The term "Luddite" originated in the early 19th century in England, where it referred to a group of workers who destroyed machinery, especially in cotton and woolen mills, that they believed was threatening their jobs.

These workers were not against technology itself, but rather against the way it was being used to exploit them and replace their labor.

In the 21st century, the term "Luddite" has taken on a broader meaning, referring to anyone who is opposed to new technology or ways of working.

There are several reasons why someone might be opposed or resistant to new technologies in the 21st century, including the fear of job loss, the potential for technological unemployment, and concerns about the impact of technology on society.

For example, the rise of automation and artificial intelligence has led to concerns about the potential for widespread job displacement, with some estimates suggesting that up to 30% of jobs could be at risk of being automated.

Additionally, the increasing use of technology in various industries has led to concerns about the potential for technological unemployment, where workers are replaced by machines or algorithms.

Some people may also be opposed to new technologies due to concerns about their impact on society, such as the potential for increased surveillance, decreased privacy, and increased inequality.

The Luddite movement of the 19th century was not just about destroying machinery, but also about protesting against the exploitation of workers and the negative social impacts of industrialization.

Similarly, in the 21st century, some people may be opposed to new technologies because they believe that they are being developed and implemented in ways that prioritize profits over people.

For instance, the development of artificial intelligence and automation has been driven largely by the pursuit of efficiency and cost savings, with little consideration for the potential social impacts.

Furthermore, the increasing use of technology in various industries has led to concerns about the potential for decreased job security, decreased wages, and decreased benefits.

The story of Tara and Darius Senna in Source 2 highlights the importance of considering the social impacts of technological development and ensuring that technology is developed and implemented in ways that prioritize human well-being.

The phrase "you can't buy tomorrow" suggests that we need to think carefully about the long-term consequences of our actions and ensure that we are developing and using technology in ways that will create a better future for all.

In conclusion, the reasons why someone might be opposed or resistant to new technologies in the 21st century are complex and multifaceted, and include concerns about job loss, technological unemployment, and the impact of technology on society.

It is essential to consider these concerns and ensure that technology is developed and implemented in ways that prioritize human well-being and create a better future for all.

The historical context of the Luddite movement highlights the importance of considering the social impacts of technological development and ensuring that technology is developed and implemented in ways that prioritize human well-being.

The 21st century Luddites are not just opposed to technology, but also to the way it is being developed and implemented, and are calling for a more nuanced and considered approach to technological development.

Ultimately, the development and implementation of new technologies must be guided by a commitment to human well-being and a consideration of the potential social impacts.

The example of the Luddite movement of the 19th century highlights the importance of considering the social impacts of technological development and ensuring that technology is developed and implemented in ways that prioritize human well-being.

The story of Tara and Darius Senna in Source 2 highlights the importance of considering the social impacts of technological development and ensuring that technology is developed and implemented in ways that prioritize human well-being.

The phrase "you can't buy tomorrow" suggests that we need to think carefully about the long-term consequences of our actions and ensure that we are developing and using technology in ways that will create a better future for all.

In the 21st century, the term "Luddite" has taken on a broader meaning, referring to anyone who is opposed to new technology or ways of working.

There are several reasons why someone might be opposed or resistant to new technologies in the 21st century, including the fear of job loss, the potential for technological unemployment, and concerns about the impact of technology on society.

For example, the rise of automation and artificial intelligence has led to concerns about the potential for widespread job displacement, with some estimates suggesting that up to 30% of jobs could be at risk of being automated.

Additionally, the increasing use of technology in various industries has led to concerns about the potential for technological unemployment, where workers are replaced by machines or algorithms.

Some people may also be opposed to new technologies due to concerns about their impact on society, such as the potential for increased surveillance, decreased privacy, and increased inequality.

The Luddite movement of the 19th century was not just about destroying machinery, but also about protesting against the exploitation of workers and the negative social impacts of industrialization.

Similarly, in the 21st century, some people may be opposed to new technologies because they believe that they are being developed and implemented in ways that prioritize profits over people.

For instance, the development of artificial intelligence and automation has been driven largely by the pursuit of efficiency and cost savings, with little consideration for the potential social impacts.

Furthermore, the increasing use of technology in various industries has led to concerns about the potential for decreased job security, decreased wages, and decreased benefits.

The story of Tara and Darius Senna in Source 2 highlights the importance of considering the social impacts of technological development and ensuring that technology is developed and implemented in ways that prioritize human well-being.

The phrase "you can't buy tomorrow" suggests that we need to think carefully about the long-term consequences of our actions and ensure that we are developing and using technology in ways that will create a better future for all.

In conclusion, the reasons why someone might be opposed or resistant to new technologies in the 21st century are complex and multifaceted, and include concerns about job loss, technological unemployment, and the impact of technology on society.

It is essential to consider these concerns and ensure that technology is developed and implemented in ways that prioritize human well-being and create a better future for all.

The historical context of the Luddite movement highlights the importance of considering the social impacts of technological development and ensuring that technology is developed and implemented in ways that prioritize human well-being.

The 21st century Luddites are not just opposed to technology, but also to the way it is being developed and implemented, and are calling for a more nuanced and considered approach to technological development.

Ultimately, the development and implementation of new technologies must be guided by a commitment to human well-being and a consideration of the potential social impacts.

The term "Luddite" originated in the early 19th century in England, where it referred to a group of workers who destroyed machinery, especially in cotton and woolen mills, that they believed was threatening their jobs.

Title:

Content: Brian Merchant, author: “Luddites are more dangerous to the rich than Robin Hood”

The Luddites have been a great historical resource. Any showy enemy of anything that looked like technological progress has been called a Luddite. Today with generative artificial intelligence and its critics, the word has been revived. The author and journalist Brian Merchant (Iowa City, USA, 1983) saw it coming and has written a book that reviews the Luddite revolt in England at the beginning of the 19th century and its similarities with current technologies: Blood in the Machine (Blood in the Machine, currently without a planned edition in Spanish) thus explores the origins of the current revolt against big technology.

Although the book has appeared in the midst of the AI hype, Merchant began his research a decade ago: “Uber was growing and it was beginning to be seen that it was having a hard impact on taxi drivers, I heard the term Luddite from the pro-Uber sector and wrote an article titled You don't understand anything about Luddites”. Now in his book he remembers that the Luddite revolt was a labor struggle, not anti-technology, at a time when unions were prohibited. In a conversation with EL PAÍS from his residence in Los Angeles, Merchant clarifies the historical impact of the Luddites and the possible similar struggles that are being played today in Silicon Valley.

1. The Luddites were not against progress

The labor revolt over the loss of rights was more important than the destruction of textile machines: “The biggest mistake about the Luddites is to say that they were against technology and progress,” says Merchant. “They were against certain technologies because they recognized the way in which they were going to be used in their context against them as workers. It was a labor movement, against poverty, not anti-technology. The British Government began to mold them in this way almost immediately, it was keen to mock the Luddites and present the argument that they were against progress. It is very similar to how today people in positions of power in technology companies accuse those who complain about poor working conditions. It's the same story for 200 years.”

The book quotes a phrase from historian Eric Hobsbawm that explains this stage: “It was collective bargaining through riots.” According to Merchant, this tactic in a workers' struggle was very powerful for two reasons: “First, it was symbolic because everyone understood that what they were destroying was not just a machine. It was also the specific machine used to transfer wealth from the workers to the employer. Second, it was useful because they destroyed the equipment that businessmen needed.”

2. Why Robin Hood is better accepted than Ned Ludd

Ned Ludd was a legendary character. No one knows for sure if he existed. It was the legend of a teenager who would have broken the first machines at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. In 1811, rebellious workers used his legendary name to sign letters and further scare: “Ludd probably never existed. But the incarnation of it would become a mascot, an organizational tool, a wink: a powerful 19th-century meme,” Merchant writes.

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Ludd lived near Nottingham (United Kingdom), like another legendary figure who has been better treated by history. There must be a reason, says Merchant: “The Luddites organized a popular and powerful rebellion. People wrote popular songs about them. They were like Robin Hood. But it is interesting that Robin Hood has endured as a positive light, while the Luddites have not. He suggests that the myth of Ned Ludd is in some ways more dangerous to the elites and the wealthy than that of Robin Hood, which is a little more nebulous and open. The Luddites say: go ahead and break the machines of your oppression. Robin Hood says: steal from the rich and give to the poor. “I think that’s a little more tolerable.”

3. How are they similar to today's problems?

The background of the book is that the history of the Luddites is similar to what happens today in Silicon Valley, where a small group of corporations dominate new technologies. “The way technologies are developed has basically not changed. You have a handful of people with access to enough capital or political influence to be able to build a factory and use automation technologies. “Back then, the most aggressive owners didn’t ask anyone how to find a way to make this a win-win.”

