Last Thursday, Sarah A. and I talked about the website Lumosity. Lumosity is a brain training program developed by neuroscientists that is aimed at maintaining the brain's neuroplasticity. Users of Lumosity have a daily regimen of short, mentally stimulating brain games, each of which are specific to one of five categories Lumosity aims to improve: Memory, Attention, Speed, Problem Solving, and Flexibility.
Sarah A presented the good things about this website. It was developed by a team of neuroscientists, so the programs the site offer have a decent amount of credibility. Users can get a good idea of what they're signing up for with a month long free trial, before they decide that they want to commit and start paying a monthly fee. Lumosity tracks your progress as well as shows you how you stand among other users, which can serve as motivation to stick with the program and work hard at increasing your brain power. A study conducted at UC Berkeley showed that those who stuck with the program for an extended period of time had significantly enhanced self esteem compared to those who had no experience with the program.
While there are many cool things about Lumosity, there are some aspects that reflect negatively on the program. For this type of software, it is extremely pricey. With a monthly rate of $14.95, many people will get discouraged and cancel their subscription because they decide their money can go towards better things. Like exercise, it is something you have to stick with for a long time before you see any desirable results. People who are only half-committed to participating in the program will just be wasting their money. Also, the goal of the program is to maintain a brain's neuroplasticity--its ability to adapt to new ideas and skills. There are plenty of other ways to accomplish this without sitting at your computer--learning a language, playing a sport, or doing crossword puzzles are all activities that will help keep the brain stimulated and developing. In his book The Shallows, Nicholas Carr argues that activities on the web serve as an extension of our personal memory, not as a tool to enhance it.
This is an interesting blog post by "The Stochastic Man" that supports the con side of your argument.
ReplyDeletehttp://thestochasticman.wordpress.com/2009/02/26/why-brain-training-doesnt-work/
In looking at technology, I have begun to ask myself the question, "what does this technology encourage and reward?". This question will help us better understand what is cool and what isn't cool about a technology.
ReplyDeleteOn one hand, Luminosity does encourage people to think "outside the box" or use their brains a little differently from the norm; however, to whom does this really appeal? It probably mostly appeals to those who are already interested in little brain teaser apps like Words with Friends or Ruzzle. Those of us who already play these on a regular basis probably aren't getting the hugely oversold "brain training" that Luminosity is selling.
In addition, I think this technology rewards those who spend a lot of time playing these brain teaser games instead of devoting their brain power towards real world problems and emotions. I don't think its fair to label this as a "work out for your brain" when any time of semi-critical thinking could really accomplish the same. Unfortunately, mind games do not show near as many results as a fascinatingly difficult college lecture.
While this technology isn't perfect, anyone who has spent any amount of time on the internet can attest to the fact that this is easily amongst the best (most constructive) sites out there. When considering the amount of garbage websites (http://heyyeyaaeyaaaeyaeyaa.com/), it's refreshing to see something positive, apart from cat videos, that will get people to think critically and maybe even cause them to improve their lives. If you're going to be wasting time in front of a computer, this could be the best way to do it.
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