Due: Wednesday, 19 September by 11:59 PM
I have told you that I am a Fred Flintstone living in a George Jetson world (BTW, that's an allusion). You all are mostly, I believe, George Jetsons living in your own world.Read this New York Times article: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/26/technology/cutting-the-digital-lifeline-and-finding-serenity.html?pagewanted=all and answer the question, "Do you feel over connected?" Is it just a necessity of the 21st century? Would it possible, desirable, or stupid to envision life without this constant barrage of electronic info coming to you?
Please remember to proofread your work prior to posting it.
“The reality is there’s a dark side to social media that people need to seriously start thinking about now. Every tweet, update, video, blog post is micro- chapter of your public profile that anyone can access. Sure, its information that is created for friends, family and colleagues but it’s also out there for other people with less virtuous interests” Mark Evans.
ReplyDelete“But upon our arrival, we had an unwelcome surprise: no cellphones were allowed in the pool area. The ban threw me into a tailspin. I lingered by the locker where I had stashed my phone, wondering what messages, photos and updates I might already be missing,” Jenna states in her article. Although the use of social networking sites has become rather popular and common throughout the world as a way of keeping in touch with others in different parts of the world or even just keeping yourself updated with the latest gossip, rumor, or celebrity update, society nowadays has become oblivious to the consequences as well as risks of every post, update, photo, or video they put up out there.
Truth is, the majority of us today, especially teenagers, have become dependent on electronics and technology. The minute we are told to put away our cell phones for any reason, whatever it might be, we have this longing feeling to constantly check our messages, updates, or posts because the minute we leave our phone, we feel like we’ve lost touch with the world. Relative to our cell phones, our computers work the same way. Facebook is rather, a way of keeping ourselves updated with what’s happening in the world. Whether it has to do with a bombing in a country or the elections in a country to which well-known person has just passed away, Facebook will be talking about it.
The constant creation of technological devices has led us to frequently rely on devices for reasons that may vary. Essay due: “Oh I’ll type it, too lazy to write.” Forgot to hand in a paper: “Oh I’ll e-mail it to you, forgot to print it.” Bored: “Oh let me go on Facebook and twitter and see what’s going on.” Rumours: “Oh my god did you see what that girl did this weekend?” The reasons are endless. Yet I can’t help but think how life would be without “this constant barrage of electronic info” coming to me. And yes if we told our parents this they would say, “When I was your age I didn't have all these gadgets and I managed to do it, so can you.” The thing is we can do it; it would be difficult at first, but very possible. But growing up in a world that is technologically developed where new gadgets are invented almost everyday has caused us to be so reliant on them.
Even though Facebook users have somewhat of an access to controlling who they’d like their posts, photos, or videos to be visible to, there are several cunning people out there who can access your profile, updates, and pictures, and use them in dangerous ways such as threats, manipulation, or even kidnapping. Nevertheless, one can control who sees his or her profile and information, but at the end of the day, the network itself has an access to every update, post, photo, video, and even your information. Facebook has recently allowed their users home addresses and phone numbers to be public and no longer private. This means that anyone out there, dangerous or not, has an access to that information. We may not realize it now since we haven’t experienced these consequences, but as we continue to ignore these risks, the possibilities of danger may increase. It is time we keep our personal information to ourselves and “only tell people what you want them to know, not what they want you to know.”
Farah, I don't see where you address the prompt EXPLICITLY? Do you feel over-connected? Is the connectedness necessary? Do you or would you ever try to have your life less connected? Why/Why not? You do say to be careful about what sort of info you post and to whom, but you don't actually say how you feel about them.
