Deskilling the Body: Examining Reductions in Human Sensing, Navigation, and Attention

Melanie Challenger · · 1 min read · Humanities

Read research and analysis on Deskilling the Body: Examining Reductions in Human Sensing, Navigation, and Attention published by ICANEWS, a global research journal for emerging researchers.

Key Takeaways

  • Individuals are engaging in less physical walking and direct sensing.
  • Active cognitive functions such as remembering and navigating are being practiced less.
  • Core capacities of choosing and attending are diminishing moment by moment.

Why This Matters

The essay notes that fundamental bodily and cognitive engagements—spanning sensing, navigating, remembering, walking, choosing, and attending—are progressively declining over time.

Overview

In an essay published by Aeon Essays, Melanie Challenger addresses the ongoing deskilling of the human body. The text outlines a continuous reduction in basic physical, sensory, and cognitive activities in daily life.

Findings

According to Challenger, individuals are progressively performing fewer fundamental bodily and mental actions:

  • Diminished physical movement, specifically walking.
  • Reduced sensory perception and active bodily sensing.
  • Decreased reliance on personal navigation and memory retention.
  • A reduction in independent choosing and sustained attending.

Research Information

Institution
Aeon Essays
Lead Researcher
Melanie Challenger
Original Study
View Publication
Source
Aeon Essays

About ICANEWS

ICANEWS is a global research journal for emerging researchers, publishing student and emerging researcher work across all fields.