But where are the places for

But where are the places for this silent reflection? Listening to music or using a device is often a way of claiming some solitude in the middle of an environment screaming for your attention in many different ways. Try riding the subway or walking down a city street and you will only have the solitude and ability for reflection that you make for yourself, taking what focus you can from a world that is screaming for you to listen, to watch, to buy. It is through the act of controlling and choosing these inputs that we are able to function.

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Go, go, go!

@heiwahito -- The places for silent reflection are where ever you want them to be. People are not always walking down the street, riding the subway, working out... etc. Eventually, we come home. Silent reflect can take place there; perhaps while relaxing in the hot-tub, sitting next to the window watching the rain fall, meditating, eating breakfast in the morning, during the shower... there are tons of places in the home where people can take the time and reflect on their lives. Maybe in a journal, maybe a blog if one does not mind sharing their reflections with the Internet.

Even outside the home, there are places for reflection. Going to the gym, instead of listening to music, listen to your body. Walking through the park can be a time for self reflection as well.

I think when people feel that they cannot make time for self reflection, they don't really want to. Maybe they fear it in some fashion or there are things they don't want to know to get to know themselves better. Perhaps they aren't comfortable with themselves. Whatever the case is, there is always time to slow down. Life isn't always "go, go, go!"

I do agree that music can be calming, relaxing, and evoke pleasant feelings. But I think what Todd is getting at here is when these people constantly listen to music, or are constantly texting, or constantly checking Facebook -- they begin to lose sight of themselves. Over all of that, they cannot hear themselves think.

I think anything can be good for you, as long as it's done in moderation. If you control your moods through the use of external devices, how are you going to control them when those devices are not available?

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Curious comments

I don't know. I think this type of ideology rudely assumes that when one is listening to music this is an entirely monofocal engagement. Instead, I believe the reason that one little add-on [listening to music] to the list of distractions is so distracting to people like me and the first commentor is because listening to music is a varied and enriching experience. I do my best thinking to music (creatively, intuitively, introspectively.) However, I do agree that more silent reflection time can be beneficial. But before we all unplug, consider exactly what the benefits are to going wireless and to whom they most apply. Plus, are we using wire-fire to distance ourselves from our social commune are could we be using it to connect with our peers in an emotionally safer environment? (I.e., it's easier to ask a girl out online than face to face, right?) I believe these new ways of communicating are benefial for the meek, the geek, and the downright socially imperfect of us all. (See note: Although, if you ever want to seeif you can walk, you do need to give up the crutch.)

In my own experience, I have a varied and intricate fantasy life--kinda like a tv in my head. So sure, I can unplug, unmessage, turn off, tune out, and still be watching a picture show with eyes wide shut. I've been told I'm mentally overstimulated. But isn't that how a good mind grows?

I'd hazard a guess that most of my generation is this way because we've all been overstimulated from birth. Light up toys, dancing musical cartoons, loud music, oversized emotions, etc. But wean us from our iPods and you will probably see that hell hath no fury like a musicless teenager, lol.

In short, less may be more, but some isn't bad.

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I'm with anonymous as far as

I'm with anonymous as far as the 'tv inside my head' comment goes. I can distract myself far more deeply and efficiently if I don't have any electronic input going on.

When I was younger, I often had difficulty identifying what I was feeling and why, I was far more emotionally disconnected from myself than I am now. This didn't have anything to do with electronic gagetry though. Nothing at all.

And why do you assume that someone who listens to their i-pod while working out doesn't spend half an hour meditating each morning? Cause that would be me too.

It's really easy to complain about the things 'these people' are doing if you don't make any effort to identify the problem inside yourself. This post is just an elaborate way of saying 'kids these days!'

How is that helpful?

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Why does everybody have to

Why does everybody have to take the blog posts on Psychology Today so personally? "I have an Ipod so what he is saying must be an insult to me." You unintentionally prove his point of emotional immaturity.

There is also a related idea in philosophy that technology makes us less human. It may make our lives easier, but it also isolates us and in effect makes us miserable.

BTW, if you are asking people out online, you have already proven that you are emotionally immature.

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Thanks for your post. A

Thanks for your post. A commenter on my blog post here at Psychology Today, "When AT&T asked us to ‘Reach out and touch someone’, did they mean that literally?" pointed me your way. Very interesting.

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My high school students

I used your blog post in a reading class. Hoping to get a reaction form my high school students.

The "good" student saw the light and see what is holding them back form doing better. There was a sharp decrease in the number of students that had music playing between classes.

The other students were not happy, and actually turned on their iPods to tune out the negative feeling of being criticized.

This is some very good insight into the problems my students are having. They even pick teams based on skill, it done by Rock/paper/scissors. They don't have friends they have study partners, or gaming buddies. It scares me where these kids will lead the world if they don't grow up.

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