Deskilling the body

The article describes a phenomenon called deskilling, where humans gradually lose physical and cognitive abilities due to over-reliance on digital tools.

For example, the author, a woman in her late 40s, notes how her daily routines have shifted from writing by hand and spending hours outdoors to passively scrolling on her phone and working indoors.

This deskilling affects fundamental human capacities such as sensing, navigating, remembering, walking, choosing, and attending.

The reliance on technologies like GPS, smartphones, and AI reduces the need for these skills, leading to their gradual weakening.

The article highlights that this trend is not isolated but widespread, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, which accelerated the shift toward digital interactions and reduced physical activities.