Here is a compilation of different topics we have been exploring recently and a set of links to some sources and papers we’ve been reviewing.
Empathy and the Internet
We have been looking at whether the Internet increases or decreases empathy. This was partially explored in our article on IMVU -
Peace Dot Partner IMVU – Creating Empathetic Connections on the Net
Here are some more links regarding this topic.
Psychology Today. Empathy. Got Some
Babble Blog. College Students Lack Empathy
Perspective on Empathy
Jean Decety, University of Chicago and Philip L. Jackson, Universite´ Laval, Que´bec, Canada
A concise 4 page overview of the neuroscience of empathy.
The Internet and Relationships
Building on our inquiry around empathy was the question of whether or not the internet, and social technologies in particular, were increasing or decreasing people’s ability to have relationships.
Psychology Today. The Effect Of Technology On Relationships
The Internet and changes to the Brain
BusinessWeek. ‘The Shallows’: Is the Net Fostering Stupidity?
CNN Technology. Is the internet making us quick but shallow?
Bloomberg BusinessWeek. ‘The Shallows’: Is the Net Fostering Stupidity?
Psych Blog. Why Social Media is Actually Good for Teems
Wall Street Journal. Does the Internet Make You Smarter?
Video Games and Altruism
Here are some more links on video games and their promotion or degradation of altruism and background on games in general.
What’s a ‘Prosocial’ Video Game? One Professor Explains
Pro-Social Video Games Make Children Kinder
Video games and pro-social learning
Games with Intent
Will Interactive. Hate Comes Home – an immersive interactive game for youth
Games for Change
Games for Change (G4C) is a non-profit which seeks to harness the extraordinary power of video games to address the most pressing issues of our day, including poverty, education, human rights, global conflict and climate change.
Can Video Games Save the World?
a January 18, 2010 Time Magazine article surveying current efforts around video games intent on addressing global issues.
How computer games discovered virtuous reality
Grand Theft Auto, Super Mario, Halo III… You may think the video games industry is all about big bucks, but you’d be wrong. These days, it’s trying to make the world a better place, too.
Foreign Policy Magazine. Meet the Sims and Shoot Them? The rise of militainment.
Fascinating article discussing the way the military is using video games as a recruiting tool, to create virtual vets, and as a training tool to teach ethics.
XEODesign. We Play Games
The brilliant Nicole Lazzaro is a game designer and leading researcher on emotion and the fun of games.
Biological Causes for Behavior Change – the Role of Parasites in Aggression and Reckless Behavior
While we focus on how technology influences behavior, we were fascinated to discover that there is academic and military research on how organisms, especially Toxoplasma, changes behavior in humans. Recklessness, risk taking, jealousy and schizophrenia have been associated with high levels of Toxoplasma in humans.
A Conversation with Robert Sapolsky on Toxoplasma
“The parasite my lab is beginning to focus on is one in the world of mammals, where parasites are changing mammalian behavior. It’s got to do with this parasite, this protozoan called Toxoplasma.”
Effects of Toxoplasma on Human Behavior
Changing climate—changing pathogens: Toxoplasma gondii in North-Western Europe
How climate change may spread the prevalence of Toxoplasma and the urgent need to develop a vaccine.
