Have you ever had that feeling?
The feeling like your phone vibrated, but it didn’t?
What you’ve experienced is called:
Phantom Vibration Syndrome
Years ago, there was a major study on smoking (yes, your iPhone is like a pack of cigarettes).
Using fMRI we learned that something called Mirror Neurons are activated the moment a smoker sees another smoker lighting up. Mirror Neurons give credence to the old saying “Monkey See, Monkey Do.” It’s a built-in mechanism connected to the empathy emotion, and it partly explains the popularity of sports and pornography. Both activities take us beyond observation, because in our brains we’re actually participating.
In the study on smoking, we learned that the Mirror Neurons would kick-start a chain reaction in the smoker’s brain, which would induce craving sensations. In other words, whenever smokers observe another smoking, there’s no opt-out because the tobacco user’s brain is hardwired to be seduced into lighting a cigarette.
So, what does this have to do with your pack of cigarettes iPhone?
And?
Take, for instance, a group of guys talking around the table. What happens when someone at the table checks their phone?
It doesn’t take long, and other guys in the group feel the need to check their screens, too. If you asked them why they were checking, chances are, they wouldn’t have a solid answer. Now, this isn’t bullet-proof science, but it is a similar dynamic that is found with those Mirror Neurons that are activated with smokers.
So?
So, what’s the big deal?
Apart from habit, Phantom Vibration Syndrome is also about not being fully present. As much as we all believe we’re skilled multi-taskers, for the record, we’re not. Quite simply, we’re no longer fully present. By this I mean emotionally as opposed to physically. We think we are, we think we’re participating in the conversation, but in reality, we’re not.
I have often wondered if the generation behind us won’t buy-in to technology like we have and we will see the technology bubble burst. We underestimate the power these gadgets have in our lives, but our kids are watching and see the effects of not being fully present.
There is a battle for our minds. There is a battle for our attention. Who’s winning?
What do you think?
[via Fast Company]
Samuel Sutter says
I have soo been there.
joanna says
I totally have this problem. I also have phantom ringtone syndrome where I swear I’ve heard my phone ring
Eric Dye says
Can you hear it, now? – LOL!