Merchant has received criticism for equating the great businessmen of 19th century England with 21st century America. But there are details that he does not see that far away: “The technology development process is in some ways even more undemocratic today than then. There is this immense pool of capital available to Silicon Valley innovators through venture capital. Uber wasn't profitable for 10 years, but they had access to that capital. Did anyone really like that? Did it work for workers and delivery people? Nothing mattered, they just had more money and moved on.”

See also  Just the mystery

These workers were not against technology itself, but rather against the way it was being used to exploit them and replace their labor.

In the 21st century, the term "Luddite" has taken on a broader meaning, referring to anyone who is opposed to new technology or ways of working.

Title:

Content: The new is the old well forgotten.
Where in the Network there was a fashionable insult to the opponents of AI
In the Internet discourse, deep in the study of sarcastic comments of anonymous persons, you can find the term "Luddite".
This label is often referred to as people who dare to express the slightest inclination to inhibit the constant development of artificial intelligence (AI).
Related video
Interestingly, such prominent figures as Elon Musk, Stephen Hawking and Bill Gates have been awarded the Luddite Award, which is recognition of their cautionary position regarding the potential dangers associated with artificial intelligence.
During the ceremony, Robert D. Atkinson, the organizer of the award, noted: “Unfortunately, luminaries such as Elon Musk and Stephen Hawking have contributed to the feverish refraction of hands about the impending apocalypse of artificial intelligence, ” writes IFLScience.
In Focus.Technology appeared its own Telegram-channel.
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Atkinson also explained: "Do we consider any of them personally Luddites?
No, of course not.
They are pioneers of science and technology.
But they and others have done a disservice to the public — and undoubtedly have helped and comforted the increasingly common neo-Luddist impulse in modern society — by demonizing AI in the popular imagination.
But how did the term come about?
Its roots can be traced back to the early 1800s in England.
Before the industrial revolution, skilled craftsmen who knew a lot about textile production made clothes using their own machines and specialized tools.
However, a situation arose when new technologies and methods of mass production appeared, as a result of which artisans were unable to compete.
The result was a movement whose purpose was the destruction of the textile industry and the destruction of new machines.
Although there is some truth to this story, it does not reflect the whole essence of the Luddite movement.
Their actions were not driven solely by a reaction to new technologies; rather, they were a response to the profound transformations taking place in their professional activities.
While it is true that they often attacked a knitting machine known as a stocking frame, as well as other mechanized fixtures, their main concern was the labor practices associated with these machines.
Kevin Binfield, editor of the Luddite and Compassionate Works, explained their motives: "They simply wanted machines to produce high-quality goods, and that these machines employed workers who had been trained and received fair wages.
It was their only concern. ”
The nickname "Luddites" comes from the nickname "Ned Ludd", an apocryphal figure who allegedly sabotaged a textile factory in 1779, although historical evidence suggests that this man was most likely a fictional one.
In a 2007 paper, researcher David Linton explained: “Some say that a young man, possibly with cognitive impairment, named Ned Ludd once misunderstood an order and accidentally broke his frame machine.
Others argue that this was done deliberately, in a fit of anger.
Whatever the motive, it seems to have become a joke phrase that whenever the machine breaks, for whatever reason, you can say something like, "Ludd must have been here."
From this construction, it is a short step to the ironic application of the name Ludd to vandalism for political purposes. "
Between 1811 and 1816, the Luddite movement held sporadic and somewhat unorganized protests, characterized by the destruction of cars and the burning of factories.
In response, the mill owners resorted to extreme measures, using deadly force against the Luddites.
In April 1812, there was a grim turning point in Huddersfield, where at least four people died at the hands of the mill owners.
In retaliation, the Luddites killed the owner of the mill, William Horsfall, who boldly declared his intention to "smear himself with Luddite blood to the saddles."
Horsfall was shot while sitting on his horse.
Faced with these uprisings, the government immediately sent thousands of soldiers to quell the protests.
Moreover, they adopted a law according to which the breakdown of cars was subject to the death penalty or sending to colonies.
Subsequently, the movement dissipated, but the stable expression "Luddite" could not accurately convey the ideals and goals of the Luddites.
Previously, Focus wrote about the first IPSO in the history of mankind.
It turns out that it was invented in Babylon and it concerns the Flood.

There are several reasons why someone might be opposed or resistant to new technologies in the 21st century, including the fear of job loss, the potential for technological unemployment, and concerns about the impact of technology on society.

Title:

