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My External Hard Drive

My friends and I are sitting at a restaurant, with our phones on the table, like an extension to our conversation. The dings and rings disrupt our train of thought; it’s constant. And I suspect our cell phones are weakening our concentration and memory.  I frequently refer to the cell phone as my external hard drive.  

Back to the restaurant, during our chat, when (not if) we forget something, like an actor’s name, we quickly reach for our phones. No worries, let’s ask our external hard drive for the answer. “Hey Siri, can you name so and so?” And Siri gets two points for a correct answer, while our brains and ability to access information lose points.

Raise your hand if you still remember phone numbers. Back in the day, that was my talent, but instant dialing has since replaced memorization. Today, all I do is ask Siri to call.  My mental Rolodex is in the same landfill as the metal Rolodex and paper address book.

Who can still read a map? Do you even own a paper map? No worries.  GPS will direct you – but not always to the correct location or the fastest route. But eventually, you get there.

We live in an era where we reach for our phones rather than reaching into our heads. In 1955, President Dwight Eisenhower suffered a heart attack while on the golf course. This event led the country to reconsider how food and exercise contribute to good health. Does the same hold true for the food we feed our minds? If we keep looking at our phones for answers, thoughts, and ideas, are we feeding ourselves mental junk food?

How will our brain continue to recall information if we don’t practice the skill? If I don’t physically exercise, I weaken my body; does the same hold true if I use my phone instead of my internal computer?

Practice Practice Practice

Just as Eisenhower’s heart attack led the nation to examine and change unhealthy eating and exercise habits, we now need a similar strategy to address the impact of digital technology on our minds.

FaceTime and Jess

But then there is the other side of the coin –the phones can be an amazing lifeline. FaceTime is a game-changer for our family. Without it, we would not have seen our 44-year-old daughter, Jessica, who has significant disabilities and is nonverbal, during COVID or when we are out of town. FaceTime is our connection to Jess when we can’t be there in person. And we love how she beams as soon as she sees our faces. And Jess sees our glowing faces beaming back.  

Where Am I?

Another Phone must-have for me is the GPS, which ensures that I don’t end up 20 miles in the wrong direction (directions are my anti-superpower).  Reading and learning are highlights of the mini cellular computer. And I connect with friends and family by playing Wordle, Connections, and weekly quizzes.

LifeLine and Other Bonus Points

Using phones to connect, FaceTime, call 911 no matter where you are, play Mahjongg, challenge others, get to a destination without 10 wrong turns, read interesting stories, and learn new information are some of the life-changing benefits.

No Judgement – Well, Kind of….

So, there is no judgment here – I admit I use my phone too much, but I’m also trying to change my habits. Relying on our phones as external hard drives may be harming our memory skills. Instead of reaching for the phone, reach into your mind and use the wonderful internal computer in your noggins.

I’m sure there are many studies on all of this – maybe I’ll ask Siri! Ugh, Old habits are hard to break.

Your Turn! Would love to hear your thoughts and stories.

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