Has technology made our lives easier or has it made it more complicated than it should be? In countries such as the U.S., Canada, Japan, South Korea and in many developed and developing countries, it is now almost unthinkable to live without turning the computer on at least once a day, checking the phone for text messages or plugging to the Internet. With so much time spent turning on to a gadget, are we really relying too much on technology? Should we question our modern behavior and ask ourselves, are we too plugged in to technology? More importantly, are we better off being so?
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Are we too plugged in to technology? Tell us what you think in the comments.
Sign of the times?
The question of whether or not a new capability is good probably goes as far back as the time when the wheel was invented. Who knows what some of our ancestors thought when fire was first brought into the cave to stay? It is likely that there were as many dissenting voices (and grunts) as there were supporters to the cause. So complaining and being pessimistic about technology is really not a modern affliction. It does remain as a strong issue today.
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Wired to plug in?
Probably the real reason why we embrace technology is that we are open to change. The human brain is wired to adapt to events and circumstances. There may be obstacles to its learning initially particularly when it comes to new technology but it can overcome these barriers. This explains why no matter how strange new technology can be, it is only a matter of time before people begin using it.
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So how far have we gone?
According to studies by some scientists, the ability to focus on a specific task is compromised by stimulation caused by multiple sources of information. About 30% of Americans agree. In a poll by New York Times, younger users of technology believe it makes it more difficult for them to concentrate; about 10% of Americans say interacting with technology lessens their interaction with their kids and about 14% say it affects the amount of time they interact with their spouses.
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Can we trust technology?
There is no doubt about it – technology has made our lives easier – it has cut our working time in half, allowed us to find solutions to common problems in a few clicks of the mouse and gave us access to information we never dreamed we would ever have just a decade ago. However, there is such thing as too much of a good thing. Technology is not only addictive, it can also encourage us to fall into a complacent stupor, content with the seemingly perfect world that it presents.
Therein lies the problem, though.
The more we rely on computers and programs to do the job for us, the more we begin to lose our appreciation for our capability to do things ourselves. After all, why do all the backbreaking computations in mathematics if a program can do it for you? Technology has also allowed us to cross thousands of miles of land and sea to communicate but it has also prevented us from making personal connections. Overstimulation has also killed off much of our sense of wonder.
So are we really too plugged into technology or is it really worth it? We should remember that with advancement, there are always consequences – good or bad. Technology will always bring with it unwanted effects, some of which might even be difficult to anticipate. What we need to remember is that we have the choice to use technology for its positive aspects, that we can choose to take advantage of its capability to help us achieve bigger and better things. We made these machines and the programs that run them. It would be the height of irony indeed if, in the future, we become slaves to the things we created.
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Technology is one of the worst addictions that our generation has fallen into. Do you agree that technology is destroying our society and how we interact with each other? Do you think we are too dependent on technology? Share your thoughts in the comments.
I think the original purpose technology is to make our life easier: to solve problems and bring new ways of achieving results better and faster. However when used the wrong way, it can only lead to the destruction of humanity.
I am agree with Michael.
Every things has its Advantage and Disadvantage. If we able to use it in proper way than it would be the best things for us.
Strongly agree with Michael, technology makes our life easy but if we don’t use it properly then it can do great destruction.
By the way I feel that those things which makes our life easier, comes with so many dangers.
Thank you Atish! Glad you stopped by!
Thanks for the comment Amit!
It might depend on which generation or age group you ask. The younger generation and anyone born today here on out will only know a digital technical world. I am lucky enough to have grown up in a time before all this technology. I still had fun. There are some things I like about technology, and other things I despise. People really don’t need to buy a new gadget or gizmo so often. Every time there is a new (gadget) they think they need to run out and buy it, sometimes standing in line for hours. It’s like nobody is content or happy with what they have anymore. I don’t know it’s a crazy technical world, and it is just going to get crazier. I could really live without all the scams, hacks, and that kind of thing on the rise though.
