This week I am going to discuss my thoughts and feelings on how technology influences social interaction:
We have grown up in a time where technology (as we know it) has been booming! It has been developing at very fast rates and I don't see it slowing at all. I remember when I was in 5th or 6th grade, I was the most baller kid in my class at playing the game “snake” on my parents “OG” Nokia cell phones. (OG = original for those of you who didn’t already know). Now I’m 20 and I have what is considered the new baller phone, an iPhone. What’s even crazier is that these days, kids aren’t playing snake on their parents ancient Nokia phones, their commenting and friend requesting their secret 6th grade crushes on Facebook from an iPhone – their own personal iPhone!!!! A little strange?? (I think so, but I’ll let you be the judge). The spread of technology and the Internet has had many positive impacts on society: people are able to seek advice for medical situations, seek help for school and work projects and even seek consolation from others after being dumped by a significant other. The Internet and cell phones have left pager companies in the dust. People can now coordinate when they will be meeting, where they will be meeting, and what they might be eating in seconds, from anywhere, on a mobile device or computer… only a few years ago you had to pick up a landline telephone (or fax) and discuss these details. There are sites for people who don’t have the comfort level or time to meet people in the real world, where one can browse thousands of profiles and try and meet/select their future husband or wife. There are sites where one can sell their old bike, stolen Giants tickets, or even themselves (for sex)…some people even try and sell their unwanted children…awesome! (not!). There are sites where people can gamble from home 24 hours a day. There are also sites where one can create their own space or put their face on a book – these sites, called social networks, connect people within the same, similar, or even varying of social group/s. These are only a very, very small introduction to the kind of things that can be found on the Internet.
So what do I think of all this? I think it’s great and I hate it. Yes I’m very bi-polar when it comes to technology and the Internet. The development of new technologies over the last 20-25 years has been a very positive thing for society in some ways. It has connected people, businesses and organizations all over the world. These new technologies have improved our productivity as a human race (those who have access to these technologies). The Internet allows things to happen a very fast pace for a very cheap price (overall). The development new technologies has also been a negative thing for society. I believe that our current population is beginning to fall into hole, where meaningful relationships are being watered down and turned into virtual “kind of” meaningful relationships. People are replacing physical places with virtual places – maybe someday we won’t have to go outside because everything we need can be accessed from a handy dandy computer (I hope this doesn’t happen!).
I believe that where human beings will be able to experience the most satisfaction is somewhere in the middle. I think of this middle ground, as a situation where human beings have become sophisticated enough to use technology in ways in which it aids their success and productivity, but does not harm or hinder their ability to form meaningful relationships or congregate in a physical place to interact. In the coming years, I believe that it is our responsibility (the people who grew up at the boom of the Internet and modern technology) to aid future generations in the process of utilizing and respecting technology and the Internet in a way that is beneficial to the human race and the process of living.
I’ll leave you with this: I’m fucking scared that my son or daughter (should I have one or some) will ask me for a cellphone for their 5th birthday, I’m scared that they will “poke” me on facebook before they “poke” me in real life to ask for a peanut butter a jelly sandwich… please help my fears NOT come true! Be agents for positive use of new technologies and the Internet.
Thanks for reading.
Brad
Your last comment about the "poke" you online before "poking" you for a PBJ left me really sad. It's really actually scary the type of electronic society our world is turing into. I fear the same things. There is nothing better than growing up playing outside with chalk in the driveway or just all those childhood memories that we were one of the last generations to have without much interference from technology taking over. Kids today play video games or text instead of playing with chalk in the yard. Hopefully this doesn't get to too much of an extreme. I agree with you that there are some good things too, but I feel like overall, its scary and hopefully future generations don't start living only through technology...
ReplyDeleteI think your fears of your future son or daughter asking for a cell phone at age 5 could actually become a concern in the next decade or so. scary thought, I know, but the age kids have started to use technology at now is getting younger and younger each year, and pretty soon we're going to have toddler who use ipods or iphones, and other crazy devices that we as kids would have never even dreamed about using. (or even needed to use).
ReplyDeleteOn another note, your thought about how we need to have a middle ground when it comes to technology makes me connect that to something we are learning in my philosophy/ethics class-- aristotle says that there needs to be a middle balance for things to be good because excess and deficiency ruin things. I think that can be applied to technology and if we integrate it too much into our life it can be a bad thing, but it would also not be smart to not use technology either-we need a proportionate balance
I completely agree with you that this could really happen in the future. I don't want the younger generations so involved with the internet that they fail to see the value in face to face interaction, appreciation for nature and the outdoors not all cooped up in their rooms with their computers and who knows what else will be invented by then. I have lived without a personal computer now for about two weeks due to the fact that it has been malfunctioning and hates me, but I have come to realize REALLY how dependant I am on technology and that's really scary.
ReplyDeleteI do also very much agree that the need for balance is necessary for us to have with technology. Too much of something is not a good thing. Therefore, I think and hope that I see more positive marketing and encouragement to do things that aren't reliant on technology. This blog reminds me of two things: A recent Modern Family show where they try to live without any technology (cell phones, macs and ipads) for 24 hours or every individual gets something they want. The parents had to bribe their kids to do this challenge with things like a car. I find that really depressing, but at the same time, I am scared to think that I too would be willing to do something like giving up technology for a car.
Second I was thinking about this book called Feed by M.T. Anderson which I read my freshman year of highschool about the future and if we had brain implants which feeds from companies swamping their heads with the latest on everything on the market. And they have NO control. So inevitably their thoughts and desires are carefully monitored by corporate interests. Althought this book is ficiton, what I find incredibly horrifying is that we are already in this direction. With facebook, the advertisements are catered specifically to the individual and even our music is defining who we are. Nevertheless I agree with you that I AM INCREDIBLY TERRIFIED TO SEE WHAT WILL COME AND HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE WHEN IT COMES TO TECHNOLOGY. This was a great blog and very relatable.
You pose a really good point about the future of technology. The crazy thing is, I feel that we are already in the future. Without getting into crazy logic, today is the future. I feel that already kids in elementary way younger than me are rocking iPhones! (Which I wish I really could...) Growing up in a home where we got internet very late, I never had much of a use for it. I only wanted to get music online... now pretty much most of my time revolves around my blackberry.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why but I kind of wish there was a slight recession or stop to the advancement of technology. I do miss old times when I didn't have the impulse to check my Facebook or Twitter. I am pretty sure the day will come where instead of playing on a playground.. kids will just be sitting inside playing video games for recess.
You are so right. The younger generations usually have a lot more technological stuff than we did back when we were young. It's kind of crazy because they honestly don't need an iPhone. Whenever I see a young kid with an iPhone or blackberry it annoys me because it's like I could definitely be putting that to use way more than that kid. And I'm pretty sure business people who don't have smartphones [if there is such a thing] would get annoyed if I had one because I'm sure they could put it more to use than I can just as a college student.
ReplyDeleteI never knew people try to sell their unwanted children, concerns.
I also agree that there should be middle ground. Balance is always a wonderful, less chaotic and crazy thing.