ReplyDeleteToday, digital devices have been formulated to function in a way that keeps people close no matter how far the distances are. In a way, this can be seen as a positive influence when trying to stay in contact with distant family members. However, as mentioned in the article, this can also have a negative impact on the world, especially on today’s teenagers. Personally, I don’t believe that I’m over connected however, I do tend to stay attached to my blackberry from time to time. For example, BBM is the leading obsession of today’s teens. With every vibration of the phone comes a new message; With every message comes some new gossip; and finally with every new gossip, comes an attachment to the iPhone or Blackberry. To us, teenagers, this is a necessity of the 21st century since we all want to stay connected. However, it does lead to an invasion of personal privacy. Along with this comes the dangers on the internet. For example, revealing too much on your facebook page or uploading inappropriate pictures can lead to numerous consequences as well as opening a path for “stalkers” to get to know you.
ReplyDeleteEnvisioning life without the constant barrage of electronic information passing around to everyone could be desirable. As mentioned in the article, when Jenna Wortham left her phone in her locker, she felt her hands shaking and she needed to have her phone around her to stay updated; To see if people were at parties; To see if she had received any picture; And to update pictures on how she was having a great time at the beach. Taking this useful piece of technology away from people can lead them to view the world from a different perspective than from behind their phone. Personally, I wouldn’t want to have my phone taken away from me. In a way, it helps me socialize with my friends more often than to constantly have to call them and use up my units.
Nowadays, electronics are known as the cause for the lack of communication in family gatherings. For example, can you imagine your parents trying to have a serious conversation with you yet you’re on BBM getting all the latest gossip circulating around your school from your best friends? At the end, there will be no parent to child communication. Overall, being connected can have a different meaning to everyone. While some try to stay in contact with distant family members, others remain completely blocked out of the world and attached to BBM gossip.
You stress the "connectedness" you have at all times. My question is this: how truly connected are you to the people and events directly around you when you are constantly listening for a message alert or waiting for the vibration telling you a new message has come through? You're the one who said "multi-tasking is not possible." Isn't it multi-tasking to always have a part of your attention directed to what the phone might do?
DeleteThe purpose of technologies such as phones and computers in my opinion is to enhance communication between people. Reading this article I realized that I could really relate to this woman and at times I’ve felt out of place without my phone. Nowadays children of all ages are carrying the newest of phones and they are learning about technologies at a much faster rate then ever. It’s a good thing that children are learning about technology really early in life and I speak with experience. I was lucky to have received a phone at a young age and I do not at all regret it. I love technology and I enjoy blowing 1 hour of valuable/productive time just going through it and chatting. It’s become an addiction for teenagers all over the world.
ReplyDeleteThe reason I don’t regret getting a phone at an early age and being addicted to it is due to self-control. I can say I’m good with technology because I’m capable of using phones, computers etc.… and I know a lot about them. Also when doing work I keep my phone aside. I play golf and I’ve noticed the more I use my phone on the course, the more I lose focus on the game. In this case my phone becomes a distraction and it affects my score. I golf a lot so I do appreciate the beauty of nature and I see the things surrounding me.
Do I feel over connected? I would say no because my social life seems to be the same on my phone and in real life. I make friends in reality and when we are at our own places we socialize with the help of a phone. When in person the conversations are always more humorous and always have more meaning. They have more meaning in the sense that, when I talk on instant messaging, its a way for me to pass time, say nonsense, and at times even share some info that’s important.
Now lets imagine I lose my phone, or I’ve lost the privilege to use it. This would be stressing for me. I would feel like my social life, my planner, and a part of me is missing. Although I’ve mentioned earlier I can put my phone away, it doesn’t mean I can remove it forever. Getting rid of my phone completely will stress me out and put me out of place, but at the end of the day, ill end up getting addicted to not having a phone.
You bring up an interesting point: your ability to turn off and disconnect when you are doing something you really want to do. You even talk about the fact that you do worse in golf if you try to social network at the same time. Obviously, you would do worse in anything you try to do that splits the focus. Do you turn off the phone and email and facebook when you study?
DeleteI think back to my parents’ or even my grandparents’ generation when access to media and information was limited and yet they managed to make a good living and have a successful life. To this day, my father and my grandfather enjoy reading books so much that they can’t fall asleep without reading. In fact, my father, much to the annoyance of my mother, has a habit of reading even at dinner table. I think that today we are very much over connected and constantly bombarded with information, be it through print media, Internet or television. At times it can be overwhelming and somewhat disorienting.
