BBC随身英语｜便捷的生活是否正在削弱我们的思考能力？

Is convenience weakening our brains?

We all know the feeling. You have a big, difficult task to complete, but your phone is on the desk next to you, teasing you with endless distraction opportunities. What's happening on social media? What's going on in the news? Who's messaging me?   

This constant bombardment of information through our screens, coupled with a tendency to outsource even basic tasks to technology, might be making us unhappier and more resistant to difficult tasks. Is 'friction-maxxing' the answer?

Humans like to choose the path of least resistance to conserve energy, but actually, tasks that require more effort often feel more meaningful. Friction-maxxing is a new trend which aims to rebuild our tolerance for inconvenience. In a basic sense, this involves adding more 'friction' to tasks so that they require more time, effort or patience, which, in theory, leads to greater feelings of satisfaction and reward.

A series of experiments carried out in 2012 by researchers Norton, Mochon and Ariely found that when people built their own furniture, they had a greater sense of their own competence and pride in their creations.

Our brains operate on a 'use it or lose it' principle, says Gloria Mark, psychologist and author of book 'Attention Span'. To keep new brain neurons alive, we must keep using them by continuing to do effortful tasks. If we rely too much on technology, we risk weakening our mental skills.

Many of us use GPS apps to direct us around a city, but overusing these apps appears to be reducing our natural sense of direction, according to a study published in the Scientific Reports journal by Dahmani and Bohbot. On the other hand, studies show that cognitively stimulating activities which require more patience, like reading, doing puzzles and learning an instrument, can preserve our brain function as we age.

Some are unconvinced by the 'friction-maxxing' trend. Psychologist and author of 'The Distracted Mind', Larry Rosen, believes it's too hard to resist the convenience technology provides. The trend doesn't hurt, says Gloria Mark. "If people are putting in effort, it makes them more intentional and thoughtful." Perhaps by taking the easy route, we're missing out on some of life's enjoyment.

词汇表
tease [tiːz] vt. 逗弄，招惹，诱惑
bombardment [bɒmˈbɑːdmənt] n.（信息等）连珠炮似的攻击，轰炸，轰击
be coupled with 与…相结合，加上
outsource [ˈaʊtsɔːs] vt. 外包，把…交外办理
be resistant to [rɪˈzɪstənt] 对…有抵抗力的，抗拒…的
friction-maxxing [ˈfrɪkʃn mæksɪŋ] n. 阻力最大化（一种通过增加任务难度来提升满足感的趋势）
friction [ˈfrɪkʃn] n. 摩擦，阻力，阻碍
resistance [rɪˈzɪstəns] n. 阻力，抵抗力
conserve [kənˈsɜːv] vt. 保存，节约，保护（能量等）
tolerance [ˈtɒlərəns] n. 容忍，耐受性，承受力
competence [ˈkɒmpɪtəns] n. 能力，胜任，技能
'use it or lose it' principle “用进废退”原则（指大脑神经元若不持续使用就会退化）
neuron [ˈnjʊərɒn] n. 神经元，神经细胞
effortful [ˈefətfʊl] adj. 费力的，需要努力的
sense of direction 方向感
cognitively stimulating [ˈkɒɡnɪtɪvli ˈstɪmjuleɪtɪŋ] 认知刺激性的，对大脑有激活作用的
puzzle [ˈpʌzl] n. 谜题，智力游戏
be unconvinced by [ʌnkənˈvɪnst] 对…持怀疑态度，不被…说服
intentional [ɪnˈtenʃənl] adj. 故意的，有意识的，有目的性的
take the easy route [ruːt] 选择轻松的方式，走捷径
miss out on 错失，错过（机会、乐趣等）

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