I could make a strong bet that you will get a notification while reading this essay. I don’t blame you if you want to check it. Odds are, you probably will. Where’s it from? Is it a snapchat? Someone liked your Instagram post? Best friend sent you Tiktok? With the uproar of iPhones and cutting-edge technology, distractions consume us more than ever. We are attuned to the buzz of a notification and ready and willing to avert our attention once it occurs, which we all know is very frequently. In his article, “In Defense of Distraction” Sam Anderson, write for The New York Times Magazine, acknowledges how technology is hindering our ability to effectively concentrate yet argues that our ability to be easily distracted is an adaptive feature in the current generation that allows us to effectively navigate a fast-paced, technologically-engulfed world. Although Anderson highlights how distraction can be utilized as a tool when used properly, student narratives from an English composition course at UNE demonstrate how the constant distraction from their phones negatively impact them. Both Katie McGuire and Faith Santiago, first year undergraduate students at the University of New England, express concerns on their personal abilities to effectively concentrate on a task in the presence of their phones. When taking a stance on the complex relationship between distraction and focus, I agree that an optimal level of distraction aids in one’s efficiency, however a constant attentional shift, especially one from our phones, has such a detrimental impact on our concentration that it hinders one’s potential to complete a task to its best ability.
We require some level of distraction from our environments as it allows us to seamlessly go from task to task in our daily routine. Distraction in its simplest definition is anything that requires us to shift our focus to something else. If we were unable to indulge in the distractions around us, we would spend far too much time on simple or unimportant tasks, thus hindering our productivity and efficiency. Anderson explains the power of distraction when he writes, “The truly wise mind will harness, rather than abandon, the power of distraction. Unwavering focus, the inability to be distracted, can actually be just as problematic as ADHD. Trouble with attentional shift is a feature common to a handful of mental illnesses, including schizophrenia and OCD. It’s been hypothesized that ADHD might even be an advantage in certain change-rich environments” (11). In other words, being able to effectively shift one’s attention allows one to efficiently navigate ever-changing environments, which is a good description of the world we live in today, while hyper fixation has its dangers. It can be time-consuming and is the underlying principle behind unhealthy metal habits such as overthinking, obsession, and compulsion. Yet, despite the benefits that stem from distraction, it is crucial to acknowledge that too much distraction can be equally harmful to efficiency and productivity as hyper fixation. In addition, the source of distraction is an important aspect of this conversation. Anderson may have a point about the importance of distraction, however phones are such an extreme that his argument becomes faulty. Phones lead to excessive and constant attentional shifts, to the point where concentration can only occur for short spurts of a few minutes or less. This lack of consistent focus manifests in decreased productivity and the mediocre completion of tasks.

Anderson Quotes:
“It’s possible that we’re all evolving toward a new techo-cognitive nomadism, a rapidly shifting environment in which restlessness will be advantage again. The deep focusers might even be hampered by having too much attention: Attention Surfeit Hypoactivity Disorder.” (11)

“There’s been lots of hand-wringing about all the skills [digital natives] might lack, mainly the ability to concentrate on a complex task from beginning to end, but surely they can already do things their elders can’t, like conduct 34 conversations simultaneously across six different media, or pay attention to switching between attentional targets in a way that been considered impossible. More than any other organ, the brain is designed to change based on experience, a feature called neuroplasticity.” (11-12)

Katie Quotes:
“There is a big temptation to either procrastinate or multitask. This often leads to making my work less thorough. I often find myself skimming readings and articles rather than engaging and learning. With easy access to fly through online books and find what I’m looking for right away, I lose the opportunity to think, gain more knowledge and make my writing detailed. Technology can take away from engaging in school and work and cause myself and others to think less.
Along with multitasking, trying to stay in the present becomes difficult. Constantly getting notifications and having multiple apps and websites shifts my focus.”

Faith Quotes:
“When I go on social media, I am immediately flooded with content tailored to my interests, and that is no longer than 60 seconds. I never have to give it my full attention, or go out of my way to find content that I want to see. These apps are very influential, and have had a massive impact on the way that their users process information.”

“When I go on social media, I am immediately flooded with content tailored to my interests, and that is no longer than 60 seconds. I never have to give it my full attention, or go out of my way to find content that I want to see. These apps are very influential, and have had a massive impact on the way that their users process information”

Distraction is an adaptation
Is it truly adaptive??