so this is a story about your brain it’s really going to be two stories today the
really going to be two stories today the
really going to be two stories today the first is about what happens to your
first is about what happens to your
first is about what happens to your brain when you try to do two things at
brain when you try to do two things at
brain when you try to do two things at the same time both of which seems simple
the same time both of which seems simple
the same time both of which seems simple but in combination can produce deadly
but in combination can produce deadly
but in combination can produce deadly results the second story is about what
results the second story is about what
results the second story is about what happens when you trade the technological
happens when you trade the technological
happens when you trade the technological for the natural now we’re gonna start
for the natural now we’re gonna start
for the natural now we’re gonna start with the first story but in preparation
with the first story but in preparation
with the first story but in preparation for the second I want to give you a
for the second I want to give you a
for the second I want to give you a little task what you see up here is a
little task what you see up here is a
little task what you see up here is a task of creativity your task is to think
task of creativity your task is to think
task of creativity your task is to think of these three words same tennis and
of these three words same tennis and
of these three words same tennis and head and try to think of one word that
head and try to think of one word that
head and try to think of one word that goes with all three that one word might
goes with all three that one word might
goes with all three that one word might be part of a word compound it might be
be part of a word compound it might be
be part of a word compound it might be conceptually similar but I guarantee you
conceptually similar but I guarantee you
conceptually similar but I guarantee you that there is one word that joins all
that there is one word that joins all
that there is one word that joins all three of these together we’ll come back
three of these together we’ll come back
three of these together we’ll come back to that one a little bit later I’ll give
to that one a little bit later I’ll give
to that one a little bit later I’ll give you some time to think about it over the
you some time to think about it over the
you some time to think about it over the past twenty seven years I’ve dedicated
past twenty seven years I’ve dedicated
past twenty seven years I’ve dedicated my life to trying to understand how we
my life to trying to understand how we
my life to trying to understand how we use our brain to navigate through the
use our brain to navigate through the
use our brain to navigate through the environment that we live in I work with
environment that we live in I work with
environment that we live in I work with pedestrians drivers and pilots to try to
pedestrians drivers and pilots to try to
pedestrians drivers and pilots to try to understand how our vision and attention
understand how our vision and attention
understand how our vision and attention systems help us move about this very
systems help us move about this very
systems help us move about this very complex world that we live in and for
complex world that we live in and for
complex world that we live in and for the last 17 years I’ve been dedicated to
the last 17 years I’ve been dedicated to
the last 17 years I’ve been dedicated to a very specific issue and that issue has
a very specific issue and that issue has
a very specific issue and that issue has been the issue of distracted driving
been the issue of distracted driving
been the issue of distracted driving because as we move around our
because as we move around our
because as we move around our environment there’s probably nothing
environment there’s probably nothing
environment there’s probably nothing more important than driving 94% of
more important than driving 94% of
more important than driving 94% of crashes on our roadways today are due to
crashes on our roadways today are due to
crashes on our roadways today are due to human error and understanding how our
human error and understanding how our
human error and understanding how our brain works in that very special
brain works in that very special
brain works in that very special environment is critical to our safety
environment is critical to our safety
environment is critical to our safety health and well-being now there’s no
health and well-being now there’s no
health and well-being now there’s no question I think everyone understands
question I think everyone understands
question I think everyone understands that distraction is killing us when we
that distraction is killing us when we
that distraction is killing us when we think about all of the fatalities on the
think about all of the fatalities on the
think about all of the fatalities on the roadways in the United States we start
roadways in the United States we start
roadways in the United States we start to begin to understand why our brain is
to begin to understand why our brain is
to begin to understand why our brain is so important we lose about 40,000 people
so important we lose about 40,000 people
so important we lose about 40,000 people every year on our roads in the United
every year on our roads in the United
every year on our roads in the United States and there’s certainly not the
States and there’s certainly not the
States and there’s certainly not the safest in the world amongst
safest in the world amongst
safest in the world amongst industrialized countries and there are
industrialized countries and there are
industrialized countries and there are some estimates by groups like the
some estimates by groups like the
some estimates by groups like the National Safety Council that one-quarter
National Safety Council that one-quarter
National Safety Council that one-quarter of those people are dying because people
of those people are dying because people
of those people are dying because people are using their phones while driving
are using their phones while driving
are using their phones while driving and you don’t need to see this yourself
and you don’t need to see this yourself
and you don’t need to see this yourself though you might have to really
though you might have to really
though you might have to really understand how compelling these devices
understand how compelling these devices
understand how compelling these devices are this is a picture that one of my
are this is a picture that one of my
are this is a picture that one of my students sent me and then she quickly
students sent me and then she quickly
students sent me and then she quickly wrote back and said oh no Mike my
wrote back and said oh no Mike my
wrote back and said oh no Mike my boyfriend took it while I was driving I
boyfriend took it while I was driving I
boyfriend took it while I was driving I didn’t take the picture but you see
didn’t take the picture but you see
didn’t take the picture but you see someone here that’s that’s engaged in
someone here that’s that’s engaged in
someone here that’s that’s engaged in kind of a paradox right this is someone
kind of a paradox right this is someone
kind of a paradox right this is someone who’s doing something very dangerous
who’s doing something very dangerous
who’s doing something very dangerous they’re riding a motorcycle and they’re
they’re riding a motorcycle and they’re
they’re riding a motorcycle and they’re doing something equally dangerous
doing something equally dangerous
doing something equally dangerous they’re doing it in hands-free and ice
they’re doing it in hands-free and ice
they’re doing it in hands-free and ice cream mode and at the same time this
cream mode and at the same time this
cream mode and at the same time this individual is wearing a helmet and they
individual is wearing a helmet and they
individual is wearing a helmet and they have a safety strap around the rucksack
have a safety strap around the rucksack
have a safety strap around the rucksack so in one case they’re being safe and on
so in one case they’re being safe and on
so in one case they’re being safe and on the other they’re being wildly unsafe
the other they’re being wildly unsafe
the other they’re being wildly unsafe and I think understanding this and how
and I think understanding this and how
and I think understanding this and how compelling these devices are is really