Content: You will not miss us!
8,008 followers
Why robots will take your job, and what to do - panic or rejoice
Why robots will take away your profession.
Increasingly, you can hear about the challenges posed by automation and cybernization to existing professions today.
And we are talking not only about unmanned vehicles and chatbots replacing call center operators, but also about programs that can calculate bank loans and insurance rates, depriving analysts and, moreover, neural networks that claim to compete with highly qualified and creative employees.
Exemption from routine or danger of unemployment?
A cause for concern or long-awaited freedom?
History of the problem
Mechanisms of ancient times.
Competition has always existed – professions disappeared and arose, people fought for jobs with each other and with technology, philosophers and economists built forecasts and tried to predict the prospects and are still doing it.
For example, you can assess how much automation threatens your profession and how quickly robots will replace you by using Will Robots Take My Job.
Aristotle was the first to think about the possibility of transferring “work ” to machines.
In the first book of his Politics, he suggested that they could evolve to such an extent that the need for human labor would disappear.
For him, quite in line with the views of work at the time, as something distracting from participation in public life and personal development, this was an extremely optimistic forecast.
“Work ” in ancient Greece was considered to be the lot of the lower classes, and the mechanisms would only liberate slaves, considered nothing but“ machines of flesh and blood. ”
The reorientation of the economy to the export of wool led to the introduction of a policy of “enclosures ”.
The real competition of a sufficiently large mass of people technology for the first time was only more than a millennium and a half later in England.
At first, the reorientation of the economy to wool exports led to the introduction of a policy of “fencing ”, in which landlords expelled farmers from the fields in order to free the territory for sheep grazing, which led to the first massive surge of“ unemployment ” – albeit not in the current sense.
The then arising vagrancy and poverty contemporary of these events, the Chancellor of England and philosopher Thomas More described the famous "sheep ate people."
However, after a few decades it became clear that no – not eaten.
The former peasants were absorbed by the growing cities, where they found a new job in textile manufactures, processing the same wool obtained from shearing sheep.
This was the first example of how, by taking away one thing, “technology ” is able to offer something different.
But we must admit: the process of urbanization was painful, the work that replaced the cultivation of land turned out to be hard and dirty, the gap with the traditional way of life was very traumatic, and the population of England as a result of hunger and the fight against vagrancy, which was conducted, including the use of gallows, decreased, according to some estimates by 30% (to understand the scale - the Soviet Union during the Second World War lost "only" 15% of the population).
Workers in a textile factory, late 18th century.
The next episode of the confrontation between people and technology occurred a century later in the same field of light industry - the invention in 1785 by Edmund Cartwright of a mechanical loom increased labor productivity forty times.
Jobs that had just been lost were once again lost.
But again temporarily – after spinning machines, others appeared and all of them demanded new resources, and their extraction – new types of labor.
Manufactures were replaced by factories, and muscle strength by the power of steam obtained from coal.
Machine Destroyers
The Luddite movement.
This time, the changes that occurred were met with bayonets - there was a movement of Luddites.
Sabotage of work and direct action: attacks on factories and the destruction of machines caused a harsh reaction of the state, which sent troops to suppress the “army of Ned Ludd ”.
It is characteristic that no one at the top bothered to convey to the workers the idea that there will still be work for them, even if not the one to which they had time to get used.
The fact is that the “top ” themselves at that time did not think too much about how all this was arranged, and people were perceived as expendable material, while the inertia of consciousness of ordinary workers who had just recovered from the transition from the agrarian to the urban way of life was also very high.
The First Industrial Revolution at the beginning of the 18th century.
The theoretical basis for the interaction of technological innovations and the masses of labor began to be summed up only by economists and philosophers of the middle of the XIX century.
They were the first to suggest that the disappearance of certain types of work in the process of technological development entails the emergence of new ones, and “work ” as a whole is not something final, which may be“ not enough ”.
The First Industrial Revolution was in full swing and the optimism of its apologists only grew stronger over time.
By the end of the century, it seemed that progress would eliminate not only social problems and contradictions, but could also rid humanity of wars.
However, while some spoke of the "Luddite delusion", others spoke of the "enslavement of the masses" and the need to hand over to the "factory workers", predicting that as long as the instruments of production are in the hands of the big proprietors, their employees will remain disenfranchised, and the lack of social security will cause explosions of unemployment at any moment.
Second wave
The Second Industrial Revolution.
The word “unemployment ” came into being at that time.
The fact is that a peasant working in the fields or a craftsman who provides for the needs of himself and the small surrounding community could not face something like this - he himself formed his employment.
When the scheme of selling labor on a strict schedule became mass within the framework of fulfilling a strictly regulated set of duties, the challenge arose to lose such an opportunity.
The Second Industrial Revolution was on the way.
The basics of streaming production were laid at the end of the 19th century, and by the beginning of the 20th century, the combination of Ford ’ s marketing strategy (he invented that the car was not an attribute of the elites, but a mass need) and the conveyor he introduced led to new changes that went beyond factories and factories.
On January 18, 1886, the first car invented by Karl Benz was released.
It was the emergence of technology on the streets of cities that brought a new wave of competition.
Look at the photos of the streets of the beginning of the last century: here they are dammed with carts, among which a lonely clumsy car is trying to maneuver, but ten years later, the only horse frightened by the roar of engines and sobbing of klaxons is clutching to the sidewalks.
Here it will be important to note how unpredictable this jump became: “At the beginning of the 20th century, the French Academy warned about an environmental disaster, which inevitably should lead to the accumulation of horse manure associated with the development of horse-drawn transport in Paris, ” recalls, reasoning about the prediction of the future Stanislav Lem.
However, note: in those regions where human labor is cheaper, technology can not replace it, as we are shown, for example, rickshaws, until recently used their own muscle power and only with a sharp drop in the cost of small vehicles motorized.
A more modern example is “computer rickshaws ” – hundreds of thousands of low-skilled Chinese, hacked captchas all day, because their work costs less than the introduction of scripts.
Technological unemployment
The line of the American unemployed during the Great Depression.
In the 1930s, Maynard Keynes, who gave the world the theory of the “social state ”, from the attempts of which many economies have not recovered so far, introduced the term“ technological unemployment ” into mass circulation.
Since then, the debate about whether the introduction of new technological solutions and opportunities can create a long-term job crisis or whether everything is limited to repurposing, when obsolete professions are replaced by new ones, and it is enough for people to change or improve their skills.
Until the end of the last decade, most experts were inclined to believe that “technological unemployment ” is always a temporary phenomenon, leading to the renewal and improvement of the professionalism of workers.
Mechanical labor was replaced by physical labor, the operator - a profession more status and highly paid than the worker, the reduction of costs leads to the release of time - these are the main theses sounded then.
Pessimistic views remained largely the domain of marginals, such as Theodore Kaczynski, famous for his terrorist struggle against progress under the name of Unabomber and primitive philosophers.
Pessimism
The first full-fledged computer in the USSR BESM-1.
Cautious voices expressing doubts about the correctness of this approach sounded even then.
And if in one of his speeches in 1962, President Kennedy said that “if people are able to invent new machines that take away their jobs, even more so are able to invent new jobs, ” then two years later, a letter from scientists and activists concerned with the problem of technological unemployment, sent to his successor, Lyndon Johnson, stated that“ a revolution in cybernetics will create a separate nation of poor, unskilled unemployed. ”.
Theorists disputed the impossibility of long-term unemployment, as did Martin Ford in the book “Light in the Tunnel: Automation, Acceleration of Technology and the Economy of the Future ” or Marshall Brains in“ Robotic Nation ”.
Gasne-Peter Martin and Harald Schumann, in their Global Trap, describe a society in which the labor of twenty percent of the population is enough for the world economy to continue to develop.
There are those who see it as a threat and a danger, like Paul Krugmann in his article “Sympathy for the Luddites ” or Frey and Osborne in“ The Future of Work. ”
In addition, in practice, it turned out that technology is not so freeing up time – for example, representatives of professions requiring high qualifications, at least in the United States today work more than 30 years ago, and technologies that provide remote access to working tools allow them not to break away from professional tasks and in their “free time ”.
It is also important that new jobs, as it was noticed at the beginning of the XXI century, are created not so much by technology as by the change in the way of life that they entail.
So in the mid-2010s, nine out of ten working people are employed in professions that did not exist a century earlier, but only 5% of the jobs that appeared from 1993 to 2013 are in high-tech areas, such as IT or telecom.
However, the question is whether this does not mean that indirectly they still arise due to technologies that provide an opportunity for development for the service sector.
Is it bad?
A shot from the film "I, Robot" (2004).
Harvard economics professor Lawrence Summers, who previously served as U.S. Treasury Secretary, said in 2014 that he no longer believes that automation will always create new jobs and that it is not some hypothetical possibility in the future; it is something that is emerging now.
In his opinion, the changes will be very global and will lead to mass unemployment not only among low-skilled employees, but also for “blue ” and“ white ” collar workers, because “there are many reasons to think that the software revolution will be even more significant than the agrarian one. ”
The robot prepares food.
However, this is what allows us to look to the future with optimism.
Summers ’ s thought of the meaning of the digital revolution echoes the position of futurologist Alvin Toffler.
As early as 1970, in his book Future Shock, he wrote that by comparing the Digital Revolution with the Industrial Revolution, we downplay its significance and it would be more correct to draw a parallel with the exit of mankind from caves and the transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture and cattle breeding.
Potentially, this means that humanity is on the verge of an unprecedented, unknown written history civilizational leap of colossal proportions.
And, due to the fact that the speed of changes in the world has increased many times and now, the fact that in the case of the end of the Stone Age, took millennia, is being carried out in front of one, a maximum of a couple or three generations, this breakthrough, of course, will be painful.
However, having reviewed the usual way of life, the attitude to it and their values, will not humanity be able to break through to the conditions of life, previously even unimaginable.
"Terminator 2: Judgment Day" (1991).
We are easily accustomed to such changes in “work ” as freelancing and remote work, quite calmly came to a repeated change of professions, instead of a continuous, decades-long“ career ” and even were able to include them in your life, saying that this is the way to find yourself.
So is it not time to begin to accustom ourselves to the idea that, as economic historian Robert Skidelsky said, “Sooner or later we will run out of work ”?
After all, freelancing and remote employment are about freedom, about leaving the “office slavery ” and searching for the way of life that is convenient for us.
Yes, to get used to the idea that the traditional “work ” is over and now we will have to independently invent what to occupy ourselves will not be easy.
It will require responsibility, but it is freedom.
Isn ’ t it time for us, joyfully exclaiming “Glory to the robots! ”, to go in search of our place in the new world?
Why robots will take away your profession.
The fact that it is not only about robots, but also about the “work ” itself and the possibility of life without it, about the risks associated with negative scenarios of confrontation between people and machines and the possibilities of overcoming them, we will talk in the next parts of the cycle.
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For example, the rise of automation and artificial intelligence has led to concerns about the potential for widespread job displacement, with some estimates suggesting that up to 30% of jobs could be at risk of being automated.

Additionally, the increasing use of technology in various industries has led to concerns about the potential for technological unemployment, where workers are replaced by machines or algorithms.

Some people may also be opposed to new technologies due to concerns about their impact on society, such as the potential for increased surveillance, decreased privacy, and increased inequality.

Title:

Content: Blog post

We cannot buy tomorrow — using stories to understand technology change

By Mark P. McDonald | December 03, 2021 | 0 Comments

tech NO logyPersonal ObservationHuman AbilityFuture of High TechDigital Society

The dynamic and accelerating rate of change, disruption, societal concerns, etc can make it difficult to see what it all means, the direction we are heading in.  Speculative fiction is one of the ways that people try to make sense out of what can appear to be senseless.  Gartner instituted a special project called “Stories from Planet B“.  The goal was to use stories and other artifacts to help stakeholders envision preferred and plausible futures in a way that is transformative, inspiring and disrupting.

Here is my story, you can find the others at “Stories from Planet B” on Gartner.com

Enjoy

Mark

YOU CANNOT BUY TOMORROW

Tara sat down, rubbing her leg to work out a cramp she had picked up on the walk from her house. She had delayed this to the last minute. “Can’t turn ten ‘till you talk to the old men,” her brother reminded her.

Tara cleared her throat. “Question: What was it like at the start?“

Response: Project 2207, Darius Senna, aged 105, recalling the founding of Pantos.

The front of the room darkened. “Tara. The name means star,” came a man’s voice from the darkness.

“Dad says it’s also a lubricant that has gone bad, ‘Tar — ahh!’”  The room got even darker.

“We call ourselves Pantos. The fifth wave of Planet B colonists, B5, like the vitamin,” the man’s voice continued.

Darius Senna walked out of the darkness. He was wearing a blue collarless shirt rolled up at the sleeves, dark pants and brown boots. Tara noticed his rough hands, and his face, lined from UV rays. A bench appeared. He sat down.