Sounds like you and me are about the same age Ray 😉 I missed those days when we didn’t plug in that much. People used to run and walk the dog at the park. People used to kicking a ball or play their favorite sports at the field. But I don’t see that now or at least not as frequent as it used to be. Are people nowadays not interested in running or walking their dogs? Are people not keen in playing sports and be physically active anymore? Where are those people? Most people have a day job of 9-5 and claimed they don’t have the time to play sports and stay healthy but isn’t technology supposed to be shorten our working time? We now have modern computers and the latest gizmos in offices but it seems that people are working longer hours than they used to be despite the advancement in technology.
Oww! Interesting article Peter. I disagree in some respects, I believe that technology can make us more productive, and help improve our standard of living. When used right it can be a real boost, but I see what you are saying.
If you control your use of tech, fine, but if you become (as you put it) ‘too plugged in’ and addicted, then it can be a major problem.
When I read the subheading ‘Can we trust technology?’ you made me think of the film iRobot! Will technology ever rebel?
A good, thought provoking article 🙂
Thanks Peter
Christopher
Technology has indeed changed a lot of things. But despite the advancing technology, most people with a day job of 9-5 are working even longer hours. The standard of living? Well in terms of material wise yea it has improved a lot. But in terms of quality time spent with friends and families I’m not so sure about that anymore. Thanks for stopping by Christopher.
You are most welcome Peter, I would like to more often, but rarely find the time!
Sorry :-/
I feel technology was developed to save our time for doing various things and also make the work easy but now many of us is too much involved with this technology. Even I also can’t live without technology for a day.
Technology : Are We Too Plugged in to it? Arrgg… my close friends, relatives and other important people that are far far away have come closer, thanks to my webcam and fast pc and of course my favorite smartphone device I can talk to them anytime anywhere. Looks like I can’t live without it already. 🙂
I see a lot of youngsters gathering around in cafes. They were sitting together at the same table but they didn’t talk much to each other. Why? Because all of them were too busy with their gadgets. They’re either busy updating social media accounts on their smatphones or playing Angry Birds/any other games on their tablet PCs. For a while I thought they’re strangers to each other. It seems that they don’t know how to communicate verbally anymore. Bad consequences of technology here don’t you think so Nhick?
Hi Peter,
Ahhh, technology – what a wonderful thing!
This is a really interesting concept you present though.
I personally love it all – phones, iPads, laptops, computers, you name it.
But aside from my adoration of these little devices, technology presents such an incredible opportunity, if used correctly! Costs of conducting business can be vastly reduced – meeting conducted over the web, instant messengers for important information. It all just makes productivity more streamlined.
But, as you point out, the human interaction is reduced. I see this firsthand at my own home.
I guess the answer would be to be proactive and set limits, both for ourselves and our kids.
~Christine
Yea, technology can be a wonderful as well as an awful thing. I see my nephews and nieces don’t communicate much face to face. They are so addicted to technology. They like their online “friends” more than their real friends. They don’t even speak much to their parents. I guess you’re right, we should be more proactive and set limits. Thanks for stopping by Christine and hope to see you around 🙂
Even though our advancements in technology came paired with new ways to hurt us. Like the gunpowder and later atom bombs and then those ‘hydrogen bombs, which are apparently powerful enough that if 20 more of those will dropped anywhere in the world, the world would implode. That is a scary accomplishment.
I don’t know if we have been more happy than before most inventions were done. But it is our nature and there is no way back. So we might as well enjoy it… for the price we are paying.
It’s scary indeed that technology has also improved things like that. Maybe we shouldn’t be too advance in military technology… Just hoping though..
Without a doubt, technology has offered more comfort and convenience to mankind. On the other hand, it also has its several disadvantages. I think as an individual, it is our discretion and responsibility to make use of technology to positive things. It is just a sad fact that there are individuals who choose to use technology in negative ways. Anyway, such an interesting post, Peter. 🙂
Yea it’s a shame that some people use technology in the wrong way and causes damage to mankind and the environment 🙁
Nice to hear from you Bhing. Still busy with work?
What is life without technology… People will always abuse things no matter what they are, so there’s no point in blaming technology. Addiction and technology should not be used in the same sentence. Addiction destroys the person and brings pain to those around. Technology doesn’t do that.
Technology will keep evolving, we just have to keep up with it. How someone keeps up with technology is up to them