Today our means for communication are endless: twelve billion text messages are sent worldwide every day. Thirteen million Canadians are Facebook users. And the number of personal computers in use around the globe is expected to double in the next four years. But is all this access to technology actually making our lives better?
Are We Digital Dummies? takes a hard look at how computers and the latest cell phone technology affect our families and our co-workers in addition to our own lives.
"I don't think I've met a single person who says they're happy managing the technology pace," says Tod Maffin, a Canadian expert on technology use. "One of the problems with living in an 'always on' society is we perceive the need to always be on."
Canadians interviewed for the film say they now can't live without their personal devices. But they also complained that computers and especially smart phones like the BlackBerry have taken over their lives and they worry about how much time they're spending surfing the internet. And it is not just for personal use. Many of us have careers that depend on us being able to be reached at any time on any day no matter where we are.
In this provocative, fast paced, funny and shocking documentary, Are We Digital Dummies?examines the risks associated with using our tech gear behind the wheel of the car, at home, as well as at the office where cell phone use in meetings have re-written the rules of etiquette. We discover that there is growing concern that our technology use has turned us into a distracted nation. That the emphasis is shifting from deep thinking to getting superficial knowledge fast and that despite what we think, we're not very good at multi-tasking with all those devices. Our brains simply can't keep up with all the modern demands for our attention.
But some people can't turn off their technology. They need to immediately read that next text, take that call or check their Facebook. Experts interviewed at an internet addiction centre in Washington State say that between six to ten per cent of the population that's online meets criteria for internet addiction.
Are We Digital Dummies? takes measure of how technology devices are affecting our personal lives both for the good and the bad, and leaves us with an important question: Can we manage the technology around us or will we let it manage us?
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
In the text “Critical Thinking and The Techno-Brain,” Dr. Hiner describes how “we reside in a technological cave so pervasive, so distracting, and so enticing that its very presence in our lives often goes unnoticed” (214). This quotation drew my attention to the role that technology plays in our lives. Our world revolves around the use of technology and connecting to others by digital means. We are constantly glued to our phones and surrounded by images, social media applications, and family and friends who stay connected through the internet. The text made me contemplate the amount of time we spend on electronic devices and how we have become immersed in a digital world.…
- 241 Words
- 1 Page
Good Essays -
Our planet is ruled by technology. For many people texting is as natural as breathing and children know how to use a computer properly by the age of ten. Letters are only written at Christmas and even then many people prefer an e-letter. Technology has changed our lives entirely. It often can have a bad influence. Kids don’t spend as much time outside anymore because they prefer playing videogames. Social contacts are often made through the internet rather than in person. But this can also be a benefit. Last year one out of eight married couples in the U.S. met on the internet. The internet has brought us boundless possibilities. We can communicate with friends that are miles away, without having to wait months for a letter to arrive. We can…
- 759 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
With technology on the rise, everything can be done in one click from the palms of our hands. Can you believe that we can make new friends by the click of a button? In the article, ‘Are you over-connected’, Tom Chatfield states that the ability of our phones to connect with people over long distances has caused a tremendous effect on our daily lives. We ignore the environment around us, not observing its unique properties and the danger it can bring, simply because the constant use of our phone tends to be more entertaining. Our heads are consistently at the same angle no matter where we are, at the bus station, supermarket or even in our workplace, being connected to our phones in order to gain access to our friends, family and many other entertaining resources. I strongly agree, and stand “shoulder-to-shoulder” with Mr Chatfield in his argument as he illustrates and points out that the overuse of technology will throw our lives down the…
- 771 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
In today’s age, technology has become a central aspect of many people’s lives. This new tech has brought with it many benefits that people did not have years ago and has helped bring the world together. With the benefit of cellphones, for example, someone can use them to stay in touch with friends and family while they are away and don’t have access to a phone. This connectivity has become an essential part in today’s society since people can now work anywhere that they want. However, this technology also has downfalls that negatively affect the same person’s life. The distractions that technology brings can be seen clearly with someone’s work performance since they will likely do poorly on a project. The way that technology affects someone’s life varies within the different part of their life. With the multitude of benefits that…
- 1211 Words
- 5 Pages
Better Essays -
According to Lauren Shinozuka, in her essay, “The Dangers of Digital Distractedness,” we are a digital generation. She asserts we are celebrated for our aptitude in effortless interactions with society through technology. However, the author questions the effect that this mass use of digital media has on societal and personal interactions and suggests we are alienating ourselves from those around us. She offers the point that we have developed an obsession with high-tech communication and are afflicted by fruitlessly attempting to do too many things at once, as well as automating our interpersonal interactions, disconnecting from genuine contact, and promoting a falsified version of…
- 411 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Anyone living today knows the effects technology has had on society today, not to mention how it’s changed our generation entirely. Our generation can hardly remember a time when technology didn’t exist. It’s become a part of our lifestyle, and isn’t going anywhere soon. “The evolution of technology has reached a point where pretty much anything is available at the touch of a button. Shopping, learning, working and entertainment can all be accessed from the comfort of our own homes, on a train or sat in a cafe,” (The Guardian).…
- 778 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