“We were not the first. The first were the explorers. They discovered Planet B, determined it could support life, and summoned us to our new home. Then came ships, filled with those who could afford to leave Earth behind.”

Senna leaned back. Tara noticed the old style comms implant on his wrist. “Six centuries ago, the English sent ships carrying goldsmiths, jewelers, governors and soldiers to Jamestown. They sought to civilize their ‘new world.’ Likewise, the first ships to Planet B carried engineers bankers, officials — the cream of a curdled civilization.”

Looking out the window, Darius continued: “Those first ships were technological marvels. Gossamer solar sails, filled with technology and terraforming equipment. They landed in the northern hemisphere of Planet B. When their technology failed, they starved, just like the colonists at Jamestown.”

He paused and looked at Tara. “After three more waves, some of them are still around, eating from waste regenerators, asking their tech why it doesn’t work. We don’t see them much. We think about them even less.” Darius leaned forward, clasping his hands, just like Tara’s father did when making a point. “We Pantos understand — the physical world feeds the digital world. When the physical does not work, the digital does not matter.”

“Old Earth technology changed in the early 21st century. It turned inward. It became obsessed with experience, entertainment and consumption.” His face hardened. “Before then, technology had made people’s lives better. Then society went digital, and consumption mattered more.”

Darius unclasped his hands. “Data replaced reason. People focused on themselves. Technology meant looking down at a screen, not up at the world around them. People thought it was wonderful. Screens made them feel better.”

He leaned back. Tara noticed the scar down the inside of his left arm. No one had scars anymore, not since the invention of Dermaplast. Darius saw her staring and, almost under his breath, said: “With their narrow datasets, myopic algorithms and self-centered beliefs, they couldn’t see what was really coming. And they never did.”

“I had just turned twenty-seven,” Darius said. He paused, lost in a memory.

He resumed, “We Pantos are not Luddites. We are some of the finest innovators and engineers humanity has ever known. Old Earth technologies were advanced, but consumptive. They were great for solving little problems. Distributing products instantaneously, keeping their users’ attention, showing each other how successful they were.”

“But when the big problems came, technology could not handle it. The heat, the drought, the pandemics, the inequalities, the authoritarian states. This was the world as it really was, not how it appeared online. Their technologies spent what resources they had, but could not create more. When their inherited wealth dried up, it all fell apart.”

“You know why we Pantos tell each other, ‘You can’t buy …”

“… Tomorrow,” Tara finished. She heard that at least ten times a month.

“Right,” Darius replied. “We say that when it’s time to get to work.”

“The ‘northerners’ brought Earth’s ethos of control and exploitation. Digital entertainment, not physical engagement. They binged on culture as they starved and froze to death. If you go up north you can see the graves of trillionaires, and screens looping videos demonstrating their importance.” Darius went silent.

Tara waited, unsure of what to do next. “If we are not the first, then when did we get here?”

Darius looked Tara directly in the face. “We came in the last wave. We came on outdated ships driven by ions. The ships were cannibalized once we landed on the southern hemisphere, far from the first four failures.”

He smiled, “The first waves came to Planet B in space limos. Pantos came in space beaters.”

“Pantos went to work. Our technology fits our hands, not our eyes. We built our homes, rather than having them printed. Building them ourselves proved we were here to stay. Doing things yourself teaches you the true costs and benefits of your actions.”

He paused for a moment, and said: “Tara, remember to feed the Briax when you get home.”

She knew. Doing builds ownership and responsibility; consuming builds nothing but your waistline.

Darius resumed: “Technology is part of our agency. Planet B sustains life, but we are building a world to ensure our minds stay broad; we think before we act. We make mistakes, like we did at Junction.”

He rubbed the inside of his left arm.

“Failure is acceptable when we learn from it. Unacceptable when it is a cost of doing business, or called an externality.”

“We stay strong, acknowledging challenges and celebrating progress. Technology encourages contribution, not consumption. Contribution brings meaning. Meaning motivates innovation and improvement. If it does not work for all of us, then it does not work well enough for any of us. We have much work to do. You know…”

“You can’t buy tomorrow,” Tara repeated, reflexively.

The room brightened. Senna was gone, as was the bench. A woman’s voice spoke up. “Congratulations, Tara. Welcome to your next decade.”

Tara stood up. As she was leaving, she thought she heard the woman say: “Another turning ten. A blessing.”

“Yes,” came Senna’s reply. “Old enough to understand, and young enough to care.”

The Luddite movement of the 19th century was not just about destroying machinery, but also about protesting against the exploitation of workers and the negative social impacts of industrialization.

Similarly, in the 21st century, some people may be opposed to new technologies because they believe that they are being developed and implemented in ways that prioritize profits over people.

For instance, the development of artificial intelligence and automation has been driven largely by the pursuit of efficiency and cost savings, with little consideration for the potential social impacts.

Furthermore, the increasing use of technology in various industries has led to concerns about the potential for decreased job security, decreased wages, and decreased benefits.

The story of Tara and Darius Senna in Source 2 highlights the importance of considering the social impacts of technological development and ensuring that technology is developed and implemented in ways that prioritize human well-being.

The phrase "you can't buy tomorrow" suggests that we need to think carefully about the long-term consequences of our actions and ensure that we are developing and using technology in ways that will create a better future for all.

In conclusion, the reasons why someone might be opposed or resistant to new technologies in the 21st century are complex and multifaceted, and include concerns about job loss, technological unemployment, and the impact of technology on society.

It is essential to consider these concerns and ensure that technology is developed and implemented in ways that prioritize human well-being and create a better future for all.

The historical context of the Luddite movement highlights the importance of considering the social impacts of technological development and ensuring that technology is developed and implemented in ways that prioritize human well-being.

The 21st century Luddites are not just opposed to technology, but also to the way it is being developed and implemented, and are calling for a more nuanced and considered approach to technological development.

Ultimately, the development and implementation of new technologies must be guided by a commitment to human well-being and a consideration of the potential social impacts.

The example of the Luddite movement of the 19th century highlights the importance of considering the social impacts of technological development and ensuring that technology is developed and implemented in ways that prioritize human well-being.

In the 21st century, the term "Luddite" has taken on a broader meaning, referring to anyone who is opposed to new technology or ways of working.

Similarly, in the 21st century, some people may be opposed to new technologies because they believe that they are being developed and implemented in ways that prioritize profits over people.

Furthermore, the increasing use of technology in various industries has led to concerns about the potential for decreased job security, decreased wages, and decreased benefits.

It is essential to consider these concerns and ensure that technology is developed and implemented in ways that prioritize human well-being and create a better future for all.

Ultimately, the development and implementation of new technologies must be guided by a commitment to human well-being and a consideration of the potential social impacts.


The Mozart Effect is a concept that suggests listening to Mozart's music can temporarily improve cognitive performance, especially in spatial reasoning tasks.

According to recent research, scientists from the University of Vienna have dispelled the myth that Mozart's major sonata KV448 can alleviate the symptoms of epilepsy.

However, other studies have shown that listening to classical music, including Mozart's, can have a positive effect on cognitive performance, particularly in individuals with mild cognitive impairment.

A study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease found that listening to "high-arousal" music, such as Mozart's Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major, can improve memory performance in individuals who use music as an emotional regulator.

The study, which involved 24 participants, found that listening to Mozart's music at a tempo of 120-140 BPM, which is within the range of the sonata, can have a positive effect on cognitive performance.

In fact, research has shown that rats, like humans, prefer a tempo of 120-140 BPM, and can even keep rhythm to Mozart's music.

Overall, while the Mozart Effect may not be as straightforward as previously thought, the evidence suggests that listening to Mozart's music can have a positive impact on cognitive performance, particularly in certain individuals and contexts.

It is worth noting that the type of music and the individual's personal preferences can play a significant role in determining the effectiveness of the Mozart Effect.

Further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between Mozart's music and cognitive performance, but the existing evidence suggests that it can be a useful tool for improving cognitive function.

The Mozart Effect is a concept that suggests listening to Mozart's music can temporarily improve cognitive performance, especially in spatial reasoning tasks.

According to recent research, scientists from the University of Vienna have dispelled the myth that Mozart's major sonata KV448 can alleviate the symptoms of epilepsy.

