprehend and accept what they're given as information; whether they realize it or not.
According to this website, Human Bandwidth, it's difficult for someone to read more than a few web pages comfortably on a computer screen. A user's first reaction when boredom or distraction arises is to look away, or try to find another source that's more user friendly. This 'scanning' of information doesn't leave the user with a solid base from which to learn, and proper academic techniques are becoming harder to instill and remember.
It's rather ironic that I'm writing a blog about Human Bandwidth on a day that I attended a function that former U.S. President Bill Clinton spoke at. The website I've posted above includes a picture of another former president, John F. Kennedy, and explains that he had a famously wide bandwidth. After listening to Clinton speak, it became clear to me that the knowledge that he possessed was far greater than the average person. In thirty minutes, he spoke with intelligent passion about numerous worldwide issues that affect us globally, and it seemed as if he just 'touched the surface' on these topics. There's no doubt in my mind that he could have given a two hour speech on any of the issues he discussed without breaking a sweat. I compare him to a modern-day, human encyclopedia. His bandwidth is vast, and he can process and access incredible amounts of information with impressive speed. Obviously, not everyone is going to have the drive and the motivation to learn and succeed as Bill Clinton does, but it's his practise and work ethic that's becoming a dying breed among modern day civilians.
After researching and reading about human bandwidth, I feel that going back to basic education techniques and thorough textbook practises would benefit the youth of today, as well as adults. I think reading is becoming a lost art, with an abundance of online websites and services contributing to discouraging people from learning and expanding their knowledge the 'old fashioned way'. I think websites like these will continue to evolve and flood the Internet with entertaining, yet, time-wasting alternatives to reading.
As we move forward, and as the years pass, it's a scary thought to think that the machines of today's world will eventually outsmart our brains. It's important that we stay properly educated and informed throughout our everyday lives. Unlike computer bandwidth, we can't pay money to upgrade our minds...
Cam Brown
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