We live in the twentieth century and the ever-evolving technology available to us is playing a large role in how we communicate with others, more than any other generation in history. We now have the ability to call someone instantly and it doesn’t matter if they are 10 feet away or 10,000 feet away. There are many advantages to having a cell phone. For example, if you get into a car accident you can call 911 immediately and get help. And with the recent invention of smartphones we can hold all of the world’s knowledge in the palm of our hand. With internet so accessible, you can Google things instantly and find answers to an infinite amount of questions. The Internet also makes applications like social media and e-mail possible, and we…
- 1314 Words
- 6 Pages
Good Essays -
Results showed that “Most Americans, no matter what their age, spend at least eight and a half hours a day looking at a television, a computer monitor, or the screen of their mobile phone (cite)”. If the statistics were this high in 2006, image how this number has grown in recent years. Americans have come to rely more and more on technology to solve their problems — from which shoes Target has on sale this week, to the Pintrest-perfect wedding dress, to which candidate to vote for in the next election. It can become easy to create a utopian world of ease, but the question soon becomes, what would we do without the internet? And maybe more importantly, what is the prolonged internet use doing to…
- 1252 Words
- 6 Pages
Good Essays -
Ever since the advent of the modern digital culture, there have been some heated discussions on the topic of whether technology is a foe or a friend. Some people argue that it is influencing us negatively, scattering our attention and diffusing our concentration, while others believe otherwise, suggesting that it is making our lives more efficient and convenient. The emergence of such technology not only enhances some of our fundamental cognitive abilities, but also enables us to explore more of what is we are truly interested in.…
- 664 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Once a luxury for the wealthy and powerful, cell phones have now become an absolute necessity for the masses. In 1990 there were an estimated 5 million cell phone subscribers in the United States, by 1997 the number had reached 70 million (riverdeep). As of July 2002, 46% of Americans owned a cell phone (forbes). How has this fantastic new technology affected the everyday American? As the numbers sky-rocket, Americans are becoming less and less concerned with the social world in front of them, and more concerned with the person on the other end of the phone.…
- 602 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
The entire purpose of this paper is to find out the answer to the question: How does technology affect our daily lives?” Many different sources said many different things, however they somehow all connected at one point or another. “Body and Soul: Beware of Digital Gluttony,” by Kate Wicker, suggests that technology is now apart of us and our lives and there isn't much we can do to change it. “Technology is a real part of our lives, we are living in an “ICulture” whether we like it or not.” (Wicker. Pg.21) She has made it clear that she believes that whether we see technology in a positive or negative way, it’s here to stay. However, Williesha Morris, author of “Technology Addiction: Breaking the Chain,” says something a little different. “If you're an executive over the age of 30-35, you remember a time when such devices didn’t exist. They weren’t needed then, so why are they so crucial now?” (Morris.Pg.17) Morris seems to believe that we don't need them today, or she's at least questioning why society relies on technology as much as it does.…
- 1506 Words
- 7 Pages
Good Essays -
The digital divide is beginning to close. The flow of digital information – through mobile phones, text messaging, and the Internet – is now reaching the world’s masses, even in the poorest countries, bringing with it a revolution in economics, politics, and society. In my opinion, the technological innovation that has had the greatest impact on our lives in this country today would be the mobile telecommunication technology. For the last ten to fifteen years, mobile phones have changed our lives in such a way that no other technological change has before. Earlier, people used to book telephone calls in advance, had to go and use near the telephone booths, or sit beside a physical telephone instrument kept in the drawing room of a house, and attend to, or make calls stuck to a place. Now, people simply carry a 200 gram device in their pockets and can travel the world, always connected to their loved ones and business partners, no matter in whatever remote part of the world they are. (However, in certain countries, mobile coverage…
- 519 Words
- 3 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
In her essay, “Disconnected”, Lynda Smith argues that today’s technological forward movements are taking over our basic human interactions. She explains that we are being brainwashed into believing that cell phone, computers and other technological gadgets help us to stay connected smoothly and instantaneously. However, the reality is by using these gadgets we are not experiencing face to face communications; instead we are increasing the distance between us.…
- 313 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Can you even remember the last time you did anything without a single interruption from a cell phone? When was the last time you had to go out and buy stamps to send a letter or pay a bill? In today’s world technology based media such as Facebook, Twitter and instagram has consumed the majority of our days. Technology has overwhelmed our lives so much it leaves it impossible to notice our surroundings. Besides the fact that the use of technology has taken up most of our attention, our daily lives are so over-scheduled that we have no time to appreciate the beauty of the world around us. We have become a generation of time crunched scheduled drones wishing the day was a little longer. We are not living our lives for the present but instead concentrating on what we need to do for the future, frequently asking ourselves “what do I have to do next?” Technology has taken the public aspect out of everyday life and made it digital. Conversations are being had over text message and not in a park over coffee. Technology has drastically changed our social lives making it harder to associate with other people.…
- 775 Words
- 4 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Of course, it is beneficial for technology to make communications efficient and easy. However, inevitably some problems follow after those benefits. With such advanced technology, people tend to spend more time staying at home and sitting in front of computer screen rather than going out to visit friends. As a result, fewer 'true' talks and visits render the relationship fake and full of uncertainties, existing potential cheats and crimes, which will be detrimental to the social safety and security. For…
- 776 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays