Is Technology Changing Our Brains? - Dacher Keltner

[Trailer1220]

It is very possible to improve upon the hardwiring of the brain...

Different is not always worse...

We are on the brink of an evolutionary leap forward, and technology will largely be the catalyst for this change.

It's too late to fight it, going to have to try and use our tools wisely for the collective betterment of humanity.

[soumyaaymous]

0:00 skip add

[LadyRuin2012]

What a jerk. I met my husband over the internet and we're happy.

[soumyaaymous]

@LadyRuin2012 yes but after a while you did meet him face to face...you 2 were in the physical presence of each other...that is important..thats what he was saying

[NoDeity]

"Well good luck reproducing the species."

What a dick. The drive to reproduce has nothing to do with the well-being of the individual and everything to do with blind and unthinking instinct and has absolutely nothing to tell us about whether or not something is good or valuable.

[soumyaaymous]

@NoDeity it may not be that simple..the way in which we judge whether something is valuable or good often has its roots in some ancient instinct that evolved ages ago ..

[Xenoclaw]

I think he is asking the wrong question. Technology may (or may not) be affecting our ability to perceive physical cues however it's also opening us up to a new social language. I know people who can't pick up on empathic cue given online but have great interpersonal skills so I'd argue that there is more than one social language. Btw ad hominum attacks are dispicable and only show how ignorant one is. Keep to the subject matter and stay mannered.

[meroxyersox]

Get this tested, get a brain screen (or whatever im not a proffesional) and observe the change in observation of these people. Observe them not being able to pick up subtle body language and face movements, and then this will have ground to stand on.

[meroxyersox]

not being able to pick up on face movements and body language is autism (perhaps not as severe but get down to basics and it is). Does this mean this proffessor really thinks technology is making us autistic? Many jobs require people to sit in front of a computer for hours everyday, are they less socialy able than the rest of the population? First of all, this proffessor has presented no scientific proof of his theory.

[TheOneReesy]

I think this is kinda dumb, i can understand what he is saying i just think that it cannot lead to a devolution (Evolution away from our current state) because it takes a considerable amount of time for this to happen, we do not know what the future of technology will lead to so this is pointless..

[gordon1201]

True, I do aggree with what hes saying, but its not necessarily DE-evolution. its just part of human evolution. Who knows, in the future we may not even use our faces or movements for communication. We might become telepathic or whatever.

[TheOneReesy]

thats what i was basically saying, de-evolution is impossible.. we can only evolve into newer forms.. and if the forms are the same as previous ones we've still evolved into them.

[anthonzi]

1:40 I've fallen in love just using technology before. Dumbass.

1:45 Yeah except that you can travel physically to meet in person at any time you choose. Where does this guy get paid to teach? Definitely not interested in whatever institution employs him. Fucking Luddite.

Haha second strike against UC Berkeley I've found this month. First the AIDS/HIV denialist, now this guy.

[kingakings1]

haha your pathetic

[anthonzi]

*you're. Pathetic or not in the opinion of many, it is the wave of the future, so you'd better get used to it.

[dichotomyofone]

This guy is clueless about technology to make such a boast. We've web cams, for example, video conferencing and the like that is available that takes away from the mystery of just chatting online with a stranger. He may as well of made the argument that talking on the phone all the time makes facial gesture recognition deteriorate over time and this is an olllld technology. Soon he'll say radio kills the need for live music.

[psychobabblebullshit]

i think you misinterpreted what he was saying. >_>

[dichotomyofone]

Or he could be a tool who doesn't know what he's talking about. < _<

[PRIMEx420]

It's either him or you, and he makes plenty of sense, where as I don't even know where to start correcting/explaining what you wrote. but yeah, one of you is a tool for sure.

[dichotomyofone]

Be my guest, "correct" me. I'm open to any criticism you may throw my way.

[u5chi1]

@dichotomyofone Or you could be the tool

[Broken915]

@dichotomyofone Well not everyone uses webcams. And I think he is referring to things like texting. you don't web cam chat on your phone you just text. Video games for example are another way people meet each other and more often then not, no one will asks to see the actual person through a picture or a video. In a way its kind of like getting to know people without ever knowing/meeting them.

But still I doubt that technology is "de-evolving" us... well at least for ppl who live normal lives.

[VivekRajcoomar]

bitches will still need to be sexed.

[thegreatpadaxes]

allow me to boil two and a half minutes down, to what he is actually saying. "use it or lose it"

[VivekRajcoomar]

...ur penis, that is.