ReplyDeleteI also believe that the more the world evolves, the more information is needed for further advances in the betterment of human lives. I feel it’s too late now to limit the availability of information that is available to us in our daily lives because we, as human beings, have gotten used to having information on every subject possible, at our fingertips. It would be quite silly to envision that we can manage in today’s world without the constant barrage of electronic information coming our way. The rapid technological advances in the world today would not have been possible without this constant bombardment of information because it’s this easy availability to information that, in a sense, nourishes our brains and allows us to think, analyze, and generate ideas for further advancements.
However, it’s up to individuals to set our own limits as to how much information we want to be bombarded with in our daily lives. In order to maintain some sense of tranquility and individuality, it’s important, from time to time, to be in an environment where we can be without any access to this constant bombardment of information, whether it’s for a day, a week or a month. I believe this absence from daily bombardment helps the mind to relax and rejuvenate.
Alina, you directly address the prompt and argue strongly against technological appendages. Do you actually pay attention to your own advice and plan down time for yourself?
DeleteTechnology can be described as the most effective development of 21st century. Although it has not been even 5 years from release of smartphones, it is very hard to find people not using smartphones today. Sharing information with others, using facebook, whatsapp and twitter, became easier and more “online communication” is being made among people. Yes, social network gives us benefits such as it allows communication with friends who are overseas, we do not need to make payment for the service and it is fast and easy to use. However, today, especially among teenagers, excessive use of social networks by their phones is leading to not so much positive consequences. Of course connectedness is important, but anything too much is worse than having too less.
ReplyDeleteI personally do not feel over connected. I am definitely not obsessed with text-messaging, like BBM, and I admit that I visit facebook everyday but I do not feel anxious or stressed when I cannot access to it. This does not mean that I have no social life but I know how to keep my limits and do not spend too much time in communication with others online. Everyone who are addicted to text messaging and cannot leave their phones away from them for a second would say, “Oh- But you know that it is a very common thing to today's teenagers and connecting with others is just a necessity in the modern world.” Yes, connection is very important, since we are in an age of globalization and internet. However, I do not agree that looking at the phones, waiting for new messages and feeling anxious without connection should be considered common or widely accepted.
It would be possible for me to have few days without connection, feeling the freedom and solitude. However, I will not be able to live my whole life without my phone- that would cut all my contacts with my friends in South Africa or in the United States. It is not stupid to have few days without electric information but I would say, if I get to stop use of social network, that will not do any benefit too.
From trivial issues to significant news, most of us gain information from the social network. It is true that connection today is a vital element our lives but too much use of it should be considered unfavorable. Just as what Wilhelm Hofmann, the assistant professor of University of Chicago Booth School of Business said, “It’s a problem of self-control.”
Interesting. You say you could probably go a few days w/o your connectedness, but not forever. You do NOT say you feel any desire to go for any amount of time w/o it. You focus mostly on today's teens, but I see the addiction in people much older. I think when someone is on a motorbike in traffic with tons of traffic sounds around and they have to pull over to fish their phone out of their bag (which is strapped tot he back of the bike) because it messaged them that they have a text, they are assuredly over focused on the messages. In Taiwan, it's normal to see a family of four on the family moped with the driver on the cell phone - even texting or reading while driving on a bike with small children. I think this level is too much, but maybe it's just me?
DeleteAll the electronic devices are made to make communication between people easier and faster. Let’s think about it, means of communication have only got better. We began from messenger to smartphone. I really think that nowadays a world without electronic will be impossible. Of course our grandparents will not say the same thing; they grew up without seeing everyone having phones in their hands. Electronic definitely have a positive and negative influence in today’s world. Living in a 21st century world without electronic is impossible; almost everything is made with your phone, computer or smartphone. You want to order a pizza, talk to your friend in San Diego or even just read a book while you are in the train... You will use your phone or tablet. We live in a world where everything must be done the minute so if your boss wants to see the report you made of the last meeting you are not going to send it to him by mails it will take two days; you are simply going to take your smartphone and send it to him.
