Questions: Harrison Bergeron

1. Describe the experiment that was designed to show whether distractions make us “dumber.” 

In the experiment, 136 subjects were asked to read a short passage and answer questions about it. There were three groups of subjects; one merely completed the test. The other two were told they “might be contacted for further instructions” at any moment via instant message
  
2. What were the results of the experiment?


Those who were warned of an interruption that never came improved by a whopping 43 percent, and even outperformed the control test takers who were left alone.

  
3. What is the possible explanation for the “On High Alert” group performing even better than the control group who was left alone?

There’s a simple explanation, participants learned from their experience, and their brains adapted. 




  4. Did you miss any important points in the article because someone or something distracted you? If so, do you believe it was because you are addicted to messaging or because you were robbed of brain power? Explain.

I was robbed of brain power, once people begin to speak to me or when outside conversations are going on, I tend to lose focus and instead focus on what's going on outside rather than inside.


 5. Based on "Brain, Interrupted", do you believe the United States Handicapper General in "Harrison Bergeron” made an effective use of distractions to create an equal society?  Explain. 

I feel like Harrison did make an effective use of the distractions to create an equal society, the use of the ear piece making noise was a very good way of demostrating distractions.