How Our Ancient Brains Are Coping in the Age of Digital Distraction

Our species invented the internet. Can we handle the consequences?

By Kenneth Miller
Apr 20, 2020 1:00 PMApr 22, 2020 12:08 AM
Technology Crazy Brain - Shutterstock
(Credit: Pathdoc/Shutterstock)

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This story appeared in the May 2020 issue. Subscribe to Discover magazine for more stories like this.


At our very foundation, says cognitive neuroscientist Adam Gazzaley, “humans are information-seeking creatures.” 

And that may be the problem.

While the internet and smart devices give us unprecedented access to the data we covet, we seem clueless about coping with the deluge these technologies have unleashed.

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