ReplyDeleteToo much electronic in our lives can have something really negative. Imagine just five minutes without access to internet on every countries of the globe; I can’t even list all the damage that it will cause to governments, banks, NGOs or even entire countries. The most important thing in life is education and writing is one of them but today you can fit perfectly in the society if you don’t know how to write. Books almost don’t exist anymore; new generations learn how to read on iPad or other kind of tablet. “You’re home alone, but watching your friends’ status updates tell of a great party happening somewhere.” said Caterina Fake. This is exactly what teenagers do. My mum will always tell me: “Stop using your phone for a second!” but I can’t. As soon I see the red light flashing, I have to look at my phone and see who is sending me a message. Teenagers are always on their phones and it became a kind of habit.
Even when we are face to face, we can’t help but use our phones. A simple example, we are at lunch and Jennifer is right next to me but instead of telling her what I want to say, I will text her and say out loud: “Jenn, BBM!” We need to reduce the use of electronic devices in our lives, because those devices can cause many damages to our health too. Even though I sometimes feel over connected, I absolutely think that electronic is a necessity to our world and it would be desirable to envision life without this constant barrage of electronic info coming to you.
Very, very interesting comment about the fact that in a global sense, even 5 minutes of connect-free time would be not only noticed, but hurtful to business and government. While this freaks me out a bit, you are probably correct. If not five minutes, then a half hour would make a difference.
DeleteIt also saddens me to think that you would actually text a friend you are sitting next to instead of talking to her. Why would you do this?
Since I call more than one place home, I am great full for the possibility of social media. It makes it a lot easier to keep in contact with all my friends and family from the different places. Although I am great full for it, I do find it annoying many times. Some people seem to feel a need to explain and share all the little details of their lives that I really don’t care about. I try to use it mainly to keep up with my closest friends. It is way too easy to waste your time just staring at the screen waiting for things to update, so that you can see what ever new information pops up. The only thing I enjoy about social media is to hear from friends and family, even though I stay on them to hear and see about so many other things that I don’t actually care about.
ReplyDeleteI remember once when my family and I got to go to Kikongo for a short vacation from Kinshasa. The worst part (but also one of the best parts) about the trip was that there was no internet connection there. It was annoying at first, to not be able to talk/chat with anyone who wasn’t in Kikongo with me. But after a while it gave be a sense of freedom from the rest of the world.
Being an introvert I am fine with staying alone for a week end.
I have only had one cell phone in my life, and I never used it much. I am not as screen stuck as some people who text nonstop all day, which I am really great full for. The internet has so much information that is possible to consume, but the knowledge and wisdom that you could gain from the real world is so much more rewarding in the long run.
Sam, since I agree with you philosophically, this is a reply I can relate to easily - esp. the note about how easy it was to get over not having access to the outside while in Kikongo. Do you do most of your connecting with friends and family via computer - since you say you don't use the mobile phone much and you make it sound like that was a thing of the past?
DeleteTechnology I believe is just a necessity of the 21st century, it feels that way to our generation because this is something we’re just born into and therefore it is very hard for us to avoid it. Although it would be desirable if we could have control on the amount of times we go on social network sites or the amount of times we text people. Personally, I would say I am addicted to social networking sites though not so much to my phone because it’s very basic, and there aren’t a lot of things to do with it in comparison to the smartphones. Mostly for all teenagers, life is very much dependent on technology and imagining life without it is like imagining some fourth dimension. It’s definitely not stupid to envision life without technology, but rather is desirable and may not be possible in everyone’s case. It depends on the person you are, to some people it might seem just impossible but for some it’s not a problem at all.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I do sometimes feel over connected; I can’t go a day without checking my facebook. If I don’t go on Facebook even for one day I feel like there is something missing. Yes, I do have friends at school and I talk to them every day, but Facebook is a world in its own, it enables me to talk to my friends all over the world. It seems to make the world smaller. Though I am not as attached to my phone because my parents never really agreed on buying me a smartphone, guess they knew the consequences. I also don’t regret having a blackberry like everyone because I have seen how addicted people can get and I’m glad my parents never bought me a blackberry or an iphone. It is also ironic that I hate it when people use their phones when you talk to them because it’s very disrespectful and people fail to realise that. This is just one drawback of technology in the 21st century. Also there is so much information just floating out there which also aids in increasing crime rates. For me it’s hard to deduce if the advantages of technology outweigh the disadvantages or vice-versa.
