The New York Times reports that Harvard researchers have concluded that constantly being wired can result in shorter attention spans akin to ADD. People that are addicted to information access

become frustrated with long-term projects, thrive on the stress of constant fixes of information, and physically crave the bursts of stimulation from checking e-mail or voice mail or answering the phone.

"It's like a dopamine squirt to be connected," said Dr. Ratey, who compares the sensations created by constantly being wired to those of narcotics — a hit of pleasure, stimulation and escape. "It takes the same pathway as our drugs of abuse and pleasure."

I imagine that instances of this addiction will only get worse with the spread of Internet-accessible pda phones and wifi for laptops in public places.

Do you feel the need to be connected?

Link courtesy of Slashdot.