Title:

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Scientists have dispelled the myth that Mozart ’ s music helps with epilepsy
Scientists from the University of Vienna have dispelled the myth that Mozart ’ s major sonata KV448 can alleviate the symptoms of epilepsy.
The results of the study are presented in the journal Scientific Reports.
According to the authors of the work, they could not find evidence of the above theory.
In the past, it was believed that Mozart ’ s music had many positive effects on a person, for example, it increases the intelligence of the fetus if a pregnant woman listened to it.
Recently, a number of studies have shown that KV448 sonata alleviates symptoms in patients with epilepsy.
In their work, scientists analyzed these studies, as well as other scientific literature.
As it turned out, there is no reliable evidence of the beneficial effect of the melody.
According to the authors, erroneous results could have been obtained due to selective reporting and small samples.
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However, other studies have shown that listening to classical music, including Mozart's, can have a positive effect on cognitive performance, particularly in individuals with mild cognitive impairment.

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Content: 4/25/23 · Research

The beneficial effects of music on memory may depend on how it is listened to

The initial results of the study of the 'Mozart effect' on neurodegeneration show that listening to classical music in the background has no benefits for learning
The research has been carried out with people experiencing mild cognitive impairment, and it did find individual differences when listening to 'high-arousal' music

Listening to 'high-arousal' music could have a positive effect on memory for people who are accustomed to using music as an emotional regulator (Image: Clem Onojeghuo, Unsplash)

Given the lack of effective treatments to counteract cognitive impairment, background music has traditionally been proposed as a possible therapeutic alternative for improving memory-related tasks. Its effect has long been the focus of debate, but this relationship has now been found to be possibly determined by new interindividual parameters, which means that it may be more complex than was previously thought. This is shown by research led by Marco Calabria, a researcher in the Cognitive Neurolab group of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), who is now considering new experiments.

The initial results of the Mozart effect and memory in patients with cognitive impairment (MEM-COG) study, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, suggest that listening to background classical music while performing memory tasks neither improves nor impairs learning levels among people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, listening to more 'high-arousal' music was found to have a possible positive effect on people who are accustomed to using music as an emotional regulator in their everyday lives, which suggests there is potential for further hypotheses and research.

The study, which has been published as open access in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, was carried out with patients at the neuropsychology unit of Barcelona's Hospital de Sant Pau, and involved researchers at the hospital, Montreal's Concordia University and Madrid's Gregorio Marañón Health Research Institute.

There is no universal effect

"We found no general impact concerning the effect of music in terms of whether it had positive or negative effects on learning in cases of MCI, but we did find that it would be modulated for each individual. If people regularly use music as an emotional regulator in their daily life, such as to help them remain calm or for company, they will find it easier to obtain further benefits from music when they have to learn something new," explained Calabria, who has a PhD in Psychobiology.

The subjects of the study were people with mild amnestic cognitive impairment, i.e. they have memory problems as a result of an onset of neurodegeneration that is more specific in the parts of the brain dealing with aspects of learning and memory. The experiments consisted of observing 24 photographs of human faces. Participants were instructed to memorize them, and 10 minutes later, they were asked to look at a new series containing the previous 24 images and 24 new ones, in order to attempt to identify the ones that they had already seen.

A classical choice

The first test was performed with the subjects listening to classical music in the information consolidation phase but not in the recovery phase, while in the second exercise it was repeated with the auditory stimulus during both phases. However, no significant differences were observed in terms of results.

Classical music was used in these exercises because "it's a type of music that falls between relaxing and arousing, and has proven to be the most effective for enhancing memory". Furthermore, the fact that it is instrumental reduces the interference (that can come from lyrics) with the content that the participants have to learn in the memory task.

A ray of light

However, Calabria's team wanted to carry out a third experiment using popular music which was considered arousing rather than relaxing, and after a preliminary study, they used an instrumental version of Un rayo de sol (A ray of light), by the group Los Diablos. In that experiment, according to Calabria, the results suggested that "the use of music as a strategy for mood regulation is associated with better performance in memory tasks."

Ongoing research

This finding opens up the possibility of further research to continue exploring the role of interindividual preferences and attitudes towards music among patients with MCI. The group plans to continue the project until late 2024.

During this time, it will investigate whether background music could be more useful in other cognitive domains, such as in attention and concentration in patients with Parkinson's disease. The experiments will also involve the use of a new infrared spectroscopy device in the Neuro Lab, one of the recently opened new laboratories at the UOC, which will show the activation at the cerebral level while cognitive processes are taking place. This will help to determine whether or not there are any alterations in the brain's modulation, in which areas this takes place, and whether it depends on the type of person studied, regardless of the level of response to music.

In overall terms, this will help to find a type of marker which determines the people most likely to benefit from music in cognitive tasks. "The more we know about how background music shapes cognitive processes, the better the use we can make of music as a therapeutic tool in cognitive stimulation," concluded Calabria, an expert in the study of cognitive processes and a member of teaching staff on the UOC's Master's Degree in Neuropsychology.

This research project receives funding from the Ministry of Science and Innovation of the Government of Spain, and contributes to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 3, Good health and well-being.

Reference article:

Calabria, Marco et al. 'Background Music and Memory in Mild Cognitive Impairment: The Role of Interindividual Differences'. 1 Jan. 2023: 815 – 829. DOI: 10.3233/JAD-221051

Press contact

Sònia Armengou Casanovas
sarmengouc@uoc.edu
+34 619 413 823

UOC R&I

The UOC's research and innovation (R&I) is helping overcome pressing challenges faced by global societies in the 21st century by studying interactions between technology and human & social sciences with a specific focus on the network society, e-learning and e-health.

Over 500 researchers and more than 50 research groups work in the UOC's seven faculties, its eLearning Research programme and its two research centres: the Internet Interdisciplinary Institute (IN3) and the eHealth Center (eHC).

The university also develops online learning innovations at its eLearning Innovation Center (eLinC), as well as UOC community entrepreneurship and knowledge transfer via the Hubbik platform.

Open knowledge and the goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development serve as strategic pillars for the UOC's teaching, research and innovation. More information: research.uoc.edu.

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A study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease found that listening to "high-arousal" music, such as Mozart's Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major, can improve memory performance in individuals who use music as an emotional regulator.

The study, which involved 24 participants, found that listening to Mozart's music at a tempo of 120-140 BPM, which is within the range of the sonata, can have a positive effect on cognitive performance.

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Content: 2022 SU General Election Full Supplement

Illustration by Valery Perez

Rats have more rhythm than you think

By Sheroog Kubur, November 30 2022

Musicians have long sung about the power of music — we’re either slaves to it, losing control or just can’t fight the feeling to get up and dance. Keeping rhythm has been thought to be an exclusively human trait until recently, when a study in Tokyo, Japan discovered that rats are able to keep rhythm as well.

“Rats displayed innate — that is, without any training or prior exposure to music — beat synchronization most distinctly within 120–140 BPM (beats per minute),” said University of Tokyo associate professor Hirokazu Takahashi.

Keeping rhythm is something that had long been considered only a human trait because of the complex motor functions that go into the movements. It involves the speed that the brain is able to respond to something. While there are videos of animals dancing along to songs, like popular videos of birds moving along to the rhythm, this is more likely a case of being trained to respond to the beat than having innate beat synchronization.

Beat synchronization refers to how well we are able to keep in time with a musical beat. The study was conducted at the University of Tokyo and connected 10 rats to wireless, miniature accelerometers to measure their head movements. A one-minute clip of Mozart’s Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major was played at four different tempos, ranging from 75 per cent to 400 per cent of the original song. Twenty humans also participated in the study for comparison.

The song was played at various tempos on the assumption that, because rats already operate at a faster pace in terms of heartbeat and other body functions, they may prefer faster tempos.

However, the results of the study found that rats, much like humans, prefer a tempo of 120-140 BPM. This preference was also observed in the human participants. Mozart’s composition fell within this range at roughly 132 BPM.

“Our results suggest that the optimal tempo for beat synchronization depends on the time constant in the brain,” said Takahashi.

The study also included other pop songs like “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga and “Another One Bites the Dust” by Queen. Beat synchronization in non-human mammals was previously thought to be reactive — akin to jumping to a sudden noise — instead of predictive like in humans. The study suggests that beat synchronicity in rats isn’t purely reactive because of the change in movements alongside the changes in tempos.

“To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on innate beat synchronization in animals that was not achieved through training or musical exposure,” said Takahashi.

This isn’t the first time researchers have looked into the dancing capabilities of animals. Previous research into beat synchronization focused primarily on primates. In 2014, a group of researchers at the University of North Carolina found out that bonobos, a species that shares 98.7 per cent of their DNA with humans, were able to match the beat of drumming scientists with their own drumming. A 2013 study found that chimpanzees also display the ability to synchronize their movements with a beat as well. Researchers at the University of California found that the California sea lion is also able to bob its head along to a rhythm. In October of this year, a team discovered that harbour seals are also able to keep track of different rhythms.

The Tokyo research team plans on looking further into the effects of music and harmony on the human brain. Takahashi has expressed interest in music as it leads to a happier life and mechanisms that create cultural centres in the brain such as art and music.

