Well it's no accident that the old drug advocates like Leary got so excited
by the "techno-noosphere" or that it turned out to be  just as much of an
illusion as their psychedelic utopia. 




-----Original Message-----
From: Sue Thomas
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: 4/22/2005 11:25 AM
Subject: [WDL] 'Infomania' worse than marijuana

BBC NEWS

'Infomania' worse than marijuana

Workers distracted by email and phone calls suffer a fall in IQ more
than twice that found in marijuana smokers, new research has claimed.

The study for computing firm Hewlett Packard warned of a rise in
"infomania", with people becoming addicted to email and text messages.

Researchers found 62% of people checked work messages at home or on
holiday.

The firm said new technology can help productivity, but users must learn
to switch computers and phones off.

Losing sleep

The study, carried out at the Institute of Psychiatry, found excessive
use of technology reduced workers' intelligence.

Those distracted by incoming email and phone calls saw a 10-point fall
in their IQ - more than twice that found in studies of the impact of
smoking marijuana, said researchers.

More than half of the 1,100 respondents said they always responded to an
email "immediately" or as soon as possible, with 21% admitting they
would interrupt a meeting to do so.

The University of London psychologist who carried out the study, Dr
Glenn Wilson, told the Daily Mail that unchecked infomania could reduce
workers' mental sharpness.

Those who are constantly breaking away from tasks to react to email or
text messages suffer similar effects on the mind as losing a night's
sleep, he said.

Do you suffer from infomania? Or do you know when to switch the computer
off? Send us your views.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk/4471607.stm
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk/4471607.stm> 

Published: 2005/04/22 06:29:55 GMT

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