We have become too dependent on technology and we’d be better off returning to the “good old days” before the Internet and smartphones took over: Agree or disagree?
Lol, what are the good old days anyways? Technology refers to all inventions that has enhanced the way of life in any way. To me, the “good old days” had their own technological advancements. I swear it’s a generational thing where people of the past critique, get uncomfortable and want things to go back to the way they were when they were growing up. Our world moves at an unstoppable rate and the future only has more technological advancements planned. People are learning about technology, coding and innovations at an earlier age than ever before and this enables the future to continue to grow. Additionally, with all of these new advancements people are “locked in” to the internet, apps, social media, etc. more than ever. The question is, are people becoming too dependent on this technology, or are we using technology to enhance our lifestyle and create new innovations? Read more to find out… Agree: Have you ever walked across the street while also texting your friends to meet up for a coffee? Well, if you have you may want to cut that multitasking skill out of your life. According to our debater from this week, people are actually getting injured while walking and texting. CRAZY! Check out this article for more information on how an augmented reality video game has caused at least 2 people their lives. People relying on their phones have not only lead to horrific consequences such as death, but there are also many other health affects. In the article Could You Be Addicted to Technology, Shainna Ali explains all of the different negative affects people are facing due to their addiction to technology. Below are only a few of the problems associated with excessive technology use noted by Ali:
Another concern that is facing the technological literate age is that people are becoming too dependent on technology, they are actually losing basic skills. One of the examples that came up in our debate was the reliance on GPS navigation systems. In the article, Have we become too reliant on GPS? Brad Plume discusses the negative affects GPS is giving people. Plume believes that, "navigation is a real skill we have, it's something very fundamental and something we’re really really good at. And we should be thinking about how to augment those skills with computers — not just trying to overwrite them." Other skills that we discussed in the debate were losing the skill to memorize a phone number and the inability to write and communicate face-to-face.In conclusion, according to the facts stated above people are becoming too dependent on technology. It is evident that people are being consumers first, before they are giving back. People are missing big moments in life because of the addiction to their smartphone. People are booking trips for the sole purpose of capturing a perfect Instagram photo. As a society, we need to think about ways to be more productive with the use of technology and not so reliant and dependent on these tiny devices to bring us happiness. Disagree: Counter to the above argument, there were many legitimate reasons as to why we have not become too dependent on technology. The first reason being there is in fact many benefits of using technology. Technology has connected people from around the globe and has given multiple platforms for different forms of collaboration. Technology has allowed people to overcome distance and time, as well as give people the opportunity to create and share projects with others. Dex Torricke-Barton’s blog post, How the Internet is Uniting the World comments, “the internet is the largest community in history — as big as the global population in 1960. It crosses every border and culture. And enough people are connected that the internet has become a planetary infrastructure for communications and collaboration. The tools and knowledge of one nation now belong to all nations.” THIS IS SO COOL. Global collaboration has never been stronger, news is able to spread like wildfire and people are connected to each other whether they know it or not. Because of this, the internet acts as a powerful tool for opportunity. People are able to share and collect information anywhere, making technology one of the most efficient sources in the world. We are able to quickly research information where we are at our own convenience. We can use technology as a tool that serves as a medium of connection, power and opportunity. Because of technology, education has become digital. Online courses and MOOT’s have enabled people to stay at home and still get an education. In the end, there will always be a problem with or without technology. As consumers, it is our responsibility to use technology responsibly. There are many negative side affects to too much use of technology, but that bright side is that we have control over all of it. If we are concerned about losing the skill to navigate, use paper maps, if we are becoming so involved in social media our mental health is being affected, take a break. We are the ones in the front seat, driving technology. Meaning, we can be the ones to push the breaks. I have to admit, this debate was another challenging topic. I fall in the middle AGAIN, because there are pro’s and con’s to both. I definitely do not want to go back to the good old days, but I do think that people have created some negative digital habits that could be revisited. I love technology, and the advancements and opportunity is has brought into society, how we use it, well that’s up to us. Here are more resources that were shared in my debate class! Agree:
Disagree: https://www.ted.com/talks/stefana_broadbent_how_the_internet_enables_intimacy https://www.ted.com/talks/nancy_lublin_texting_that_saves_lives https://www.ted.com/talks/a_choir_as_big_as_the_internet The quote I want to leave you with will hopefully give you a “aha” moment and change your perspective on how you think about robots taking over jobs. “One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary [women]. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary [woman].” – Elbert Hubbard (Yes I changed the wording slightly…) Have a great week! Ttyl -Ms. S
2 Comments
Kaytlyn
4/2/2019 05:30:13 pm
Ashlee, I really liked how at the beginning of your blog post you addressed that technology is essentially any invention that has been made to enhance life in some way as that really puts it into perspective how widespread technology really is. Looking at technology through this lens makes the good 'old days' almost nonexistent as there was always been some sort of technology constantly evolving. Thank you for sharing this unique concept.
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Jayden Lang
4/4/2019 08:22:34 am
Hey Ashlee,
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