compelling these devices are is really
compelling these devices are is really critical for all of us as we’re trying
critical for all of us as we’re trying
critical for all of us as we’re trying to move around a world safely now what’s
to move around a world safely now what’s
to move around a world safely now what’s interesting about this is this really
interesting about this is this really
interesting about this is this really isn’t a new research problem for people
isn’t a new research problem for people
isn’t a new research problem for people like me in fact the first studies of
like me in fact the first studies of
like me in fact the first studies of this particular issue using phones while
this particular issue using phones while
this particular issue using phones while driving was published in 1969 which
driving was published in 1969 which
driving was published in 1969 which means the advisor and a grad student
means the advisor and a grad student
means the advisor and a grad student were probably doing this work when I was
were probably doing this work when I was
were probably doing this work when I was born in 1967 what that means is that
born in 1967 what that means is that
born in 1967 what that means is that we’ve been doing research on this issue
we’ve been doing research on this issue
we’ve been doing research on this issue for over 50 years and when I tell you
for over 50 years and when I tell you
for over 50 years and when I tell you today and make the claim that using your
today and make the claim that using your
today and make the claim that using your phone while you’re driving in any manner
phone while you’re driving in any manner
phone while you’re driving in any manner hands-free touching it texting just
hands-free touching it texting just
hands-free touching it texting just talking is at best equivalent to driving
talking is at best equivalent to driving
talking is at best equivalent to driving drunk I’m not saying it based upon a few
drunk I’m not saying it based upon a few
drunk I’m not saying it based upon a few studies I’m saying it based upon
studies I’m saying it based upon
studies I’m saying it based upon numerous studies and numerous
numerous studies and numerous
numerous studies and numerous methodologies that we’ve been using over
methodologies that we’ve been using over
methodologies that we’ve been using over 50 years two of the best studies that I
50 years two of the best studies that I
50 years two of the best studies that I think really illustrate how much of a
think really illustrate how much of a
think really illustrate how much of a problem this is are what are called
problem this is are what are called
problem this is are what are called epidemiological studies there are
epidemiological studies there are
epidemiological studies there are studies where people were actually in
studies where people were actually in
studies where people were actually in crashes in one case the crashes led to a
crashes in one case the crashes led to a
crashes in one case the crashes led to a visit to the emergency room in another
visit to the emergency room in another
visit to the emergency room in another case it did not the crashes were in
case it did not the crashes were in
case it did not the crashes were in different countries these studies were
different countries these studies were
different countries these studies were done by different researchers but the
done by different researchers but the
done by different researchers but the bottom line is across both studies they
bottom line is across both studies they
bottom line is across both studies they found exactly the same thing you are
found exactly the same thing you are
found exactly the same thing you are four times or more more likely to be in
four times or more more likely to be in
four times or more more likely to be in a crash if you’re using a phone in any
a crash if you’re using a phone in any
a crash if you’re using a phone in any manner it doesn’t matter in this study
manner it doesn’t matter in this study
manner it doesn’t matter in this study if the phone was being used handheld or
if the phone was being used handheld or
if the phone was being used handheld or hands-free people were more likely to be
hands-free people were more likely to be
hands-free people were more likely to be in a crash in fact than a drunk driver
in a crash in fact than a drunk driver
in a crash in fact than a drunk driver is
is
is to be in a crash and again keep in mind
to be in a crash and again keep in mind
to be in a crash and again keep in mind these are two studies done by two
these are two studies done by two
these are two studies done by two different groups of people at different
different groups of people at different
different groups of people at different points in time with actual crash victims
points in time with actual crash victims
points in time with actual crash victims now speaking of drunk driving if like my
now speaking of drunk driving if like my
now speaking of drunk driving if like my friend Dave Strayer you had a driving
friend Dave Strayer you had a driving
friend Dave Strayer you had a driving simulator in your laboratory and you
simulator in your laboratory and you
simulator in your laboratory and you brought people in at the University of
brought people in at the University of
brought people in at the University of Utah and got them drunk and when I used
Utah and got them drunk and when I used
Utah and got them drunk and when I used to talk about this
to talk about this
to talk about this I used to say there on the utah campus
I used to say there on the utah campus
I used to say there on the utah campus so they’re only a little drunk and i
so they’re only a little drunk and i
so they’re only a little drunk and i gave a talk there last year and dave’s
gave a talk there last year and dave’s
gave a talk there last year and dave’s dave raised his hand and said no no they
dave raised his hand and said no no they
dave raised his hand and said no no they were really drunk i said okay so if you
were really drunk i said okay so if you
were really drunk i said okay so if you were to bring people in and get them
were to bring people in and get them
were to bring people in and get them really drunk and then have your to have
really drunk and then have your to have
really drunk and then have your to have them drive in your driving simulator and
them drive in your driving simulator and
them drive in your driving simulator and then bring them back and have them drive
then bring them back and have them drive
then bring them back and have them drive sober and while they’re driving you give
sober and while they’re driving you give
sober and while they’re driving you give them some events they’d have to react to
them some events they’d have to react to
them some events they’d have to react to like a suddenly stopping car you would
like a suddenly stopping car you would
like a suddenly stopping car you would find that people drive better when
find that people drive better when
find that people drive better when they’re drunk
they’re drunk
they’re drunk think about that for a second people
think about that for a second people
think about that for a second people tried better when they’re drunk the
tried better when they’re drunk the
tried better when they’re drunk the drunk drivers knew that they were
drunk drivers knew that they were
drunk drivers knew that they were impaired and knew that they were being
impaired and knew that they were being
impaired and knew that they were being watched and so what they made sure to do
watched and so what they made sure to do
watched and so what they made sure to do is try to be as vigilant as possible and
is try to be as vigilant as possible and
is try to be as vigilant as possible and when cars stopped in front of them they
when cars stopped in front of them they
when cars stopped in front of them they were slower but they tended to crush the
were slower but they tended to crush the
were slower but they tended to crush the brake pedal in response in order to stop
brake pedal in response in order to stop
brake pedal in response in order to stop the drivers those same drivers when they
the drivers those same drivers when they
the drivers those same drivers when they came back and they were talking
came back and they were talking
came back and they were talking hands-free on a phone to sum them that
hands-free on a phone to sum them that
hands-free on a phone to sum them that wasn’t in that vehicle with them drove
wasn’t in that vehicle with them drove
