If it is the former, then is this something we should be worried about and can it be detrimental to society or is this just the way things are and will be from now on? According to the Pew study in the article "Internet not destroying society", technology is not destroying society, as "Internet users are more likely than others to be active in some kind of voluntary group or organization". These organizations include community groups, charitable or volunteer organizations, sports leagues, and more. So maybe this addiction can have positive effects?
If it is the latter and this generation just has a greater curiosity for their relations with people, should we be worried about the effects of this curiosity or is it harmless? Personally, I am worried that the need to check one's phone as soon as it shows any sign of life (text, call, facebook message...) will cause accidents. Texting while driving can never be a good thing, as it has cause many accidents, but even the students admitted to injuries because of their need for instant gratification. For instance, one student had a bruise on his harm from walking straight into the handle of the fridge. Is this new phenomenon something we should fear- too much curiosity for technology and not enough for the world surrounding us?
Photo from:
http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/texting2.jpg
Sophie,
ReplyDeleteI think your post touched upon some very important points about 21st century technology, and how people interpret its usage. One side of the spectrum is that we are addicted to technology, and this is supported by the fact that people are texting while driving and say they feel incomplete without their phone in their pocket. It really is amazing when you think about how people are willing to risk their lives over a text message. However, I think that our easy access to technology has enabled people to expand their networks and interact in ways that were previously impossible. I think there has been an increase in the popularity voluntary groups and organizations because it's easier for people to communicate and and discuss issues with all of the technology we have. I think the key to maintaining a healthy society, is that we do not become overdependent on technology, but continue to use it to network and communicate with others.
It is definitely interesting to see the impact that technology has on our lives. I think we are way too dependent upon technology and this could be seen as extremely harmful. Even in the articles we have read last week about the effects on Facebook, it is clear that technology has started to take over our lives for better or for worse. This quote from Jordan's article, "In an online survey of 92 Facebook users conducted by The Michigan Daily, 71 percent said they go on Facebook while in class," reflects upon your question about addiction to technology. In my opinion, this need to check Facebook several times a day and the need to answer a text immediately, has extremely detrimental effects. Our society is too dependent on technology and if we do not have internet service or if we do not have a signal on our cellphones, we are at a loss of what to do. Yes, there are positive outcomes such as forming connections but becoming too dependent on the internet has caused us to lose out on several opportunities, such as face to face communication. The internet could be distracting and it could also be helpful. I guess there is no true answer to this question then. Each person will have their own opinion on this topic and they will be able to back themselves up with explicit examples. For me, I am at a loss of words. I just do not know whether technology is helping or hurting our society. The picture you displayed along with the article "Alone Together" helped me realize how we technology can destroy our lives but then again the Pew Study begs to differ. In conclusion I do not think there is one correct answer for such a controversial debate.
ReplyDeleteTechnology has provided the world with both inventions that can save lives, but unfortunately has also provided the world with creations that can kill, whether they were intended to or not. With this being said, the excerpt "Alone Together" focused on some of the more recent and surprisingly dangerous side effects of constant communication. Technology was created to help society and advance it, but instead it addicts and controls the minds of all, making it impossible to be out of touch for more then 10 minutes. Sophie I loved your post as it brought up some points that made me question a lot not only about society as a whole, but about my morals as well. The fact of the matter is it's not about being in contact whenever someone needs to get you, it's about being able to pay attention to the real world despite everything else going on in the technical world, and unfortunately driving has taken a literal crash course when it comes to texting.
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