I feel that to envision life without technology isn’t stupid, we’ve been doing it for more than a millennium, why not now? I also agree it is hard but nothing really is impossible, it just depends on how dependent people have made themselves. Everything has it pros and cons and technology is one of them. I also believe this same technology has helped to make the world smaller and it helps us stay in contact with old friends. It just keeps us updated on what’s really going on, whether it is gossip or serious news. So I would say it is not impossible to envision life without technology but it surely is desirable. I would love not to be a Facebook addict but force of habit just doesn’t let me do that. I can never really stay in peace; there is always this urge to know things which causes even more stress.
You sound a bit like to fat woman on the beach who looks at the well-muscled, trim women in bikinis and says "I'd do anything for a body like that." She doesn't realize that all she has to do is diet and exercise. You say you are addicted and don't want to be so. The choice is yours tp make. Habits take 28 days to make. If you want to break free of Facebook, go off of it for a month and see if, after 28 days, you still feel the need to check it. It will be VERY hard the first week or two...
DeleteYou do say it's necessary in the 21st century. Why?
Present day technologies are engineered to keep everyone connected. It is engineered for people to know whats happening around the world. Those are some of the posetive points about present day technology. Like when there were elections here in DRC I remember texting my friends and getting to know if they were safe or not, and what was going on in their neighborhood. Also to know if they have any new news about the situation. With technology I can also talk to my friends that I know I will not see for a while, because they are either studying somewhere else or they are on a vacation. Plus when I go to university I will want to stay connected with my friends and my family. Technology will enable me to do that.
ReplyDeleteAlso now most of the phones have instant messaging applications like BBM or Whatsapp. For us teenager this is like a need. Take the example of our school. Most of us have Blackberries and have BBM, Jenna states in the article, "The ban threw me into a tailspin. I lingered by the locker where I had stashed my phone, wondering what messages, photos and updates I might already be missing, " thats how we are when we have been away from our phones. We have this constant thought in out minds that what did my friend reply and other thought like that. Facebook is another thing that teenager are addicted to these days, constantly checking for updates and other things.
I would not say that I am that connected to my phones. Yeah sure I would think about the reply I got from a friend but only if it was a conversation worth thinking about. Technology is a really good nessesity. We get to learn new things and stay connected with eachother. As it is I like talking to people face to face then on a chat screen because you have expresions on your face while talking to other people so they could know if the phrase was sarcastic or normal. Alot of thing on a chat screen can be misunderstood.
You raise a point no one has mentioned yet: the lack of body language to help get a point across. I think this may go hand in hand with someone working in a 2nd or 3rd language. It's much more difficult to talk on the phone than in person because of the help you get through personal contact and "face time".
DeleteWould you live comfortably without your BBM, Facebook or texting?
As Salman said technologies such as phones or laptops are to improve communication between people. I think it is impressive how nowadays Technology has improved so much. Every technology that involves ways to communicate with people like phones with Sms, Bbm on Blackberries or Facebook are ways to communicate with almost everyone on Earth. Every year Technology improves. Many people try to stay updated and get the new Iphone, new Ipad, Mac, and Blackberry when it just came out. Plus it is so frequent to see someone using that type of device today than it can even sound weird if somebody of your surroundings tells you he doesn’t own a phone or a computer.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to me, I do think that I’m over connected like most people of my generation. Of course I really need to get in touch with other people outside of this country, such as my parents who live in Nigeria with the family or my family in Belgium, but it cannot be some kind of addiction. I have already experienced many times without any of my phones or my laptop, even on purpose, because I sometimes like to stay calm and I almost feel free without all these phones buzzing or those ring tones that tend to make me feel stressed sometimes. In fact what makes me think that I’m not that attached to my devices is that I can really see myself living without having any electronic info coming to me for a while.