wasn’t in that vehicle with them drove through four vehicles without even
through four vehicles without even
through four vehicles without even noticing it and when they were asked
noticing it and when they were asked
noticing it and when they were asked afterwards how did you drive they said
afterwards how did you drive they said
afterwards how did you drive they said Oh much better when I was drunk what
Oh much better when I was drunk what
Oh much better when I was drunk what about that car you drove through no
about that car you drove through no
about that car you drove through no recollection whatsoever of that event
recollection whatsoever of that event
recollection whatsoever of that event because it turns out it takes your brain
because it turns out it takes your brain
because it turns out it takes your brain to drive we’ve used a device that’s used
to drive we’ve used a device that’s used
to drive we’ve used a device that’s used to measure older adult attention which
to measure older adult attention which
to measure older adult attention which is how I really got started in this is
is how I really got started in this is
is how I really got started in this is looking at older adults and that device
looking at older adults and that device
looking at older adults and that device tells us that the attention of someone
tells us that the attention of someone
tells us that the attention of someone that’s on a phone is so tapped out that
that’s on a phone is so tapped out that
that’s on a phone is so tapped out that they are at best four times slower to
they are at best four times slower to
they are at best four times slower to see and understand what’s happening in
see and understand what’s happening in
see and understand what’s happening in that environment around them four times
that environment around them four times
that environment around them four times is slow in fact when I do this task with
is slow in fact when I do this task with
is slow in fact when I do this task with a 19 year old they look like a fighter
a 19 year old they look like a fighter
a 19 year old they look like a fighter pilot but when I give them a fans free
pilot but when I give them a fans free
pilot but when I give them a fans free cellular conversation they look like a
cellular conversation they look like a
cellular conversation they look like a seven-year-old adult with Alzheimer’s
seven-year-old adult with Alzheimer’s
seven-year-old adult with Alzheimer’s disease in Australia they use this task
disease in Australia they use this task
disease in Australia they use this task to screen older drivers and that profile
to screen older drivers and that profile
to screen older drivers and that profile would lead to that person probably
would lead to that person probably
would lead to that person probably losing their license the reason why this
losing their license the reason why this
losing their license the reason why this is so hard is because your brain just
is so hard is because your brain just
is so hard is because your brain just doesn’t have enough resources to do
doesn’t have enough resources to do
doesn’t have enough resources to do multiple things at the same time I know
multiple things at the same time I know
multiple things at the same time I know multitasking Xin
multitasking Xin
multitasking Xin we’ve got some incredibly bright young
we’ve got some incredibly bright young
we’ve got some incredibly bright young adults here today they’re gonna be
adults here today they’re gonna be
adults here today they’re gonna be talking about some amazing things and in
talking about some amazing things and in
talking about some amazing things and in the back of their head right now they’re
the back of their head right now they’re
the back of their head right now they’re thinking yeah but I’ve been doing this
thinking yeah but I’ve been doing this
thinking yeah but I’ve been doing this since I was four so my brain is totally
since I was four so my brain is totally
since I was four so my brain is totally different right no the problem is all of
different right no the problem is all of
different right no the problem is all of our brains are the same and with
our brains are the same and with
our brains are the same and with training they’re not getting any better
training they’re not getting any better
training they’re not getting any better in fact they’re getting worse when you
in fact they’re getting worse when you
in fact they’re getting worse when you look at the brain of an individual
look at the brain of an individual
look at the brain of an individual that’s trying to talk and look at the
that’s trying to talk and look at the
that’s trying to talk and look at the world around them at the same time you
world around them at the same time you
world around them at the same time you see something very compelling this is a
see something very compelling this is a
see something very compelling this is a image of the brain it’s the back of your
image of the brain it’s the back of your
image of the brain it’s the back of your brain this is occipital cortex primary
brain this is occipital cortex primary
brain this is occipital cortex primary visual processing area and that darker
visual processing area and that darker
visual processing area and that darker bit there that red bit that’s
bit there that red bit that’s
bit there that red bit that’s essentially where blood is flowing we’re
essentially where blood is flowing we’re
essentially where blood is flowing we’re where neurons are active means your
where neurons are active means your
where neurons are active means your brains doing stuff and we can use this
brains doing stuff and we can use this
brains doing stuff and we can use this technique to understand which part of
technique to understand which part of
technique to understand which part of our brain is active and which isn’t on
our brain is active and which isn’t on
our brain is active and which isn’t on the Left panel you see the brain of
the Left panel you see the brain of
the Left panel you see the brain of someone that’s been asked to look at a
someone that’s been asked to look at a
someone that’s been asked to look at a traffic scene and just look at a traffic
traffic scene and just look at a traffic
traffic scene and just look at a traffic scene and try to process it and primary
scene and try to process it and primary
scene and try to process it and primary visual processing area is lighting up it
visual processing area is lighting up it
visual processing area is lighting up it looks like they’re doing something then
looks like they’re doing something then
looks like they’re doing something then when that same person is asked to look
when that same person is asked to look
when that same person is asked to look at that traffic scene but then listen to
at that traffic scene but then listen to
at that traffic scene but then listen to some simple sentences and because
some simple sentences and because
some simple sentences and because they’re going to be asked some simple
they’re going to be asked some simple
they’re going to be asked some simple true and false questions after that
true and false questions after that
true and false questions after that they’re not asked to give those
they’re not asked to give those
they’re not asked to give those questions and answers till later just
questions and answers till later just
questions and answers till later just listen when that person listens now that
listen when that person listens now that
listen when that person listens now that brain region turns off by 40% the region
brain region turns off by 40% the region
brain region turns off by 40% the region of the brain that’s responsible for
of the brain that’s responsible for
of the brain that’s responsible for seeing the world starts to deactivate
seeing the world starts to deactivate
seeing the world starts to deactivate and regions of that are responsible in
and regions of that are responsible in
and regions of that are responsible in temporal areas for listening start to
temporal areas for listening start to
temporal areas for listening start to activate in other words your brain
activate in other words your brain
activate in other words your brain doesn’t have enough resources to go
doesn’t have enough resources to go
doesn’t have enough resources to go around to do both things at the same
around to do both things at the same
around to do both things at the same time and the real-world implication of
time and the real-world implication of
