More public spaces should block phone signals

We cannot necessarily solve problems before they arise. The future is uncertain; its challenges may not be exactly the ones we anticipate, at least in terms of the finer details.

Yet we can begin to learn the basic lessons of how humans might better engage with new technologies – starting with those we now have before us.

In this respect, having selected public spaces shutting down mobile phone signals might not be such a negative development.

School study zones might benefit from blocking systems. Various reputable studies have revealed that attention spans are being depleted by digital distraction – as are retention rates.

Office boardrooms might also benefit from being digital-free zones. One study suggested that 20 percent of British workers respond to an average of 50 emails each day from their co-workers alone.

Where do they find the time and energy to engage with customers and others outside the enterprise, when their attention is distracted by a constant stream of internal memos?

Recently, the Bank of America conducted a study which revealed that its most productive workers were those who mingled more. This led the bank to refashion its coffee areas, making them more inviting, so that people would leave their desks for coffee.

In a short time, this led to a 10 percent boost in productivity across the company.

Our brains need downtime, where they can assimilate what we're learning and build it into long-term memory. If that doesn't happen, the data we take in won't produce new, innovative ideas for the future.

We should continue to use digital technologies to their full potential, but only insofar as they enhance our human potential.