Though I could imagine myself living without any devices for a couple days, I think it wouldn’t be desirable to envision my life or the entire world without this constant barrage of electronic info, because I don’t think it would do any benefit. People in different countries need to interact with each other; such as companies communicating with other companies, People needing news from their family, Governments interacting with other governments… I just think that the world of today would not work without this Technology otherwise it would just look like the Stone Age. And when it comes to us teenagers we have evolved in that period of technological improvement. We just cannot totally live without it.
Kevin, like Maelle you stress the need for our flat, global world to remain connected by cutting edge technology. Broadening the focus away from our daily lives of "who's sending me a text" toward big business and families spread over the globe makes it sound much more like a tool than a hinderance. I do know it is frustrating for me to contact my brother who has no internet or telephone. To send a hard copy letter to let him know anything, even "I've arrived safely" seems silly when I know he won't get the message for about a month. If I had a child or spouse in another country, I'd appreciate the instant access.
DeleteTechnology is a necessity for most people in the 21st century, it’s not only used by teenagers, it is also used by their parents and often even their grandparents. Technology has infiltrated practically every aspect of our daily lives from Ipads, phones and computers replacing the morning paper at the breakfast table to visiting book store without leaving your home. Though it may seem like technology is bringing people together, it is also keeping them and us apart.
ReplyDeleteTechnology and social media has made the world smaller. Now friends and family can easily get in touch with you, and thanks to video chat, they can even see you. It has changed the world in more ways than we can imagine. I don’t think that the creator of Facebook, Zuckerberg could have ever predicted that his site would help a revolution happen in Egypt or reunite missing children with their families. Thanks to technology, people in some ways have more freedom and they can stay connected to not only their loved ones, but the world.
We are over connected however, in the way that people often spend a large amount of their time telling the world how much “fun” they are having via Twitter or Facebook, but I don’t think they realize that approximately 71% of Tweets are ignored. So the “fun” they are supposedly having, is not being fully experienced, and the “fun” they are trying to share with the world is being ignored. So maybe if people put their phones away and actually experienced life with the people around them they might feel more connected.
I don’t think it’s is impossible to take a break from your phone/technology, but it definitely takes some getting used to. As I myself find it really difficult to go through the day without a phone or access to internet, but I have done it, and it’s strangely relaxing. As it keeps you focused you and the people around you, rather than your friend’s party in say, China.
Rita, like I do Sam, I agree with you. At least in the aspect of remaining connected to those within your physical presence. It bothers me to see a group of people together, all sitting around, each on their own device, completely disconnected from the immediate environment. I've seen it in meetings, on public transit, and most recently at a dance! Kids sitting around the dance floor together, each on his own phone, texting someone in, China.
DeleteTechnology has advanced to a great extent. It allows any type of communication and is viewed as the “best thing “nowadays. Technology makes it a lot easier to contact people around the globe. Smart phones, laptops, i-pad and many other technological devices do affect the way people behave around others and how lazy it makes us. Honestly, BBM, Facebook, twitter, and all the social networking sites are an “addiction” for teenagers. Technology does bring people together but it also keeps us apart from many. People are so passionate about BBM and Facebook that whenever our parents or friends are talking to us, we just completely ignore them and stick to the screen. Technology takes up a great amount of time of billions of people.