[walterfireson]

i have been camping since i was a kid and the age group of the people i see today are all older generation people and the young only seem to go to the woods to litter and to dump crimes, or so it appears. I would say peeople dont care about the earth, nature or themselves anymore for whatever reason.

[RussX5Z]

This is a super good point by this man. Unfortuately we're become a society depended on electronics/technology so heavily that we almost lose our true sense of self. And as every 5 years go by it keeps getting worst and worst. I can't imagine how everything will be like in 15 to 20 years from now. It probally won't be good it'll be focusing more on the disaster side.

[n8iveidiot13]

And as every 5 years go by it keeps getting worst and worst.

lol so very true... and its... it keeps getting worse and worse xD

[RussX5Z]

YUP! I'm pretty sure I'm not exagerating. Today's cell phones and cameras are a good example.

[idasputem]

Its GREAT in that respect. Especially if you've ever found yourself in DODGY relationships due to physicality happening too soon, - then finding out you dont actually like the person - when you'd got confused through sex leading you to believe you knew more than you did!!!

On the net - you are FORCED to communicate with a persons heart and head!

Yes they could lie of course but eventually it shows & at least you havent been F**ked ALL ways!

EVOLUTION as far as I'm concerned!

Peace :-)

[0BatGirl0]

I am actually considering writing that book!

[Plutonwolf]

First off Prince Valiant, you assume we live exclusively online. How dehumanizing was it to work in a factory, or a farm, or a mine? Life for the vast majority has never been ideal.

Secondly, I think that people will re evolve their more intuitive/psychic portions of their minds. This has been pounded out for quite a few generations, but it will reassert to compensate for the lack of visual cues.

[hurchel]

yeah what plutonwolf said...

hi wolfie..

[Plutonwolf]

Hello there my friend! I hope all is well!

Tell me something, does pompous self important natterers like Mr Keltner need to be slapped about the head or what? Sometimes one needs to self examine to see if one is projecting, he sure does. This is a prime example of the manipulability of the soft sciences. He evidently had a preconceived concept and found the evidence to support what he wanted.

[hurchel]

Life will box him about his head and shoulders...

what is scary is his um, umming, and a professor?? besides pluton he is working the library circuit and he looks happy anyone will listen to him...

See you nattererrrr.!!!

[Mjhavok]

De-evolving? It would still be evolving. Just in a different direction. No such thing as de-evolving.

[0BatGirl0]

True that, I was suprised he didn't correct him.

[idasputem]

Yes Batgirl- it's marvellous how when on the net, people can no longer so easily fool themselves they can get by being total arseholes just cos they think they LOOK good. EVOLUTION!!!

[0BatGirl0]

It's always been that way. We're a species that judges the book by it's cover.

[idasputem]

0BatGirl0 -- Well this species member aint like that anymore!!!!!!!!

EVOLUTION in a GOOD way

[The45DegreesProject]

@Mjhavok i think that what he is saying is that, the part of the brain that has evolved before technology was there is de-evolving and that other parts are evolving

[Mjhavok]

@The45DegreesProject De-evolving? Becoming less adapted to its environment?

[suzhouhe]

>:P

[hoomelemele]

sounds like more a modern day ludite rave

[merdufer]

no need to worry really. we're adaptive enough to learn how to judge social status, health, and personality without the other person being physically present.

"love" has changed many times throughout the history. we're already falling in love because of the dumbest things. no need to believe that this time it's going to be "de-evolution".

it's true that morality will keep changing, but all we have to do is steer it carefully so that we don't die.

[ArkeAngelRevonulet]

I have noticed in many chat services Yahoo,Paltalk,Youtube,Secondli­fe to name a few. I've seen the best and worst of people come out. The nice,shy ones come out of their shell OR the hateful ones show their true selves. Due to the anonymity they feel from behind a computer or avitar! You have to apply all emotions to the question not just love.

[idasputem]

A persons spirit is LOVABLE -- even via a screen!!! Even if you've only spoken but NEVER met in the flesh.

I know a guy from UK who married a woman in US who he'd only spoken to over Skype for months.

STILL HAPPY years on.

[0BatGirl0]

I have a friend who I have only ever spoken over Skype with. Over the past two years I would say he has become one of my closest friends even though we don't know what the other looks like.

[idasputem]

Absolutely -- I feel the same about a couple of people. If anything all this forces people to be more truthful about their hearts, bringing people closer. Good looks or whatever looks can literally mess with your brain!

[idasputem]

In FACT this net business makes CLEAR to ME, that the BRAIN is the MOST important sexual organ, at least as far as Im concerned!.

[0BatGirl0]

Our minds are wired to be attracted to people because of their appearance. And for some people they just judge a book by it's cover and don't give others a chance.