Monthly Archives: May 2012

Banning Cell-Phone Use While Driving Doesn’t Reduce Productivity

This article in today’s New York Times talks about the increasing trend of companies to forbid their employees to talk on their cell phones while driving. Many companies report that this doesn’t negatively affect productivity because many calls are  unnecessary and because travelers arrive at their destinations experiencing less stress (btw: stress decreases cognitive flexibility, aka…

Share

Even Google’s CEO says we need to unplug

Here’s a great Op-Ed piece in the Washington Post talking about the advice Eric Schmidt gave to graduates.  There are so many reasons we need to unplug at least once a day: 1) using our brain to its fullest; 2) being creative; 3) reducing our stress; and 4) maintaining real relationships with real people.

Share

How Watching the News Can Make You Sick

I am quoted today in an article in Toronto’s Now magazine on the negative physiological effects of exposure to disturbing news.

Share

Another Struggle Between Connection and Focus

Today’s Sunday New York Times has an article about the pro’s and cons of open-plan offices: while they promote interaction between co-workers, the sound of others talking also leads to distraction from focus and interference with private conversations. These same issues come up with our wonderful digital devices: it’s good to have ready access to…

Share