Mike Elgan at Computerworld has a column about overcoming “Internet distraction disorder:” Get a second computer, and use it just for play.

You probably already have a desktop PC or a laptop as your main “work” device. What you need is a separate “play” machine. A touch tablet, such as an Apple iPad, is ideal for that purpose. But a second laptop would do just as well….

When you need a break, switch to that system. The important thing is to be very clear in your mind about when you’re really working, and when you’re really not. By doing that, you’ll achieve undisrupted “flow” in your work, and you’ll enjoy guilt-free fun when you choose to take a break.

Okay. The more positive interpretation of this column is that it argues that people can change their habits with technologies, and make their lives better. The negative interpretation is that what it offers, fundamentally, is a technological fix for a cognitive problem. Technology is making you distracted? Get more of it!

I think the problem here is that the first, more positive interpretation doesn’t really hold up: the column isn’t really arguing for sustained self-experimentation, nor does it suggest to readers either that they should think more seriously about how they engage with devices and the Web, nor how might do so more happily, nor what variety of different types of engagements have worked for different people– in short, to make yourself less distracted by doing the work of improving your brain and your brain-device interface/ecology. It assumes that the way to make your life better is to consume more technology.

(And how long will it be before Facebook comes out with its own device, or partners with a hardware company– and maybe a few other distracting Web sites– to offer a “solution” to the problem of being distracted by Facebook?)