time and the real-world implication of this is incredibly scary I want you to
this is incredibly scary I want you to
this is incredibly scary I want you to imagine that you have a child playing on
imagine that you have a child playing on
imagine that you have a child playing on a sidewalk in an area like right here in
a sidewalk in an area like right here in
a sidewalk in an area like right here in Kansas City maybe a grandchild or a son
Kansas City maybe a grandchild or a son
Kansas City maybe a grandchild or a son or a daughter or a sibling what you
or a daughter or a sibling what you
or a daughter or a sibling what you would want for a driver driving down
would want for a driver driving down
would want for a driver driving down your residential neighborhood is that
your residential neighborhood is that
your residential neighborhood is that they would scan on the right side of the
they would scan on the right side of the
they would scan on the right side of the road for your kid playing on the
road for your kid playing on the
road for your kid playing on the sidewalk or maybe a car getting ready to
sidewalk or maybe a car getting ready to
sidewalk or maybe a car getting ready to back out into the intersection you want
back out into the intersection you want
back out into the intersection you want them to scan on the left to make sure
them to scan on the left to make sure
them to scan on the left to make sure that there are no sudden events like
that there are no sudden events like
that there are no sudden events like cars running in front of them at
cars running in front of them at
cars running in front of them at unexpected times and like my grandmother
unexpected times and like my grandmother
unexpected times and like my grandmother taught me to drive you would want them
taught me to drive you would want them
taught me to drive you would want them scanning the environment as far ahead
scanning the environment as far ahead
scanning the environment as far ahead not just the car in front of them but as
not just the car in front of them but as
not just the car in front of them but as many cars away as they could see and
many cars away as they could see and
many cars away as they could see and what you’re seeing here is
what you’re seeing here is
what you’re seeing here is I movement patterns of someone doing
I movement patterns of someone doing
I movement patterns of someone doing just that that larger box because those
just that that larger box because those
just that that larger box because those little dots there I trackers so we can
little dots there I trackers so we can
little dots there I trackers so we can see where people are looking that larger
see where people are looking that larger
see where people are looking that larger box is where an attentive driver is
box is where an attentive driver is
box is where an attentive driver is scanning for hazards where your kids
scanning for hazards where your kids
scanning for hazards where your kids playing where cars might be stopping
playing where cars might be stopping
playing where cars might be stopping where someone might come across the
where someone might come across the
where someone might come across the intersection unexpectedly and here’s
intersection unexpectedly and here’s
intersection unexpectedly and here’s what happens with that tapped out brain
what happens with that tapped out brain
what happens with that tapped out brain when someone’s asked to have a
when someone’s asked to have a
when someone’s asked to have a conversation with someone that’s not in
conversation with someone that’s not in
conversation with someone that’s not in the vehicle with them in vehicle
the vehicle with them in vehicle
the vehicle with them in vehicle conversations are different because as
conversations are different because as
conversations are different because as we all know when you’re driving in a
we all know when you’re driving in a
we all know when you’re driving in a complicated environment like under
complicated environment like under
complicated environment like under Bartle Hall here in Kansas City the
Bartle Hall here in Kansas City the
Bartle Hall here in Kansas City the conversation stops right but when you’re
conversation stops right but when you’re
conversation stops right but when you’re talking to someone that’s not in the car
talking to someone that’s not in the car
talking to someone that’s not in the car with you now because the brain is trying
with you now because the brain is trying
with you now because the brain is trying to allocate resources strategically
to allocate resources strategically
to allocate resources strategically they’re now scanning a region of space
they’re now scanning a region of space
they’re now scanning a region of space that is about the width of the steering
that is about the width of the steering
that is about the width of the steering wheel and about the distance of the
wheel and about the distance of the
wheel and about the distance of the front bumper of the car that means when
front bumper of the car that means when
front bumper of the car that means when your son or daughter your brother or
your son or daughter your brother or
your son or daughter your brother or sister your niece or nephew your
sister your niece or nephew your
sister your niece or nephew your grandchild runs off of the sidewalk into
grandchild runs off of the sidewalk into
grandchild runs off of the sidewalk into the street they won’t even be looking at
the street they won’t even be looking at
the street they won’t even be looking at the right place until that person is
the right place until that person is
the right place until that person is right under the front bumper of their
right under the front bumper of their
right under the front bumper of their car and this helps explain while we’re
car and this helps explain while we’re
car and this helps explain while we’re seeing this huge rise in fatalities and
seeing this huge rise in fatalities and
seeing this huge rise in fatalities and while we have crashes where people were
while we have crashes where people were
while we have crashes where people were are completely not understanding why
are completely not understanding why
are completely not understanding why they missed it because it seems like
they missed it because it seems like
they missed it because it seems like they’re seeing everything but they’re
they’re seeing everything but they’re
they’re seeing everything but they’re actually not now I could go on and on
actually not now I could go on and on
actually not now I could go on and on because we’ve been doing this for 50
because we’ve been doing this for 50
because we’ve been doing this for 50 years this last year we actually did a
years this last year we actually did a
years this last year we actually did a study of all of the research that’s out
study of all of the research that’s out
study of all of the research that’s out there on distraction generally looking
there on distraction generally looking
there on distraction generally looking at the effect of distraction on driving
at the effect of distraction on driving
at the effect of distraction on driving and in that study and since then there’s
and in that study and since then there’s
and in that study and since then there’s another hundred studies that have come
another hundred studies that have come
another hundred studies that have come out we looked at 342 studies that cover
out we looked at 342 studies that cover
out we looked at 342 studies that cover about sixteen hundred and eight measures
about sixteen hundred and eight measures
about sixteen hundred and eight measures of distraction and about 20,000 people
of distraction and about 20,000 people
of distraction and about 20,000 people I’m gonna show up a slightly complicated
I’m gonna show up a slightly complicated
I’m gonna show up a slightly complicated graph but here’s what I want you to get
graph but here’s what I want you to get
graph but here’s what I want you to get about it what we did was we asked a
about it what we did was we asked a
about it what we did was we asked a simple question did the study show that
simple question did the study show that
simple question did the study show that there was a negative effect on
there was a negative effect on
there was a negative effect on performance driving performance for that
performance driving performance for that
performance driving performance for that distraction no effect because science
distraction no effect because science
distraction no effect because science sometimes doesn’t find things or the