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In fact, research has shown that rats, like humans, prefer a tempo of 120-140 BPM, and can even keep rhythm to Mozart's music.

Overall, while the Mozart Effect may not be as straightforward as previously thought, the evidence suggests that listening to Mozart's music can have a positive impact on cognitive performance, particularly in certain individuals and contexts.

It is worth noting that the type of music and the individual's personal preferences can play a significant role in determining the effectiveness of the Mozart Effect.

Title:

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Inicio » English » Inspiration » The Sound of Success: Ideas in Music for Concentration and Productivity

The Sound of Success: Ideas in Music for Concentration and Productivity

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Does music help you concentrate? Since we spend a lot of time in front of computers trying to finish our work, wouldn’t it be nice to listen to some of music to help concentrate? Well, music lovers, it seems like Mozart and Beethoven could actually help you with your productivity. Beethoven once said: «Music is where the spirit lives, thinks and invents.»

This relationship between music and the brain is an area that has been intensively explored in research. Many studies point to the ability of music to help employees be more productive and help children in their learning process more effectively. University research in France found that students who listened to music for an hour while reading, scored significantly higher on a questionnaire compared to a group of students who read without music.

Your attention span is better when listening to music

It seems that music for concentration puts students in a heightened emotional state, so that they can be more receptive to information. «It is possible that music causes a change in the learning environment and influenced students’ motivation to stay focused while reading, which led to better performance on a multiple-choice questionnaire,» concluded the french research team in a recent article.

But before you start playing any type, you have to find the music that works better for the type of work you are trying to carry do. For example, the classic from the Baroque period is said to do wonders for brain activity when you are studying or writing. But not all classical music is created equal, so dramatic changes and complicated fugue changes may not be as conducive as a smooth piano piece. So if you have to choose a composer, we would say Mozart. There seems to be evidence that Mozart’s improves mental performance: it is called «The Mozart Effect”.

Build a harmonious space

If you don’t like classical, the discreet sound found in ambient music may work well for you instead. What is the purpose of this if you are not at the airport, you ask? Well, for creative purposes, it’s better than emptiness and silence. According to one of its pioneers, musician Brian Eno: “Background music must be able to accommodate many levels of attention when listening, without forcing one in particular. It must be as ignorable as it is interesting ”.

In fact, researchers have shown that a moderate level of noise, such as that found in the environment, can actually get creative juices flowing. Music with especially low-lows or especially high-highs should be avoided. Certain types of jazz instrumental melodies can also get your brain working.

Music without lyrics

In general, if you are doing work that requires writing, you should avoid listening to music with lyrics as the words in a song are especially destructive to your concentration. Since hearing words activates the brain’s language center, attempting to perform tasks related to another language would be like trying to have a conversation while someone else is speaking to you. But, if you are a cartoonist, and you don’t deal with sentence construction, hearing letters may not have the same effect.

Finally, studies show that listening to music you’re already familiar with may be better if you really need to focus. New songs take you into the unknown and your brain will want to listen closely to see what comes next. With the music you are familiar with you know what to expect, so it doesn’t distract you from your work. And if you like the tune you’re listening to try not to whistle it while you work, as that will only distract you.

The post The Sound of Success: Ideas in Music for Concentration and Productivity appeared first on Mundo Hispanico

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Further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between Mozart's music and cognitive performance, but the existing evidence suggests that it can be a useful tool for improving cognitive function.


The Mozart Effect is a phenomenon that suggests listening to Mozart's music can temporarily improve cognitive performance, particularly in spatial reasoning tasks.

This idea has been extensively researched, with some studies indicating a positive correlation between listening to Mozart's music and improved cognitive function.

One of the most commonly cited examples of the Mozart Effect is the improvement in spatial reasoning tasks after listening to Mozart's Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major.

However, recent research has called into question the validity of the Mozart Effect, with some studies finding no significant improvement in cognitive performance after listening to Mozart's music.

A study published in the journal Scientific Reports found that there was no reliable evidence to support the claim that Mozart's music had a beneficial effect on cognitive function.

The study analyzed previous research on the topic and found that the results were likely due to selective reporting and small sample sizes.

In contrast, another study found that listening to classical music, including Mozart, can improve memory and cognitive function in individuals with mild cognitive impairment.

The study found that listening to classical music improved memory performance in individuals who regularly used music as an emotional regulator.

The researchers suggested that the beneficial effects of music on memory may depend on how it is listened to, with individual differences playing a significant role.

A study conducted at the University of Tokyo found that rats were able to keep rhythm with Mozart's music, with a preference for tempos between 120-140 beats per minute.

The study used a one-minute clip of Mozart's Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major and found that the rats' head movements synchronized with the music.

The researchers suggested that the optimal tempo for beat synchronization depends on the time constant in the brain.

Another study found that listening to music without lyrics can improve cognitive performance, as the absence of lyrics reduces distractions and allows for better focus.

The study suggested that music with a moderate level of noise, such as ambient music, can also improve cognitive function.

In terms of specific data, a study found that students who listened to music while reading scored significantly higher on a questionnaire than students who read without music.

The study found that music can improve attention span and put students in a heightened emotional state, making them more receptive to information.

However, the study also noted that not all classical music is created equal, and that dramatic changes and complicated fugue changes may not be as conducive to improved cognitive function as smoother music.

Overall, the research suggests that the Mozart Effect is a complex phenomenon that may depend on a variety of factors, including the type of music, the individual's personality and preferences, and the context in which the music is listened to.

While some studies have found a positive correlation between listening to Mozart's music and improved cognitive function, others have found no significant effect.

Therefore, it is essential to approach the topic with a nuanced and evidence-based perspective, recognizing both the potential benefits and limitations of the Mozart Effect.

The Mozart Effect has been found to be associated with improved cognitive performance in certain individuals, particularly those with mild cognitive impairment.

However, the effect may not be universal and may depend on individual differences and the context in which the music is listened to.

Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms underlying the Mozart Effect and to determine its potential applications in fields such as education and cognitive therapy.

In conclusion, the Mozart Effect is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that requires careful consideration of the available evidence.

While the research suggests that listening to Mozart's music may have some cognitive benefits, it is essential to approach the topic with a critical and nuanced perspective, recognizing both the potential benefits and limitations of the Mozart Effect.

The Mozart Effect is a phenomenon that suggests listening to Mozart's music can temporarily improve cognitive performance, particularly in spatial reasoning tasks.

This idea has been extensively researched, with some studies indicating a positive correlation between listening to Mozart's music and improved cognitive function.

Title:

Content: Search

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Inicio » English » Inspiration » The Sound of Success: Ideas in Music for Concentration and Productivity

The Sound of Success: Ideas in Music for Concentration and Productivity

Suscríbete a Nuestro Boletín
Recibe por email las noticias más destacadas

Does music help you concentrate? Since we spend a lot of time in front of computers trying to finish our work, wouldn’t it be nice to listen to some of music to help concentrate? Well, music lovers, it seems like Mozart and Beethoven could actually help you with your productivity. Beethoven once said: «Music is where the spirit lives, thinks and invents.»

This relationship between music and the brain is an area that has been intensively explored in research. Many studies point to the ability of music to help employees be more productive and help children in their learning process more effectively. University research in France found that students who listened to music for an hour while reading, scored significantly higher on a questionnaire compared to a group of students who read without music.

Your attention span is better when listening to music

It seems that music for concentration puts students in a heightened emotional state, so that they can be more receptive to information. «It is possible that music causes a change in the learning environment and influenced students’ motivation to stay focused while reading, which led to better performance on a multiple-choice questionnaire,» concluded the french research team in a recent article.

But before you start playing any type, you have to find the music that works better for the type of work you are trying to carry do. For example, the classic from the Baroque period is said to do wonders for brain activity when you are studying or writing. But not all classical music is created equal, so dramatic changes and complicated fugue changes may not be as conducive as a smooth piano piece. So if you have to choose a composer, we would say Mozart. There seems to be evidence that Mozart’s improves mental performance: it is called «The Mozart Effect”.

Build a harmonious space

If you don’t like classical, the discreet sound found in ambient music may work well for you instead. What is the purpose of this if you are not at the airport, you ask? Well, for creative purposes, it’s better than emptiness and silence. According to one of its pioneers, musician Brian Eno: “Background music must be able to accommodate many levels of attention when listening, without forcing one in particular. It must be as ignorable as it is interesting ”.

In fact, researchers have shown that a moderate level of noise, such as that found in the environment, can actually get creative juices flowing. Music with especially low-lows or especially high-highs should be avoided. Certain types of jazz instrumental melodies can also get your brain working.