ReplyDeleteTechnologies have their negative and positives side effects. Personally, if i was asked to give away my phone or laptop I’d die but i totally agree that it is a huge distraction. It keeps me from doing much better and productive things. People have made it their priority. I’ve known so many people who decide to BBM or skype with their friends instead of doing their homework or spending time with their families. Many people look at in a way of getting quick information, news, gossip, or being able to research on the spot which is true, but on the other hand it makes you indolent and lazy. Everything in the 21st century requires a phone, from talking to a friend in the States to reading a book to ordering food. Although it is a very common thing among teenagers, it is rapidly increasing among adults too and the usage of technology has reached a level of insanity. I believe that if the world wasn’t technologically advanced in such a manner, people would have been able to give more time to the necessary things rather than just facebooking and BBMing all day long. I am not saying it is not a need; it is very helpful and allows things to happen which didn’t take place before.
However, it’s up to every individual to set their own limits as to how much information they need in their lives. In order to maintain some sense of calmness it is very important to be in an environment where we can be without any technology even if it’s for a day. I believe that this helps us to relax and free ourselves from the daily technological attractions.
I like your comment about it being "up to every individual to set his own limits as to how much information he needs in his life." It's in this limiting the amount of info rather than the "mindless addiction" part that your have added a new dimension to the conversation. How much info can we actually take in? I think looking things up in books was easier because our resources were finite. Now there is always more to know and see. It's exhausting for everyone.
DeleteThe purpose of electronic devices is to make communication easier between people. Technology is improving everyday and we just can’t completely live without it. Like Shreya said:” Technology I believe is just a necessity of the 21st century, it feels that way to our generation because this is something we’re just born into and therefore it is very hard for us to avoid it.”We all have families and friends who live in different places; we could not talk to them without all those devices. That is the positive point. The negative point, especially for us teenagers, is that electronic devices become part of our life; we “can’t” live without them. We bring them everywhere with us. When we don’t have them, we feel incomplete just like Jenna. It is a necessity for us to have them. We rather use our phones then to go to the library, we can have everything in our phones or tablets.
ReplyDeleteJust like Jenna, I realized that I was over connected a year after I got my blackberry which is a trend today for teenagers. I couldn’t “live” without it; I did not want to miss any new updates or news about what people were doing. After I realized that it was a distraction for me. I stopped being with it everywhere and I’m living well today. I leave it home when I’m at school or when I go out with my friends or family. People give more information about themselves than we need to know which can be a danger for them. They never know who he is going to see that information and what they are going to do with it.
It is a necessity today to have all those devices but a person must have self-control on how to use them. A person must limit himself his access to internet and all. It is possible to envision a life without all these electronic devices. People were able to live without them in the past so why not us?
You seem to have found a "delicate balance" between having connectivity available to you and being able to control when it comes at you. I'm still intrigued by the way you all connect this addiction problem with teens. I've seen many, many people - most in their 30s and 40s, but some even older than I am - walking down the street chatting away on their bluetooths or driving and texting. I was the only one to show up for a meeting the other day with a pen and paper calender - all the rest brought laptops. I still think of the computer as a piece of furniture. Hmmm.
ReplyDeleteTechnology is being improved day by days. People nowadays are having less interest doing thing manually because they know that they will to refer back to it not only because it are have started to use they cellphone more often not only because they get to stay in touch with the large amount of people they know, but they can also use it share they personal interest on the internet in which that they get access to it from their mobile.
ReplyDeleteBut nowadays people use technology as a way of distraction, and nowadays days people are starting to let technology interferring with they social life and self interest, and that is such as people mostly want to spend they free time socializing with people on social network which is also a good thing because it helps a human to improve on his or her socializing skill. Even though as been mentioned by Joshua Gross that thinks that our modern society is over communicating then before because one of the thing that he had mentioned is that there is more information stored on the Web, but most of the times informations on the Web is not stuff that we need for a certain type of question or query that we are looking for, and one thing that people do not realize is that technology is nothing without the internet, and the more people that use the internet then it is how slow the internet connection becomes.
Although most of the people think that spending like an hour or two without using they cellphone or any type of technology that helps them to be able to access to the the internet, they think that they are missing a lot, while it is instead it is them missing out of what nature gives us, because of enjoying what nature has to offer us, were not and instead we neglecting it.