If you have ever seen the movie Avengers there is a scene when the fictional character Tony Stark/Ironman is making witty remarks and quips. A person at such a high level cognitive prowess would knowingly do this while maintaining focus. This what is often required to operate technology at an alarming rate. Below is edited version of the scene and which he demonstrates this by cracking jokes, all while maintaining an inherently strong focus. Only this all makes sense considering a genius, would have to have extremely fast cognitive abilities. Given that he operates with very advanced technology, this is noticeable difference when scaling to best meet user needs. In Ironman’s helmet there is hologram like interface for which he uses to communicate with Jarvis, his computer semi-AI companion for example. Below is the character at play(Ironman is a Marvel comic book hero, he’s part man with Arc Reactor as his heart, and part man in a suit made of highly durable metal, however his true power comes from his genius and probably his wit), a portion of the scene is clipped before him in the “doctor” or the Hulk also from Marvel comic book fame leave the scene.

As our society becomes more accumulated to technology the question is asked, are we mentally trained and prepared to utilize at it’s fullest capabilities? Forbes (Can Smartphones Adversely Affect Cognitive Development In Teens? mentions a depletion of cognitive abilities, describing the need for essentially being smarter than the smartphone.

With the widespread use of this technology, the question remains whether the use of such phones can lead to long term cognitive effects that impact language development skills, memory capability and maintaining focus on tasks at hand.

Researchers will study 2,500 seventh graders in 160 schools throughout London. This study, over a period of three years, will represent the largest investigation to date evaluating any potential relationship of mobile or smartphone phone use on the developing brains of teens.

However, the argument goes both ways,

On the other hand, there is a Canadian study that suggests that smartphones may help in memory loss. Experts at the Baycrest Center for Geriatric Care in Toronto said a smartphone training program designed for people with memory problems could improve day-to-day functioning, increase independence and boost confidence levels, United Press International reported. Participants of the study learned calendaring skills such as inputting appointments and reminders, setting alarm reminders to take medications and attend appointments.Though it’s probably best if people don’t developed digital dementia in the first place.

Though fear of digital dementia is still relevant. Now, this can easily be forgotten that smartphones have become a need for teenagers to adults. While the benefits are obvious the disadvantages are quite cryptic. Though with an initially strong focus, some of us excel when using mobile devices. Often the key is a little patience, and organization whilst using a Smartphone could then flex the mind, and not necessarily by happenstance. Though this takes purposeful attention to detail to realize the Smartphone operates on what you tell it to do, and is limited by what the commands it is given. Now as for developers the responsibility for device to work based on the commands sent is typically on them. More specifically the responsive design involved in UX(user experience) is critical part of how well a user can learn from there mistakes or access information.

Below is another scene of Tony Stark, impressingly taking control of computer system using only what seems to be his Smartphone or mobile device:

Now we all can’t be like Tony Stark or Bruce Lee, calculating expected movements at almost lighting speed. Though we can take note in the moments of their humility there moments of high mental focus, and what they can show us about truly flexing our minds. In my honest opinion, often times having a correct mind, a library of information to back our responses to stimuli could be beneficial when progressing from one screen to the next without losing memory. In other words, we should already know what to expect from our smartphones.