Music without lyrics

In general, if you are doing work that requires writing, you should avoid listening to music with lyrics as the words in a song are especially destructive to your concentration. Since hearing words activates the brain’s language center, attempting to perform tasks related to another language would be like trying to have a conversation while someone else is speaking to you. But, if you are a cartoonist, and you don’t deal with sentence construction, hearing letters may not have the same effect.

Finally, studies show that listening to music you’re already familiar with may be better if you really need to focus. New songs take you into the unknown and your brain will want to listen closely to see what comes next. With the music you are familiar with you know what to expect, so it doesn’t distract you from your work. And if you like the tune you’re listening to try not to whistle it while you work, as that will only distract you.

The post The Sound of Success: Ideas in Music for Concentration and Productivity appeared first on Mundo Hispanico

Etiquetas: ,
Related post
Regresar al Inicio

One of the most commonly cited examples of the Mozart Effect is the improvement in spatial reasoning tasks after listening to Mozart's Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major.

However, recent research has called into question the validity of the Mozart Effect, with some studies finding no significant improvement in cognitive performance after listening to Mozart's music.

Title:

Content: Gazeta.ru on desktop
for quick access
Install
Not now
Scientists have dispelled the myth that Mozart ’ s music helps with epilepsy
Scientists from the University of Vienna have dispelled the myth that Mozart ’ s major sonata KV448 can alleviate the symptoms of epilepsy.
The results of the study are presented in the journal Scientific Reports.
According to the authors of the work, they could not find evidence of the above theory.
In the past, it was believed that Mozart ’ s music had many positive effects on a person, for example, it increases the intelligence of the fetus if a pregnant woman listened to it.
Recently, a number of studies have shown that KV448 sonata alleviates symptoms in patients with epilepsy.
In their work, scientists analyzed these studies, as well as other scientific literature.
As it turned out, there is no reliable evidence of the beneficial effect of the melody.
According to the authors, erroneous results could have been obtained due to selective reporting and small samples.
Share:
Downloading
Found a bug?
Close

A study published in the journal Scientific Reports found that there was no reliable evidence to support the claim that Mozart's music had a beneficial effect on cognitive function.

The study analyzed previous research on the topic and found that the results were likely due to selective reporting and small sample sizes.

In contrast, another study found that listening to classical music, including Mozart, can improve memory and cognitive function in individuals with mild cognitive impairment.

Title:

Content: 4/25/23 · Research

The beneficial effects of music on memory may depend on how it is listened to

The initial results of the study of the 'Mozart effect' on neurodegeneration show that listening to classical music in the background has no benefits for learning
The research has been carried out with people experiencing mild cognitive impairment, and it did find individual differences when listening to 'high-arousal' music

Listening to 'high-arousal' music could have a positive effect on memory for people who are accustomed to using music as an emotional regulator (Image: Clem Onojeghuo, Unsplash)

Given the lack of effective treatments to counteract cognitive impairment, background music has traditionally been proposed as a possible therapeutic alternative for improving memory-related tasks. Its effect has long been the focus of debate, but this relationship has now been found to be possibly determined by new interindividual parameters, which means that it may be more complex than was previously thought. This is shown by research led by Marco Calabria, a researcher in the Cognitive Neurolab group of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), who is now considering new experiments.

The initial results of the Mozart effect and memory in patients with cognitive impairment (MEM-COG) study, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, suggest that listening to background classical music while performing memory tasks neither improves nor impairs learning levels among people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, listening to more 'high-arousal' music was found to have a possible positive effect on people who are accustomed to using music as an emotional regulator in their everyday lives, which suggests there is potential for further hypotheses and research.

The study, which has been published as open access in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, was carried out with patients at the neuropsychology unit of Barcelona's Hospital de Sant Pau, and involved researchers at the hospital, Montreal's Concordia University and Madrid's Gregorio Marañón Health Research Institute.

There is no universal effect

"We found no general impact concerning the effect of music in terms of whether it had positive or negative effects on learning in cases of MCI, but we did find that it would be modulated for each individual. If people regularly use music as an emotional regulator in their daily life, such as to help them remain calm or for company, they will find it easier to obtain further benefits from music when they have to learn something new," explained Calabria, who has a PhD in Psychobiology.

The subjects of the study were people with mild amnestic cognitive impairment, i.e. they have memory problems as a result of an onset of neurodegeneration that is more specific in the parts of the brain dealing with aspects of learning and memory. The experiments consisted of observing 24 photographs of human faces. Participants were instructed to memorize them, and 10 minutes later, they were asked to look at a new series containing the previous 24 images and 24 new ones, in order to attempt to identify the ones that they had already seen.

A classical choice

The first test was performed with the subjects listening to classical music in the information consolidation phase but not in the recovery phase, while in the second exercise it was repeated with the auditory stimulus during both phases. However, no significant differences were observed in terms of results.

Classical music was used in these exercises because "it's a type of music that falls between relaxing and arousing, and has proven to be the most effective for enhancing memory". Furthermore, the fact that it is instrumental reduces the interference (that can come from lyrics) with the content that the participants have to learn in the memory task.

A ray of light

However, Calabria's team wanted to carry out a third experiment using popular music which was considered arousing rather than relaxing, and after a preliminary study, they used an instrumental version of Un rayo de sol (A ray of light), by the group Los Diablos. In that experiment, according to Calabria, the results suggested that "the use of music as a strategy for mood regulation is associated with better performance in memory tasks."

Ongoing research

This finding opens up the possibility of further research to continue exploring the role of interindividual preferences and attitudes towards music among patients with MCI. The group plans to continue the project until late 2024.

During this time, it will investigate whether background music could be more useful in other cognitive domains, such as in attention and concentration in patients with Parkinson's disease. The experiments will also involve the use of a new infrared spectroscopy device in the Neuro Lab, one of the recently opened new laboratories at the UOC, which will show the activation at the cerebral level while cognitive processes are taking place. This will help to determine whether or not there are any alterations in the brain's modulation, in which areas this takes place, and whether it depends on the type of person studied, regardless of the level of response to music.

In overall terms, this will help to find a type of marker which determines the people most likely to benefit from music in cognitive tasks. "The more we know about how background music shapes cognitive processes, the better the use we can make of music as a therapeutic tool in cognitive stimulation," concluded Calabria, an expert in the study of cognitive processes and a member of teaching staff on the UOC's Master's Degree in Neuropsychology.

This research project receives funding from the Ministry of Science and Innovation of the Government of Spain, and contributes to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 3, Good health and well-being.

Reference article:

Calabria, Marco et al. 'Background Music and Memory in Mild Cognitive Impairment: The Role of Interindividual Differences'. 1 Jan. 2023: 815 – 829. DOI: 10.3233/JAD-221051

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Sònia Armengou Casanovas
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+34 619 413 823

UOC R&I

The UOC's research and innovation (R&I) is helping overcome pressing challenges faced by global societies in the 21st century by studying interactions between technology and human & social sciences with a specific focus on the network society, e-learning and e-health.

Over 500 researchers and more than 50 research groups work in the UOC's seven faculties, its eLearning Research programme and its two research centres: the Internet Interdisciplinary Institute (IN3) and the eHealth Center (eHC).

The university also develops online learning innovations at its eLearning Innovation Center (eLinC), as well as UOC community entrepreneurship and knowledge transfer via the Hubbik platform.

Open knowledge and the goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development serve as strategic pillars for the UOC's teaching, research and innovation. More information: research.uoc.edu.

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The study found that listening to classical music improved memory performance in individuals who regularly used music as an emotional regulator.

The researchers suggested that the beneficial effects of music on memory may depend on how it is listened to, with individual differences playing a significant role.

A study conducted at the University of Tokyo found that rats were able to keep rhythm with Mozart's music, with a preference for tempos between 120-140 beats per minute.

Title:

Content: 2022 SU General Election Full Supplement

Illustration by Valery Perez

Rats have more rhythm than you think

By Sheroog Kubur, November 30 2022

Musicians have long sung about the power of music — we’re either slaves to it, losing control or just can’t fight the feeling to get up and dance. Keeping rhythm has been thought to be an exclusively human trait until recently, when a study in Tokyo, Japan discovered that rats are able to keep rhythm as well.

“Rats displayed innate — that is, without any training or prior exposure to music — beat synchronization most distinctly within 120–140 BPM (beats per minute),” said University of Tokyo associate professor Hirokazu Takahashi.

Keeping rhythm is something that had long been considered only a human trait because of the complex motor functions that go into the movements. It involves the speed that the brain is able to respond to something. While there are videos of animals dancing along to songs, like popular videos of birds moving along to the rhythm, this is more likely a case of being trained to respond to the beat than having innate beat synchronization.

