Jj is for Jottings 115.  Digital Distraction.

WHAT IS DIGITAL DISTRACTION?

Digital distraction is that constant checking of phones and multi-tasking which we see going on around us all the time (or even engage in ourselves).  There is a theory that our ancient food-foraging survival instinct has evolved into info-foraging.  It is sort of a hijacking of the same system that was critical for our survival in terms of seeking out food.  It has now been directed at seeking out information, and the result is digital distraction.

“There is no digital distraction in this paddock, thank you very much.”

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Jj is for Jottings 114.  Digraphs vs. Diphthongs.

Digraphs vs. diphthongs – what exactly are they and how do they differ?  They both begin with the same two letters, but then they diverge (get the pun?)

THE ROOTS OF DIGRAPHS AND DIPHTHONGS.

It is always helpful to understand the roots of words, because then we are able to transfer that learning to other situations.  It’s like teaching a man to fish rather than just giving him a fish.  (“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”  Maimonides.)  For a discussion of root words which underlie one of my pet peeves, see here. Continue reading