Screens, Silence and the Shrinking Mind
Jameel Aahmed Milansaar. sharejameel@gmail.com. Somewhere between the first sleepy scroll in the morning and the last reel before bed, we seem to have misplaced our minds. Not metaphorically — quite literally. Studies now suggest that an overdose of videos can quietly blunt our ability to observe, reflect and think clearly. The very screens that promise to “keep us engaged” are, in slow motion, disengaging our cognitive muscles. Videos are like that overly helpful friend who insists on doing everything for you until you forget how to do anything yourself. They serve up images, conclusions and emotions pre-packaged, leaving no room for analysis or deep observation. Reading, on the other hand, is a far more demanding companion. A book does not perform for you; it asks you to participate. It expects patience, imagination and a willingness to wrestle with ideas. In return, it silently stretches your mental sinews and widens the horizons of your thought. Step outside — or simply ...