Ivan Pavlov, a man known for his dogs… the dogs that simply responded to a ringing bell rather than applying critical thinking.
As a child, learning about Pavlov’s dogs, I couldn’t help but think, “How sad… these dogs are not smart enough to process the situation, and hence they are fooled.”
The disturbing truth is that, at times, the Dose can be a Pavlov dog, too. The stimulus? Technology calling (pun intended) makes me react and respond to my smartphone without thinking and takes me down a path that most times is uncalled for.
Unlike Ivan’s dogs’ actions, this mindless behavior has been accepted by society. I’ve seen this device take over people’s being – at business meetings, at dinner tables, and even at the movies! Recently, the Dose couldn’t help but ask my niece “What text is so critical to respond to as we sing Happy Birthday to you?”
It’s not the device that puts us in a trance… it’s us being “Pavloved!”
Let us keep a leash on ourselves by thinking for ourselves.