Your finger hovers above the mouse as you stare at the screen. The easy job ahead? Click when the color changes. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Then the screen turns, and there’s a rush of color. Your finger twitches and clicks! Your heart starts to beat a little faster all of a sudden. Was it fast enough? This time, did you beat your record? If you haven’t tried it yet, go to http://www.reactiontimetestgame.com and give it a shot. It’s amazing how a split second can tell if you’re a digital cheetah or a dawdler.
Let’s talk about what makes measuring response time so strangely fun. Your brain’s speedometer is your reaction time. It keeps track of how quickly your brain and body connect when you tell them to. When you hear a flash, a buzz, or a pop, your senses convey signals like little race cars flying down a brain highway. Your body listens to what your brain says and does what it says. Most people don’t notice the complete cycle until they try to time it.
This is where it gets interesting: everyone’s reaction time is a little bit different. Some people have reflexes that are sharper than a tack and don’t even blink before the click. For others, there is a clear pause, like a record scratch in a quiet room. Some people say, “Why bother?” Isn’t this just a dumb game? It’s more than that, though. Reaction time is very important for gamers, sports, drivers, and even people who want to brag about their skills.
People sometimes turn it into a contest. When someone begins a response time competition, office coffee breaks turn into crazy events. It’s contagious. All of a sudden, coworkers are fighting over who is the fastest. People are laughing. You could even want to talk trash: “You blinked—you’re slower than a sleepy sloth!” The pressure rises, your palms sweat, and even the smallest delays seem to last forever.
There are surprises in both age and caffeine here. Children? Very fast. Most grown-ups? In the midst. Grandparents? You might find the results funny. And then there are some mornings when you drink too much coffee and your hand shakes so much that you click before the color changes.
People strive to break into the system. Some people lean in and squint. Some people try to breathe in a rhythmic way, like Zen masters. Someone constantly thinks that blinking will help. For a little time, everyone in the office acts like a scientist, giving advice or sharing superstitions. One person says that eating blueberries makes him react faster, and another says that his left hand is faster than his right.
You could do a response time test even if you were half-asleep, but it’s so interesting that you won’t want to quit. It keeps your senses sharp and makes you want to compete. The data is true; all you need is you, a screen, and your quick mind. Today, clean your mouse, stretch your fingers, and test your reflexes. But don’t cheat; your honor is at risk!