I recently watched a home video on social media taken by a tourist more than 23 years ago as they walked around City Centre Deira in Dubai. Hundreds of nostalgic users commented on the clip. Many pointed out that no one was holding a smartphone, and how our social connections were better then.
Beyond social connections, our dependence on technology has led to many discussions that claim our creativity is being limited by our reliance on them.
But this isn’t a new argument. When I was a child, video games were viewed negatively and blamed for limiting our imagination, our social skills, and as a result, my parents limited our play time.
Others argue that technology such as artificial intelligence is enhancing creativity. Some point to research on the negative impact of mindless scrolling on smartphones, smart devices and consumption of information, saying it restricts the time to daydream, to let minds freely wander and produce creative ideas.
Albert Einstein appreciated the power of a wandering mind. He spent hours on his sailboat allowing his mind to drift. Some attributed daydreaming as a contributing element to Einstein's and Isaac Newton’s accomplishments.
Countries like the US are facing a creativity crisis, according to a study by William & Mary’s Kyung-Hee Kim. And while the country's results on IQ tests have been on the rise, its scores on the Torrance Test of Creative Thinking have been declining since 1990, with creativity levels dropping across all age groups, but the decrease is most significant among young students.
Still, it’s not fair to say that technology has not contributed to creativity. Technology has been a critical enabler.
Today, entrepreneurs don’t necessarily need an office to start a business and can instantly reach people across the world.
For artists, social media serves as an important medium for them to show their work. Such channels are also an important platform for budding designers.
Many content creators have built lucrative careers, and media stars were born with the help of YouTube.
Social media channels have also been conduits for e-commerce and helped enhance the freelance economy.
While technology is distracting, it has helped promote entrepreneurs, the work of creative and aspiring individuals, and provided avenues for growth, networking and diversifying income streams.
Technology will only continue to advance, and amid the detractors and criticism the answer as always comes down to moderation and balance.
A balanced environment that nurtures creativity and mindful use of technology is the answer.
Manar Al Hinai is an award-winning Emirati writer and communications consultant based in Abu Dhabi.
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Indoor Cricket World Cup
Venue Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE squad Saqib Nazir (captain), Aaqib Malik, Fahad Al Hashmi, Isuru Umesh, Nadir Hussain, Sachin Talwar, Nashwan Nasir, Prashath Kumara, Ramveer Rai, Sameer Nayyak, Umar Shah, Vikrant Shetty
MATCH INFO
Scotland 59 (Tries: Hastings (2), G Horne (3), Turner, Seymour, Barclay, Kinghorn, McInally; Cons: Hastings 8)
Russia 0
Brief scores:
Arsenal 4
Xhaka 25', Lacazette 55', Ramsey 79', Aubameyang 83'
Fulham 1
Kamara 69'
More coverage from the Future Forum
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Brief scores:
Toss: Northern Warriors, elected to field first
Bengal Tigers 130-1 (10 ov)
Roy 60 not out, Rutherford 47 not out
Northern Warriors 94-7 (10 ov)
Simmons 44; Yamin 4-4
Liverpool 4-1 Shrewsbury
Liverpool
Gordon (34'), Fabinho (44' pen, 90' 3), Firmino (78')
Shrewsbury
Udoh (27'minutes)
Man of the Match: Kaide Gordon (Liverpool)
What it means to be a conservationist
Who is Enric Sala?
Enric Sala is an expert on marine conservation and is currently the National Geographic Society's Explorer-in-Residence. His love of the sea started with his childhood in Spain, inspired by the example of the legendary diver Jacques Cousteau. He has been a university professor of Oceanography in the US, as well as working at the Spanish National Council for Scientific Research and is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Biodiversity and the Bio-Economy. He has dedicated his life to protecting life in the oceans. Enric describes himself as a flexitarian who only eats meat occasionally.
What is biodiversity?
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, all life on earth – including in its forests and oceans – forms a “rich tapestry of interconnecting and interdependent forces”. Biodiversity on earth today is the product of four billion years of evolution and consists of many millions of distinct biological species. The term ‘biodiversity’ is relatively new, popularised since the 1980s and coinciding with an understanding of the growing threats to the natural world including habitat loss, pollution and climate change. The loss of biodiversity itself is dangerous because it contributes to clean, consistent water flows, food security, protection from floods and storms and a stable climate. The natural world can be an ally in combating global climate change but to do so it must be protected. Nations are working to achieve this, including setting targets to be reached by 2020 for the protection of the natural state of 17 per cent of the land and 10 per cent of the oceans. However, these are well short of what is needed, according to experts, with half the land needed to be in a natural state to help avert disaster.
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Padmaavat
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Starring: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Jim Sarbh
3.5/5
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