sometimes doesn’t find things or the
sometimes doesn’t find things or the distraction actually improve performance
distraction actually improve performance
distraction actually improve performance and here’s the bottom line when you’re
and here’s the bottom line when you’re
and here’s the bottom line when you’re texting almost every single time we
texting almost every single time we
texting almost every single time we measure it we find that texting reduces
measure it we find that texting reduces
measure it we find that texting reduces driving performance but even nine times
driving performance but even nine times
driving performance but even nine times that’s that little thing in the middle
that’s that little thing in the middle
that’s that little thing in the middle there even
there even
there even 9 times we didn’t show texting affected
9 times we didn’t show texting affected
9 times we didn’t show texting affected driving performance because science
driving performance because science
driving performance because science isn’t perfect sometimes we don’t find
isn’t perfect sometimes we don’t find
isn’t perfect sometimes we don’t find things but when we look at hands held
things but when we look at hands held
things but when we look at hands held versus hands-free that larger piece of
versus hands-free that larger piece of
versus hands-free that larger piece of the pie on the middle and outer rings 81
the pie on the middle and outer rings 81
the pie on the middle and outer rings 81 percent of the time plus or minus half a
percent of the time plus or minus half a
percent of the time plus or minus half a percent we find that using a phone
percent we find that using a phone
percent we find that using a phone reduces your ability to drive safely and
reduces your ability to drive safely and
reduces your ability to drive safely and it doesn’t matter if it’s hands held or
it doesn’t matter if it’s hands held or
it doesn’t matter if it’s hands held or hands-free the bottom line is we’ve been
hands-free the bottom line is we’ve been
hands-free the bottom line is we’ve been studying this for a decade and we’ve
studying this for a decade and we’ve
studying this for a decade and we’ve done hundreds of studies I’m not just
done hundreds of studies I’m not just
done hundreds of studies I’m not just saying this because I think it’s true
saying this because I think it’s true
saying this because I think it’s true I’m saying this because the vast
I’m saying this because the vast
I’m saying this because the vast preponderance of evidence says that
preponderance of evidence says that
preponderance of evidence says that we’re all putting each other at grave
we’re all putting each other at grave
we’re all putting each other at grave risk when we’re using our phones to
risk when we’re using our phones to
risk when we’re using our phones to drive down the road and say hey where
drive down the road and say hey where
drive down the road and say hey where you at again the National Safety Council
you at again the National Safety Council
you at again the National Safety Council estimates of the 40,000 people that died
estimates of the 40,000 people that died
estimates of the 40,000 people that died this last year and by the way that’s an
this last year and by the way that’s an
this last year and by the way that’s an increase and we’ve been increasing for
increase and we’ve been increasing for
increase and we’ve been increasing for the last two years and we’re probably
the last two years and we’re probably
the last two years and we’re probably going to increase again this year and
going to increase again this year and
going to increase again this year and that’s despite the fact that our cars
that’s despite the fact that our cars
that’s despite the fact that our cars are safer with automatic braking and
are safer with automatic braking and
are safer with automatic braking and stability control and airbags or roads
stability control and airbags or roads
stability control and airbags or roads are safer because the engineers are
are safer because the engineers are
are safer because the engineers are designing them better our emergency
designing them better our emergency
designing them better our emergency services get to a crash faster and once
services get to a crash faster and once
services get to a crash faster and once you get to the hospital you’re more
you get to the hospital you’re more
you get to the hospital you’re more likely to live despite all those safety
likely to live despite all those safety
likely to live despite all those safety improvements more people are dying
improvements more people are dying
improvements more people are dying because of ubiquity of phones in cars
because of ubiquity of phones in cars
because of ubiquity of phones in cars and a quarter the people 10,000 people
and a quarter the people 10,000 people
and a quarter the people 10,000 people that died probably died because someone
that died probably died because someone
that died probably died because someone was using a phone why do we do it why do
was using a phone why do we do it why do
was using a phone why do we do it why do we do it you know this is what’s really
we do it you know this is what’s really
we do it you know this is what’s really fascinated me I was a brain scientist
fascinated me I was a brain scientist
fascinated me I was a brain scientist who really studied why the brain was
who really studied why the brain was
who really studied why the brain was working but I immediately when I started
working but I immediately when I started
working but I immediately when I started this work thought to myself this is
this work thought to myself this is
this work thought to myself this is crazy why are people doing it and I
crazy why are people doing it and I
crazy why are people doing it and I really started to study this problem and
really started to study this problem and
really started to study this problem and really the bottom line is our brain is
really the bottom line is our brain is
really the bottom line is our brain is wired for smart phones you’re looking at
wired for smart phones you’re looking at
wired for smart phones you’re looking at fMRI again but now I’m going to show you
fMRI again but now I’m going to show you
fMRI again but now I’m going to show you some fMRI images from areas of the brain
some fMRI images from areas of the brain
some fMRI images from areas of the brain that we call the dopaminergic system
that we call the dopaminergic system
that we call the dopaminergic system this is the reward system now I can see
this is the reward system now I can see
this is the reward system now I can see everyone so raise your hand if you love
everyone so raise your hand if you love
everyone so raise your hand if you love folding laundry please raise your hand
folding laundry please raise your hand
folding laundry please raise your hand who loves folding laundry oh I’ve got
who loves folding laundry oh I’ve got
who loves folding laundry oh I’ve got three people this is amazing all right
three people this is amazing all right
three people this is amazing all right great
great
great usually it takes about 500 and I can get
usually it takes about 500 and I can get
usually it takes about 500 and I can get one so that’s good
one so that’s good
one so that’s good if I were to ask the audience you know
if I were to ask the audience you know
if I were to ask the audience you know even if you don’t love folding laundry
even if you don’t love folding laundry
even if you don’t love folding laundry give me one word that describes how you
give me one word that describes how you
give me one word that describes how you feel when you’re done folding a basket
feel when you’re done folding a basket
feel when you’re done folding a basket of laundry
of laundry
of laundry about it for a second do laundry it’s
about it for a second do laundry it’s
about it for a second do laundry it’s it’s her in the basket you walk by it on
it’s her in the basket you walk by it on
it’s her in the basket you walk by it on Sunday mmm Monday mmm Tuesday Wednesday
Sunday mmm Monday mmm Tuesday Wednesday
Sunday mmm Monday mmm Tuesday Wednesday finally for laundry how you feel at that
finally for laundry how you feel at that
finally for laundry how you feel at that moment you probably say yeah I feel
moment you probably say yeah I feel
moment you probably say yeah I feel accomplished I feel like I did something
accomplished I feel like I did something
