DIGITAL DEMENTIA IN THE WORKPLACE

It wasn't too long ago that our brains stored more than just thoughts.

- V.P. Nandakumar

They held family birthdays, travel directions and even an entire phone book. Our brains—once wired for retention and focus—are now outsourced to the devices in our palms.

In today's digital world, when information is just one swipe away, we have undeniably gained huge convenience in conducting everyday tasks. While this digital ease has transformed the way we learn, work and communicate, it is also leading to a creeping phenomenon known as Digital Dementia.

Coined by German neuroscientist Manfred Spitzer in his book "Digital Dementia - How we are depriving ourselves and our children of reason", the term refers to a noticeable decline in mental faculties— particularly memory, attention, and deep thinking—resulting from the overuse of digital devices and online tools. The brain, like any muscle, deteriorates when not used actively. As we increasingly outsource thinking, remembering, and even socialising to screens, we are, often unknowingly, deconditioning our cognitive systems.