Beat synchronization refers to how well we are able to keep in time with a musical beat. The study was conducted at the University of Tokyo and connected 10 rats to wireless, miniature accelerometers to measure their head movements. A one-minute clip of Mozart’s Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major was played at four different tempos, ranging from 75 per cent to 400 per cent of the original song. Twenty humans also participated in the study for comparison.

The song was played at various tempos on the assumption that, because rats already operate at a faster pace in terms of heartbeat and other body functions, they may prefer faster tempos.

However, the results of the study found that rats, much like humans, prefer a tempo of 120-140 BPM. This preference was also observed in the human participants. Mozart’s composition fell within this range at roughly 132 BPM.

“Our results suggest that the optimal tempo for beat synchronization depends on the time constant in the brain,” said Takahashi.

The study also included other pop songs like “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga and “Another One Bites the Dust” by Queen. Beat synchronization in non-human mammals was previously thought to be reactive — akin to jumping to a sudden noise — instead of predictive like in humans. The study suggests that beat synchronicity in rats isn’t purely reactive because of the change in movements alongside the changes in tempos.

“To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on innate beat synchronization in animals that was not achieved through training or musical exposure,” said Takahashi.

This isn’t the first time researchers have looked into the dancing capabilities of animals. Previous research into beat synchronization focused primarily on primates. In 2014, a group of researchers at the University of North Carolina found out that bonobos, a species that shares 98.7 per cent of their DNA with humans, were able to match the beat of drumming scientists with their own drumming. A 2013 study found that chimpanzees also display the ability to synchronize their movements with a beat as well. Researchers at the University of California found that the California sea lion is also able to bob its head along to a rhythm. In October of this year, a team discovered that harbour seals are also able to keep track of different rhythms.

The Tokyo research team plans on looking further into the effects of music and harmony on the human brain. Takahashi has expressed interest in music as it leads to a happier life and mechanisms that create cultural centres in the brain such as art and music.

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The Gauntlet

The study used a one-minute clip of Mozart's Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major and found that the rats' head movements synchronized with the music.

The researchers suggested that the optimal tempo for beat synchronization depends on the time constant in the brain.

Another study found that listening to music without lyrics can improve cognitive performance, as the absence of lyrics reduces distractions and allows for better focus.

The study suggested that music with a moderate level of noise, such as ambient music, can also improve cognitive function.

In terms of specific data, a study found that students who listened to music while reading scored significantly higher on a questionnaire than students who read without music.

The study found that music can improve attention span and put students in a heightened emotional state, making them more receptive to information.

However, the study also noted that not all classical music is created equal, and that dramatic changes and complicated fugue changes may not be as conducive to improved cognitive function as smoother music.

Overall, the research suggests that the Mozart Effect is a complex phenomenon that may depend on a variety of factors, including the type of music, the individual's personality and preferences, and the context in which the music is listened to.

While some studies have found a positive correlation between listening to Mozart's music and improved cognitive function, others have found no significant effect.

Therefore, it is essential to approach the topic with a nuanced and evidence-based perspective, recognizing both the potential benefits and limitations of the Mozart Effect.

The Mozart Effect has been found to be associated with improved cognitive performance in certain individuals, particularly those with mild cognitive impairment.

However, the effect may not be universal and may depend on individual differences and the context in which the music is listened to.

Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms underlying the Mozart Effect and to determine its potential applications in fields such as education and cognitive therapy.

In conclusion, the Mozart Effect is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that requires careful consideration of the available evidence.

While the research suggests that listening to Mozart's music may have some cognitive benefits, it is essential to approach the topic with a critical and nuanced perspective, recognizing both the potential benefits and limitations of the Mozart Effect.


Cats were highly valued in ancient Egypt due to their spiritual connections and the important role they played in the society.

The Egyptians believed that cats had a special sacred gift that helped them protect their homes and owners from unfavorable energies.

In Egyptian mythology, cats were considered sacred animals associated with the goddess Bastet, who symbolized well-being, joy, love, and fertility.

The goddess Bastet was often depicted as a cat or a woman with a cat's head, emphasizing the special status of cats in the eyes of the Egyptians.

Cats were also revered for their ability to exterminate rodents, which was critical for preserving grain stocks, then considered valuable as gold.

The Egyptians even believed that cats had the ability to see in the dark, earning them the nickname "sunny eye".

When a family cat died, the Egyptians would shave their eyebrows as a sign of mourning, demonstrating the deep emotional connection they had with their feline companions.

The importance of cats in ancient Egyptian culture is further evident in the fact that they were often mummified and buried with their owners, emphasizing their belief in the cat's ability to provide protection and companionship in the afterlife.

The mummification of cats was an integral part of the Egyptian religious practice, highlighting the special status of these creatures in the eyes of the Egyptians.

Overall, the spiritual connections, importance in society, and emotional bonds between cats and their owners made them highly valued in ancient Egypt.

Cats were highly valued in ancient Egypt due to their spiritual connections and the important role they played in the society.

The Egyptians believed that cats had a special sacred gift that helped them protect their homes and owners from unfavorable energies.

Title:

Content: As before, cats were used to ward off evil spirits: try it yourself
Where did the idea that cats ward off evil spirits come from?
1: 39
Since ancient times, cats have been famous for their mystery and special abilities.
In the world of folklore and legends, they often act as protectors against evil spirits and evil forces.
In antiquity and the Middle Ages it was believed that cats have a special sacred gift that helps them protect their homes and their owners from unfavorable energies.
In Egyptian mythology, cats were considered sacred animals associated with the goddess Bastet.
They were depicted as defenders of the home, as well as patrons of the family.
In medieval Europe, cats were often associated with magic and witchcraft, leading to their persecution during the Inquisition.
However, among the peoples of Scandinavia and Great Britain, cats were often seen as a symbol of protection from evil spirits.
In Scandinavian mythology, cats were considered companions of warriors and guides of souls of the dead on Asgard.
They were also supposed to be able to see hidden worlds and predict the future.
In the English folklore tradition, the black cat was considered a symbol of good luck and protection from evil spirits.
In medieval England, it was even believed that the owners of black cats have a special charm and protection from misfortune.
In Scotland, it was believed that if a black cat visits a house, it brings good luck and well-being to the family.
Traditions and legends about the protective power of cats are preserved in the modern world.
Many people still consider their furry friends not only faithful companions, but also mystical guardians, able to scare away evil spirits and bring harmony to the house.
Author Ilya Panferov
Ilya Panferov — freelance correspondent of Pravda.Ru

In Egyptian mythology, cats were considered sacred animals associated with the goddess Bastet, who symbolized well-being, joy, love, and fertility.

The goddess Bastet was often depicted as a cat or a woman with a cat's head, emphasizing the special status of cats in the eyes of the Egyptians.

Title:

Content: The mummy of a pet: why and why did the ancient Egyptians do this?
1: 43
The Egyptians showed special respect for their pets, their love was so great that they wanted these animals to have eternal life.
After death, pets were mummified and went through a complex burial process.
In ancient Egyptian worldview, four-legged and feathered creatures were considered sacred, divine and influencing their destinies.
They occupied an honorable place in the pantheon, and the gods were often depicted with animal heads.
Mummification was an integral part of this religious practice, emphasizing the special status of these creatures in the eyes of the Egyptians.
The Egyptians mummified various animals, believing that their gods could take different forms.
For example, the goddess Bast, the daughter of Ra, was depicted as a cat or a woman with a cat ’ s head.
This goddess symbolized well-being, joy, love and fertility.
The Egyptians especially revered cats for their ability to exterminate rodents, which was critical for preserving grain stocks, then considered valuable as gold.
Cats have also earned the nickname “sunny eye ” due to their ability to see in the dark.
This property made them important symbols in Egyptian mythology.
Archaeological studies conducted at the ancient Egyptian necropolis of Qubbet el-Hawa have uncovered the burial of crocodiles, one of which has been preserved in the form of a practically whole mummy, providing a unique look at the ancient rites and veneration of animals in this culture.
Author Petr Deryabin
Petr Deryabin – journalist, correspondent of Pravda.Ru news service

Cats were also revered for their ability to exterminate rodents, which was critical for preserving grain stocks, then considered valuable as gold.

The Egyptians even believed that cats had the ability to see in the dark, earning them the nickname "sunny eye".

When a family cat died, the Egyptians would shave their eyebrows as a sign of mourning, demonstrating the deep emotional connection they had with their feline companions.

The importance of cats in ancient Egyptian culture is further evident in the fact that they were often mummified and buried with their owners, emphasizing their belief in the cat's ability to provide protection and companionship in the afterlife.

The mummification of cats was an integral part of the Egyptian religious practice, highlighting the special status of these creatures in the eyes of the Egyptians.

Overall, the spiritual connections, importance in society, and emotional bonds between cats and their owners made them highly valued in ancient Egypt.