Does machinery affect the mind?

[The motor guy]

Bear with me here. Let's say you're operating something like an excavator or skid steer, paying attention to the task at hand and operating it 40-50hrs a week. I find I say the dumbest things to people whenever someone stops and enterupt what I'm doing. Anyone else have this issue. Maybe I'm just in the zone a little too long?

 

[vavavroom]

Some people get easily startled and disoriented by distractions and disruptions especially when they are focusing on accomplishing a task. This can of course affect confidence and interactions with others, especially if verbal processing is affected. This will likely cause social anxiety and frustration. Other people welcome distractions and interruptions while staying right on task. If you feel this affects your life negatively I suggest you go in for a psych evaluation so that you may learn how to deal with this. Other than that I can only suggest to try and prevent interruptions as much as you can.

 

[bdcardinal]

Some people get easily startled and disoriented by distractions and disruptions especially when they are focusing on accomplishing a task. This can of course affect confidence and interactions with others, especially if verbal processing is affected. This will likely cause social anxiety. Other people welcome distractions and interruptions while staying right on task. If you feel this affects your life negatively I suggest you go in for a psych evaluation so that you may learn how to deal with this. Other than that I can only suggest to try and prevent interruptions as much as you can.

I have noticed that anytime I make a mistake when working on a car it is when someone is standing over my shoulder, talking to me, or surprising me. I broke the wiper linkage on my Mustang when I was snugging up the wiper arm nut with an impact when a neighbor yelled for me and my finger went full beans on the trigger.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I think your asking two different questions.

If your doing something your concentrating on and are startled, sure it can take a moment to re-orient.

On the other hand, I talk to machine operators in factories all the time. Some are a fairly complex process. You can tell how long an operator has been working that specific machine because they can have a full on conversation about something, at volume with ear-plugs in, and not miss a beat with the machine process.

 

[vavavroom]

I have noticed that anytime I make a mistake when working on a car it is when someone is standing over my shoulder, talking to me, or surprising me. I broke the wiper linkage on my Mustang when I was snugging up the wiper arm nut with an impact when a neighbor yelled for me and my finger went full beans on the trigger.

Reminds me of Henry Fonda getting a shave In My Name is Nobody. The barber suddenly feels cold steel against his groin. Pulling a hog leg on a barber with a straight razor in his shaky hand is a risky move, if you ask me.

 

[oil pan 4]

Chainsaw psychosis is real.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

Bear with me here. Let's say you're operating something like an excavator or skid steer, paying attention to the task at hand and operating it 40-50hrs a week. I find I say the dumbest things to people whenever someone stops and enterupt what I'm doing. Anyone else have this issue. Maybe I'm just in the zone a little too long?

Haha, yep. I get into the zone when operating equipment. I have weird thoughts, talking to myself.... if someone ask me something it takes a second to come back. I hope that's normal

 

[FartSquirrel]

When operating heavy equipment, you can have strange things happen to you. Especially if you open a yellowjackets nest. When one sting you in the back, instinct is get out of the seat. But you forget about the rollcage of the 54,000lb dozer you are operating. Your head and neck are no match. So you fall off the dozer. Eventually you get yourself to the house and can barely speak, so your Mom rushes you to ER where you are treated for bee stings and given several xrays of the neck and head.
41 years later you have severe neck issues.

Yes, operating machinery can affect the mind....

 

[paulo57509]

I never liked working on a vehicle with the customer standing over me. I disliked it when they were even sitting in the office.

My wife has the ability to always sneak up and startle me. I ask her to make some noise so I'm aware of her approach but she's like a cat.

But having the dog nearby is comforting.

 

[gman2304]

My wife has the ability to always sneak up and startle me.

Mine does the same on purpose. She’ll hide behind the door and when I walk by she jumps out and says boo! She thinks it’s funny but I accuse her of elder abuse!

 

[The motor guy]

I never liked working on a vehicle with the customer standing over me. I disliked it when they were even sitting in the office.

My wife has the ability to always sneak up and startle me. I ask her to make some noise so I'm aware of her approach but she's like a cat.

But having the dog nearby is comforting.

That's not good. You need to have a 360 degree view at all times. Maybe working on a car it doesn't really matter, but the same thing applies. You don't want to accidently hurt someone that you don't realize is there. Nor do you want them to walking up on you scaring you and you injure a habd or something. Kind of like the women at the grocery store who stand in the isle without a clue and in the way

 

[Kira]

Just off the top of my head:
I think, when you're working on anything, you go into whatever zone your particular makeup leads you.

Working a milling machine on Day #2 of employment vs any day during Year #3, will differ.

Even digging a small drainage ditch in soft soil might be better done with uninterrupted breathing (aka talking and thinking).