accomplished I feel like I did something I have a sense of accomplishment you
I have a sense of accomplishment you
I have a sense of accomplishment you feel good and what you’re feeling there
feel good and what you’re feeling there
feel good and what you’re feeling there is this dopaminergic system this reward
is this dopaminergic system this reward
is this dopaminergic system this reward system that is designed to get you to
system that is designed to get you to
system that is designed to get you to fold that darn laundry the next time it
fold that darn laundry the next time it
fold that darn laundry the next time it rewards you to reinforce behaviors to
rewards you to reinforce behaviors to
rewards you to reinforce behaviors to get you to repeat them and what this
get you to repeat them and what this
get you to repeat them and what this image is showing this is the image of
image is showing this is the image of
image is showing this is the image of the brain on Facebook because what it’s
the brain on Facebook because what it’s
the brain on Facebook because what it’s showing is the dopaminergic system kicks
showing is the dopaminergic system kicks
showing is the dopaminergic system kicks in big-time whenever we do something
in big-time whenever we do something
in big-time whenever we do something social and what’s really interesting
social and what’s really interesting
social and what’s really interesting those little bars down there the red
those little bars down there the red
those little bars down there the red bars and the blue bars big bar means
bars and the blue bars big bar means
bars and the blue bars big bar means more activity that’s the bar of someone
more activity that’s the bar of someone
more activity that’s the bar of someone that’s actually talking about themselves
that’s actually talking about themselves
that’s actually talking about themselves versus someone that’s just talking in
versus someone that’s just talking in
versus someone that’s just talking in other words we love to talk about
other words we love to talk about
other words we love to talk about ourselves so this is why Facebook is so
ourselves so this is why Facebook is so
ourselves so this is why Facebook is so popular because you get to like things
popular because you get to like things
popular because you get to like things and tell people what your opinion are is
and tell people what your opinion are is
and tell people what your opinion are is and where you’ve been and Instagram your
and where you’ve been and Instagram your
and where you’ve been and Instagram your lunch so our brain is wired for this
lunch so our brain is wired for this
lunch so our brain is wired for this kind of stuff and there are smart people
kind of stuff and there are smart people
kind of stuff and there are smart people where I grew up in Silicon Valley
where I grew up in Silicon Valley
where I grew up in Silicon Valley they’re designing these things to
they’re designing these things to
they’re designing these things to attract and grab your attention whether
attract and grab your attention whether
attract and grab your attention whether you want it to or not because that’s the
you want it to or not because that’s the
you want it to or not because that’s the business model when we ask people to put
business model when we ask people to put
business model when we ask people to put these things down like we do for
these things down like we do for
these things down like we do for journalism students at the University of
journalism students at the University of
journalism students at the University of Kansas for 24 to 48 hours these are the
Kansas for 24 to 48 hours these are the
Kansas for 24 to 48 hours these are the kind of reactions you get and I think it
kind of reactions you get and I think it
kind of reactions you get and I think it tells you something about the deep
tells you something about the deep
tells you something about the deep connection of our brains of this stuff
connection of our brains of this stuff
connection of our brains of this stuff people look addicted and in fact we’ve
people look addicted and in fact we’ve
people look addicted and in fact we’ve done some work on addiction and I will
done some work on addiction and I will
done some work on addiction and I will tell you there are some people that are
tell you there are some people that are
tell you there are some people that are legitimately addicted to their
legitimately addicted to their
legitimately addicted to their smartphones I had one young woman when I
smartphones I had one young woman when I
smartphones I had one young woman when I gave this talk say I lost my phone for a
gave this talk say I lost my phone for a
gave this talk say I lost my phone for a while and I felt like I was missing an
while and I felt like I was missing an
while and I felt like I was missing an arm I was handicapped but what if I told
arm I was handicapped but what if I told
arm I was handicapped but what if I told you that the reason we do this is
you that the reason we do this is
you that the reason we do this is because your brain is in fact pulling a
because your brain is in fact pulling a
because your brain is in fact pulling a trick on you we fool ourselves in lots
trick on you we fool ourselves in lots
trick on you we fool ourselves in lots of different ways we think of our brain
of different ways we think of our brain
of different ways we think of our brain is a really complex supercomputer but
is a really complex supercomputer but
is a really complex supercomputer but it’s not we’ve got billions of neurons
it’s not we’ve got billions of neurons
it’s not we’ve got billions of neurons and trillions of connections multiple
and trillions of connections multiple
and trillions of connections multiple areas dedicated to processing speech and
areas dedicated to processing speech and
areas dedicated to processing speech and and music and love we can build tools to
and music and love we can build tools to
and music and love we can build tools to go into space but I’d say if you study
go into space but I’d say if you study
go into space but I’d say if you study it long enough it’s a lot more like this
it long enough it’s a lot more like this
it long enough it’s a lot more like this it does a few things really well but
it does a few things really well but
it does a few things really well but everything it doesn’t do very well it
everything it doesn’t do very well it
everything it doesn’t do very well it sort of disguises from you and I need to
sort of disguises from you and I need to
sort of disguises from you and I need to convince you of this fact because I
convince you of this fact because I
convince you of this fact because I believe your life is at risk if you
believe your life is at risk if you
believe your life is at risk if you don’t believe me when you drive down the
don’t believe me when you drive down the
don’t believe me when you drive down the road you think you see everything we
road you think you see everything we
road you think you see everything we call perception the grand illusion
call perception the grand illusion
call perception the grand illusion because you think you have this 180
because you think you have this 180
because you think you have this 180 degree full-color motion based
degree full-color motion based
degree full-color motion based high-definition 3d dimensional panorama
high-definition 3d dimensional panorama
high-definition 3d dimensional panorama available to you at all times
available to you at all times
available to you at all times but everyone hold your fists out at
but everyone hold your fists out at
but everyone hold your fists out at arm’s length look at your fists see your
arm’s length look at your fists see your
arm’s length look at your fists see your fists that’s about how much information
fists that’s about how much information
fists that’s about how much information you’re processing in the visual world at
you’re processing in the visual world at
you’re processing in the visual world at any one time you’re driving down the
any one time you’re driving down the
any one time you’re driving down the road and you think you see the woman on
road and you think you see the woman on
road and you think you see the woman on the Left get right getting ready to walk
the Left get right getting ready to walk
the Left get right getting ready to walk in the street in the SUV and the people
in the street in the SUV and the people
in the street in the SUV and the people stopping but really you have this little
stopping but really you have this little
