In this week's episode,  Dr. Kathleen "Katy" Allen, a lifelong educator with a doctorate in human development, introduces her new book, "Stuck in Our Screens: Setting Aside Social Drama and Restoring Human Connection." Dr. Allen explains that her initial research for the book stemmed from her work on bullying intervention in high schools, where students often described their experiences as "social drama" rather than bullying. She realized that this phenomenon of "social drama" and excessive self-focus was not limited to adolescents but was also prevalent in adult society, leading her to broaden the book's scope to a social commentary. 

 The conversation delves into the pervasive impact of screens and social media on human connection and cognitive abilities. Dr. Allen highlights the shift from one-way media like television to two-way interactive screens, which she believes has significantly altered behavior. Citing neuroscientist Mary Ann Wolf, she discusses how scrolling and swiping differently wire the brain compared to reading printed text, potentially diminishing our capacity to understand complex issues. Both Dr. Allen and Leslie Maloney express concern about the addictive nature of screens, the erosion of in-person communication skills, and the need to set boundaries with technology, emphasizing the importance of physical community and traditional values like kindness and politeness to counteract the negative effects of constant screen engagement. 

Kay's email:

[email protected]

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The conversation delves into the pervasive impact of screens and social media on human connection and cognitive abilities. Dr. Allen highlights the shift from one-way media like television to two-way interactive screens, which she believes has significantly altered behavior. Citing neuroscientist Mary Ann Wolf, she discusses how scrolling and swiping differently wire the brain compared to reading printed text, potentially diminishing our capacity to understand complex issues. Both Dr. Allen and Leslie Maloney express concern about the addictive nature of screens, the erosion of in-person communication skills, and the need to set boundaries with technology, emphasizing the importance of physical community and traditional values like kindness and politeness to counteract the negative effects of constant screen engagement.

The conversation delves into the pervasive impact of screens and social media on human connection and cognitive abilities. Dr. Allen highlights the shift from one-way media like television to two-way interactive screens, which she believes has significantly altered behavior. Citing neuroscientist Mary Ann Wolf, she discusses how scrolling and swiping differently wire the brain compared to reading printed text, potentially diminishing our capacity to understand complex issues. Both Dr. Allen and Leslie Maloney express concern about the addictive nature of screens, the erosion of in-person communication skills, and the need to set boundaries with technology, emphasizing the importance of physical community and traditional values like kindness and politeness to counteract the negative effects of constant screen engagement.