Technology: Consuming Our Lives?
Technology: Consuming Our Lives?
Today, many of us use technology for just about everything in our daily lives. There is no longer a need to shop at a physical store or crack open a book. There is no need to turn on the television or radio for weather and news or even to watch television shows. There is no longer a need to dial a phone or send a letter to contact anyone. People are spending more time on a computer than ever before; some even believe it has become a case of addiction. So the question comes into play, Is new technology consuming our lives?
With the growth of new technology and the Internet, many people prefer to take their work home with them. This becomes a problem when separating the work life from the home life. Kelton Research found that 65% of U.S. consumers are spending more time with their computers than with their significant others (“8 in 10”). This statistic is far too high. Technology cannot, and should not, replace human interaction. What does this do to the face to face connection we have with our families; or in that matter, with people in general? Many people find themselves using the computer for a good portion of their day and admit that their computer use is as much a part of their daily routine as going to the bathroom or sleeping. I fear that as the years progress and technology follows its current exponential growth, this number will continue to rise, and personal interaction will be lost.
The existence of technology at your fingertips can also be dangerous, not just to your relationships, but to your health and well being. Due to increasingly easy access to the Internet, warnings are often heard to enforce the practice of internet safety. Because the internet is available to everyone, one can never truly know who might be on the other end. Children are often warned about online predators and scams. Cell phones come equipped with built-in social networking sites that encourage people of all ages to chat, share pictures, and
Today, many of us use technology for just about everything in our daily lives. There is no longer a need to shop at a physical store or crack open a book. There is no need to turn on the television or radio for weather and news or even to watch television shows. There is no longer a need to dial a phone or send a letter to contact anyone. People are spending more time on a computer than ever before; some even believe it has become a case of addiction. So the question comes into play, Is new technology consuming our lives?
With the growth of new technology and the Internet, many people prefer to take their work home with them. This becomes a problem when separating the work life from the home life. Kelton Research found that 65% of U.S. consumers are spending more time with their computers than with their significant others (“8 in 10”). This statistic is far too high. Technology cannot, and should not, replace human interaction. What does this do to the face to face connection we have with our families; or in that matter, with people in general? Many people find themselves using the computer for a good portion of their day and admit that their computer use is as much a part of their daily routine as going to the bathroom or sleeping. I fear that as the years progress and technology follows its current exponential growth, this number will continue to rise, and personal interaction will be lost.
The existence of technology at your fingertips can also be dangerous, not just to your relationships, but to your health and well being. Due to increasingly easy access to the Internet, warnings are often heard to enforce the practice of internet safety. Because the internet is available to everyone, one can never truly know who might be on the other end. Children are often warned about online predators and scams. Cell phones come equipped with built-in social networking sites that encourage people of all ages to chat, share pictures, and
Cited: Suler, J. “Computer and Cyberspace Addiction.” International Journal of Applied Psychoanalytic Studies, 1 (2004): 359-362. Web. 24 June 2010. “8 in 10 Americans More Dependent on Their Computer than 3 Years Ago” Lincoln Tribune. Lincoln Tribune Newspaper, 22 Jan. 2007. Web. 24 June 2010