stopping but really you have this little tiny window that you’re sort of moving
tiny window that you’re sort of moving
tiny window that you’re sort of moving around and you’re sort of building up an
around and you’re sort of building up an
around and you’re sort of building up an image of what you see you don’t see
image of what you see you don’t see
image of what you see you don’t see everything at the same time I’m gonna
everything at the same time I’m gonna
everything at the same time I’m gonna convince you of this I’m going to show
convince you of this I’m going to show
convince you of this I’m going to show you some work we did with actual drivers
you some work we did with actual drivers
you some work we did with actual drivers driving in in Chicago so we took
driving in in Chicago so we took
driving in in Chicago so we took pictures of driving scenes and we asked
pictures of driving scenes and we asked
pictures of driving scenes and we asked folks to look at these driving scenes
folks to look at these driving scenes
folks to look at these driving scenes and what we did was we manipulated the
and what we did was we manipulated the
and what we did was we manipulated the driving scene so I want you to look at
driving scene so I want you to look at
driving scene so I want you to look at this as a driver and what I’m gonna do
this as a driver and what I’m gonna do
this as a driver and what I’m gonna do is I’m gonna actually change something
is I’m gonna actually change something
is I’m gonna actually change something in the scene and you have to just raise
in the scene and you have to just raise
in the scene and you have to just raise your hand when you spot it and I’m
your hand when you spot it and I’m
your hand when you spot it and I’m running out of time so we’ll move on
running out of time so we’ll move on
running out of time so we’ll move on here we go just spot the change in the
here we go just spot the change in the
here we go just spot the change in the driving scene and raise your hand when
driving scene and raise your hand when
driving scene and raise your hand when you see it drivers uh-oh well I’ve got
you see it drivers uh-oh well I’ve got
you see it drivers uh-oh well I’ve got one good I’ll drive home with you that’s
one good I’ll drive home with you that’s
one good I’ll drive home with you that’s good two or three we are limited on time
good two or three we are limited on time
good two or three we are limited on time so I’ll give you a couple more seconds
so I’ll give you a couple more seconds
so I’ll give you a couple more seconds okay great good and you also like
okay great good and you also like
okay great good and you also like folding laundry it’s like a double win
folding laundry it’s like a double win
folding laundry it’s like a double win that’s fantastic okay if you’ve looked
that’s fantastic okay if you’ve looked
that’s fantastic okay if you’ve looked at that 50 mile an hour sign on the left
at that 50 mile an hour sign on the left
at that 50 mile an hour sign on the left a few times take a look at it again do
a few times take a look at it again do
a few times take a look at it again do you see that 20 story apartment building
you see that 20 story apartment building
you see that 20 story apartment building right next to it that’s appearing and
right next to it that’s appearing and
right next to it that’s appearing and disappearing there it is there it goes
disappearing there it is there it goes
disappearing there it is there it goes there it is there it goes everyone see
there it is there it goes everyone see
there it is there it goes everyone see it now all right now you’re saying
it now all right now you’re saying
it now all right now you’re saying yourself that’s not fair you tricked me
yourself that’s not fair you tricked me
yourself that’s not fair you tricked me and I did trick you I tricked you
and I did trick you I tricked you
and I did trick you I tricked you because I started talking to you about
because I started talking to you about
because I started talking to you about driving and your attention system is
driving and your attention system is
driving and your attention system is limited so it immediately went into a
limited so it immediately went into a
limited so it immediately went into a mode of being efficient and said I’m
mode of being efficient and said I’m
mode of being efficient and said I’m gonna look for driving things and so it
gonna look for driving things and so it
gonna look for driving things and so it looked at that car right in front of you
looked at that car right in front of you
looked at that car right in front of you and you said well nothing happened in
and you said well nothing happened in
and you said well nothing happened in there
there
there so then it looked at the car that was
so then it looked at the car that was
so then it looked at the car that was nearby and you don’t see anything
nearby and you don’t see anything
nearby and you don’t see anything happening there
happening there
happening there moved your eyes looked at the sign you
moved your eyes looked at the sign you
moved your eyes looked at the sign you didn’t see anything happening the sign
didn’t see anything happening the sign
didn’t see anything happening the sign is kind of big so you looked at it a
is kind of big so you looked at it a
is kind of big so you looked at it a couple of times and you didn’t see
couple of times and you didn’t see
couple of times and you didn’t see anything and so eventually you probably
anything and so eventually you probably
anything and so eventually you probably looked at that 50 mile an hour sign now
looked at that 50 mile an hour sign now
looked at that 50 mile an hour sign now here’s what you need to know that first
here’s what you need to know that first
here’s what you need to know that first thing you looked at that red car
thing you looked at that red car
thing you looked at that red car disappeared your brain can track about 4
disappeared your brain can track about 4
disappeared your brain can track about 4 objects at any one time we’ve spent
objects at any one time we’ve spent
objects at any one time we’ve spent billions of dollars US military and
billions of dollars US military and
billions of dollars US military and militaries around the world to spend
militaries around the world to spend
militaries around the world to spend billions of dollars trying to improve
billions of dollars trying to improve
billions of dollars trying to improve situational awareness of pilots and
situational awareness of pilots and
situational awareness of pilots and others to get them to see and pay
others to get them to see and pay
others to get them to see and pay attention to more than four things it’s
attention to more than four things it’s
attention to more than four things it’s a hardwired limit the other thing it
a hardwired limit the other thing it
a hardwired limit the other thing it needs to notice is even though you’re
needs to notice is even though you’re
needs to notice is even though you’re paying attention that 50 mile an hour
paying attention that 50 mile an hour
paying attention that 50 mile an hour sign and that change was right next to
sign and that change was right next to
sign and that change was right next to it you didn’t see it because you pay
it you didn’t see it because you pay
it you didn’t see it because you pay attention to objects not regions of
attention to objects not regions of
attention to objects not regions of space and it wasn’t until I told you
space and it wasn’t until I told you
space and it wasn’t until I told you about that building that you noticed it
about that building that you noticed it
about that building that you noticed it now you’ll notice it every single time
now you’ll notice it every single time
now you’ll notice it every single time there’s a cure there’s a cure and
there’s a cure there’s a cure and
there’s a cure there’s a cure and there’s good news the good news is all
there’s good news the good news is all
there’s good news the good news is all we really need to do is put down our
we really need to do is put down our
we really need to do is put down our devices for a little bit and go outside
devices for a little bit and go outside
devices for a little bit and go outside I want to talk very briefly about some
I want to talk very briefly about some
I want to talk very briefly about some research that I’ve done with the
research that I’ve done with the
research that I’ve done with the beautiful and talented dr. roof an
beautiful and talented dr. roof an
beautiful and talented dr. roof an actually and some colleagues at the
actually and some colleagues at the
actually and some colleagues at the University of Utah looking at what
University of Utah looking at what
University of Utah looking at what happens when people put down their
happens when people put down their
happens when people put down their devices and go outside for some period
devices and go outside for some period
devices and go outside for some period of time this is research that’s been
of time this is research that’s been
of time this is research that’s been covered in great places like backpacker
covered in great places like backpacker
covered in great places like backpacker magazine which means you get to hang out
magazine which means you get to hang out
magazine which means you get to hang out with backpackers it’s in been in recent
with backpackers it’s in been in recent
with backpackers it’s in been in recent of recent book called the nature fix and
of recent book called the nature fix and
of recent book called the nature fix and they see what we did was we took people
they see what we did was we took people
they see what we did was we took people out into nature on long hikes and gave
out into nature on long hikes and gave
out into nature on long hikes and gave them these kinds of tasks you’ve had
them these kinds of tasks you’ve had
them these kinds of tasks you’ve had some time to think about it what’s the
some time to think about it what’s the
some time to think about it what’s the word the words match tennis match match
word the words match tennis match match
word the words match tennis match match and same are related the head of a match
and same are related the head of a match
and same are related the head of a match now these aren’t easy so we gave these
now these aren’t easy so we gave these
now these aren’t easy so we gave these to people knowing they wouldn’t solve
to people knowing they wouldn’t solve
to people knowing they wouldn’t solve very many of them and when we did this
very many of them and when we did this
very many of them and when we did this and had people go out and hike in the
and had people go out and hike in the
and had people go out and hike in the Rockies and do really interesting things
Rockies and do really interesting things
Rockies and do really interesting things what we saw is that the ability to solve
what we saw is that the ability to solve
what we saw is that the ability to solve these creative problems win up by 50
these creative problems win up by 50
these creative problems win up by 50 percent we never see increases of 50
percent we never see increases of 50
percent we never see increases of 50 percent in anything in a psychological
percent in anything in a psychological
percent in anything in a psychological science research study and yet we saw
science research study and yet we saw
science research study and yet we saw that here and it’s been replicated in
that here and it’s been replicated in
that here and it’s been replicated in other studies we’ve recently replicated
other studies we’ve recently replicated
other studies we’ve recently replicated it with teams working together in office
it with teams working together in office
it with teams working together in office environments versus outdoor environments
environments versus outdoor environments
environments versus outdoor environments and we still see that same improvement
and we still see that same improvement
and we still see that same improvement it’s also interesting is when you go
it’s also interesting is when you go
it’s also interesting is when you go outside you become more emotionally
outside you become more emotionally
outside you become more emotionally intelligent you become more sensitive to
intelligent you become more sensitive to
intelligent you become more sensitive to the emotions of others because the brain
the emotions of others because the brain
the emotions of others because the brain regions that are being
regions that are being
regions that are being distracted and that are being stimulated
distracted and that are being stimulated
distracted and that are being stimulated by nature actually help make you
by nature actually help make you
by nature actually help make you emotionally smarter we took people out
emotionally smarter we took people out
emotionally smarter we took people out and gave them pikes and then had them do
and gave them pikes and then had them do
and gave them pikes and then had them do these kinds of weird word things where
these kinds of weird word things where
these kinds of weird word things where you say you smell bad and pleasant tone
you say you smell bad and pleasant tone
you say you smell bad and pleasant tone of voice or it didn’t match up and ask
of voice or it didn’t match up and ask
of voice or it didn’t match up and ask them what the person was saying people
them what the person was saying people
them what the person was saying people are a lot of more emotionally in tune
are a lot of more emotionally in tune
are a lot of more emotionally in tune when they’d been outside we had those
when they’d been outside we had those
when they’d been outside we had those workers work in teams outside
workers work in teams outside
workers work in teams outside they laughed twice as much they
they laughed twice as much they
they laughed twice as much they collaborated more they came to solutions
collaborated more they came to solutions
collaborated more they came to solutions faster and the team was happier with
faster and the team was happier with
faster and the team was happier with those solutions than the people that
those solutions than the people that
those solutions than the people that were in the office environments I think
were in the office environments I think
were in the office environments I think that part of the reason for this is
that part of the reason for this is
that part of the reason for this is because our phones are making us a
because our phones are making us a
because our phones are making us a little dumb and a little insensitive the
little dumb and a little insensitive the
little dumb and a little insensitive the other doctor actually thinks that it’s
other doctor actually thinks that it’s
other doctor actually thinks that it’s probably because nature is a really
probably because nature is a really
probably because nature is a really pleasant place to be and it’s good for
pleasant place to be and it’s good for
pleasant place to be and it’s good for your brain and the real answer is
your brain and the real answer is
your brain and the real answer is probably someplace in the middle but you
probably someplace in the middle but you
probably someplace in the middle but you know I think middles okay in an era that
know I think middles okay in an era that
know I think middles okay in an era that I’d loved to how tank said you know it
I’d loved to how tank said you know it
I’d loved to how tank said you know it wasn’t your social network outside and
wasn’t your social network outside and
wasn’t your social network outside and one day in an era where our social
one day in an era where our social
one day in an era where our social network used to be outside where four
network used to be outside where four
network used to be outside where four generations ago a child might play in a
generations ago a child might play in a
generations ago a child might play in a very large area of space and over time
very large area of space and over time
very large area of space and over time with subsequent generations that area’s
with subsequent generations that area’s
with subsequent generations that area’s space is shrunk down to a very small
space is shrunk down to a very small
space is shrunk down to a very small region maybe going back outside is
region maybe going back outside is
region maybe going back outside is something we all need attention is a
something we all need attention is a
something we all need attention is a gift that you give to yourself and it’s
gift that you give to yourself and it’s
gift that you give to yourself and it’s a gift that you give to people around
a gift that you give to people around
a gift that you give to people around you and I appreciate the attention that
you and I appreciate the attention that
you and I appreciate the attention that you have given me here today thank you
you have given me here today thank you
you have given me here today thank you very much
very much
very much [Applause]
”
Be First to Comment