Lesson 5: Adapting in a Digital World | Amy Herman

Like it or not, new technologies continue to digitize the work activities and social functions that used to take place offline. The question you should ask yourself is: Can I adapt to the digital world in a way that is healthy and beneficial? Art historian Amy Herman argues you can, and in this video lesson, she teaches you how to use thoughtful perception to better integrate technology into your work and life. Manage technology use We need technology, but there is no substitute for human interaction. Look up from your screens. Look people in the eye. Reinforce your human connections. Use technology creatively to supplement your relationships, not replace them. The best brainstorming and creative ideas may come face-to-face. Practice mindfulness To engage with the world, you have to perceive the world around you. Strive to be mindful in all aspects of your life, including in how you use technology. Mindfulness can improve both your own attention and the attention you gain from others. Preface difficult conversations with: “Stick with me here. This is not an easy topic to talk about.” Mindful communication is about engagement. When inviting others into your process, ask them: What do you think? Am I justified here? Is there something I might be missing? Is there another way to look at this? Mindfulness can improve collaboration. Remember that multiple perspectives make for better decisions. © Freethink Media Inc., All Rights Reserved. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Go Deeper with Big Think: ►Become a Big Think Youtube Member Get exclusive classes and early, ad-free access to new releases without leaving Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/@bigthink/membership/ ►Become a Big Think Web Member Get the entire Big Think Class library, premium print issues, live events, and more. https://bigthink.com/membership/ ►Subscribe to Big Think on Substack Get all of your favorite Big Think content delivered to your inbox. https://bigthinkmedia.substack.com/subscribe/ ►Listen to Big Think Interviews on Spotify Insights from the world's biggest thinkers, now as a podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/7KRYoRD1NdF2aoQcBMyPlb ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About Amy Herman: Amy Herman is a lawyer and art historian who uses works of art to sharpen observation, analysis, and communication skills. By showing people how to look closely at painting, sculpture, and photography, she helps them hone their visual intelligence to recognize the most pertinent and useful information as well as biases that impede decision-making. In 2000, while Herman was the head of education at The Frick Collection in New York City, she developed her “Art of Perception” seminar to improve medical students’ observation and communication skills with their patients. She subsequently adapted the program for a wide range of professionals and leads sessions internationally for the New York City Police Department, the FBI, the French National Police, the Department of Defense, Interpol, the State Department, Fortune 500 companies, first responders, the military, and the intelligence community. She holds a B.A., a J.D., and an M.A. in art history. Her book Visual Intelligence was published in May 2016 and was on both The New York Times and The Washington Post’s bestsellers lists.