The Trials and Tribulations of Technology
In this day and age, humanity is truly dependent upon technology for performing basic operations, keeping up-to-date, and, of course, entertainment purposes. It has marked our advancement as a civilization and our superiority as a nation in terms of frequency of its use. Whether it is a computer, iPod or iPhone, text messaging, video games, AIM, or the like, any form of technology lurks and predates the scene when one least expects it. Although these innovations have proven to be favorable in terms of research, improvement, well-being, and scientific advancement, there is an underlying problem threatening the way we function as human beings.
As a concerned member of Generation Y— one marked by the Internet, deep and incessant regard for celebrity well-being, and great materialism —I feel like human interactions and communication are increasingly artificial and fake. People in our age group are so glued to their devices that they ignore basic functions and human interface altogether. Face it, your iPod dictates your life, and your phone, with its delicious extensive texting abilities communicates on your behalf. What happened to good ol’ fashioned talking and living? If we continue down this path, our existence will soon be limited to some other newfangled contraption (even one that might cause health problems).
The Internet poses the most challenging feat to standard communication. Bill Gates, Microsoft founder and business extraordinaire, notes, “The Internet is becoming the town square for the global village of tomorrow.” This medium of exchange is clearly unavoidable, and interaction through it is bound to occur, making such a process of chatting at greater distances or with a good friend viable. And yet, despite its potential to connect people over long distances, it is the Internet which fuels the critical issue at hand: zombie-like, socially-inept people who would rather chat online than go out in public with their real-life friends and interact face-to-face with live human beings! Even they manage to escape the pull of the laptop and go out, many people are still glued to their iPhone, computer, or Bluetooth devices instead of paying attention to those they are with. Technology fuels an addiction that when improperly used, will take a tumultuous toll on the abuser.
Another visible implication of this phenomenon is how emotions or written fragments are interpreted through viable technological means. Without facial expressions and tone inflection, the meaning of a communication using AIM, Facebook chat, Yahoo Messenger, or text messages is not always easily interpreted. For example, the recipient could misinterpret a simple text like “hey what’s up” as mean, uninterested, or impersonal.
We should not be so reliant upon Facebook or MySpace as the sole means of maintaining a friendship. Conversation, with all its depth, is now being limited to 160 character messages. There is no personal touch or feeling in writing a message. We lose that intimate connection with friends the longer we spend time on the Internet. Social interactions are alleged to increase with the use of social websites, but a study shows that Internet communication will cause people to “to spend more time alone, talking online with strangers, or forming superficial “drive by” relationships, at the expense of deeper face-to-face discussion and companionship with friends and family (e.g., Putnam, 2000, pg. 179).” The notion of developing a great social presence, with a wide net of contacts, will deter us from maintaining the social relationships that matter most.
Although it is a pivotal instrument for fueling the economy, sustenance, and drive for creativity, technology found commonplace in the world has repercussions mostly concealed from public view. As humans, we are the arbiters of deciding whether or not it is a friend or foe. Embrace life the way it is meant to be fostered—find no substitutes for such a bestowed entity.
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