The Information Noise Age

A few years ago I read a paper entitled, "The Mind Has No Firewall".  This was in relation to the potential for psychological warfare on the battlefield and how to protect the mind from external stimuli.  I have read it a few times since and the topic endlessly fascinates me.  Here is a quote that will give a better understanding of this type of warfare:

"Solntsev also examined the problem of "information noise," which creates a dense shield between a person and external reality. This noise may manifest itself in the form of signals, messages, images, or other items of information. The main target of this noise would be the consciousness of a person or a group of people. Behavior modification could be one objective of information noise; another could be to upset an individual's mental capacity to such an extent as to prevent reaction to any stimulus. Solntsev concludes that all levels of a person's psyche (subconscious, conscious, and "superconscious") are potential targets for destabilization."

Upon reading this I began to wonder, what sort of information noise do I already have in my life that is not allowing me to fully interact with my environment?  Of course the usual suspects pop up: social media, texting on my cell phone, online gaming, a television that is on too much.  It struck me as highly ironic and funny that a tactic the military considers using against their enemies is one that we voluntarily engage in on a daily basis.   

Information noise is probably the least understood but most relevant issue facing humanity today.  The rapid progress of technology has fundamentally changed the way we perceive and interact with our world today.  Recently, I unfriended someone on a social media site because we simply were not getting along well online.  I was then accused of erasing them from my life.  Our online presence has become so immersed into our real lives that we forget that the two are separate but not equal.

So how do we deal with all of this external stimulation and remember that we are carbon-based beings and not online avatars?  How do we create a firewall for the mind but still engage in facets of modern society?  We simply press the button.  Shut off the computer and literally shut off the phone.  Technology breaks are a necessity of our society. 

I recently took a forced break due to circumstances beyond my control.  I have to say it was very refreshing and it actually wasn't long enough.  My brain had become accustomed to checking my phone every 10 minutes and it was difficult at first.  A lot of self-talk helped.  I had to remind myself that if someone was really hurt or in trouble they would contact my husband.  I had to remember that I grew up in a house with a land line and that was the only way people could get in touch with me.  It was perfectly acceptable then and it shouldn't be any different now. 

So while we cannot truly create a firewall for our minds or block everything out, we can unplug from the system.  The constant barrage of information noise is not a necessity of a healthy lifestyle.  In fact, many recent studies are showing how harmful it can be overall to a person's health.  From sitting too long, or staring too long at a screen, or forgetting that we are not our online personas. 

Here is the link to the article, "The Mind Has No Firewall".

http://strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pubs/parameters/articles/98spring/thomas.htm