I am a large fan of Terminator films, and am currently enjoying Battlestar Galactica. Both of these delightful media venues paint a world in which machines take over the world, and humans fight them. They are both wonderful venues of entertainment, and I am not necessarily concerned about that scenario when I think about this topic.
Personally, I suppose that I’m very technologically behind the times. After all, I’m a social worker. I work with people, not machines. I recently purchase my first computer – the unit on which I type this blog, a yellow laptop named Lemon Drop. I do not own a cell phone.
I see technology as both a blessing and a curse. Of course, there are a number of wonderful things that are now possible thanks to the advances in technology. I have reconnected with people I never thought I’d talk to again. It is so much easier for me to take those trips I love so much. All of those things are true.
However, I wonder if technology doesn’t further isolate one from another while still connecting them. The act of completing a handwritten letter is wonderful as it provides an odd connection with the recipient and the writer. It also slows down the thoughts and motivations of the writer. To present this second example, I would like to pose this question: Am I the only one who cannot STAND it when I’m out with people, spending time with them, and they begin a conversation on their cell phones? I understand if it’s an emergency, but please! We’re spending time together!
In general, I think that isolation like that is not good for an individual or a community at large, and it’s important to be careful and aware.
Is technology really such a good thing?
By sahara - Posted on November 22nd, 2008
Most amongst have become dependent upon technology, nowadays to take away the self phone and internet access of a teen, is like pushing them straight into a life threatening drama, they actually go ballistic, lol.
http://www.wowzone.com/monkey.htm
But I don't blame the technology. I blame rude people who do not have any manners.
Technology may have somewhat degraded the quality of communication. We have a whole abbreviated language that gets used for "texting". It pretty much takes thoughts to the lowest common denominator because without rich words it is hard to express rich thoughts. But, technology has vastly increased the quantity of communication. For example when I was in college in the 70's I perhaps spoke to my parents on the telephone once every couple of weeks and often less There was one telephone in my entire dorm. Now that my daughter is in college I speak to her on her cell phone (which I pay for) at least weekly. And I chat with here on AIM almost every single night (while she simultaneously chats with about 20 other people). I would say from the perspective of communication that technology has been about 99% positive.
I have a book of published letters that were written back and forth over a period of several years between one of my Great Aunts and her Father who was my Great Grandfather. He was away in Washington as a Senator from Wyoming between 1915 and 1933 so they were separated for much of her young life. The letters are marvelous. The style and choice of words is rich and the quality of thought that went into them is remarkable as they discuss family, business, government and the events of the day. I agree that there was really something beautiful about a written letter but for most people in more recent times, it was all but a dead form of commuication. Most people simply did not or very seldom wrote letters.
I give the Internet credit for reviving the written word as a form of personal communication. The quality may not be as good but even a quick text has more value then a letter that is never composed, written and posted.
It is possible to be an internet hermit though and that probably is not good. All things in moderation I suppose. I'm addicted to blogging but I have a family and social life too. Blogging is great because I reach so many people. I think I am really making a difference because I am exposing my readers to ideas that it is pretty clear that a lot of them are not getting at home or school. In return, some of them have influenced my thinking too.
Since you like robots, here is a blog I wrote several months ago:
Welcome to the Brave New World of Robots.
Give it a read.
It's almost like Emily Post needs to write a new manners book for the technological era! :)
That's a good thought - the the i-net revived the written word. But the physical motions of writing a letter are, I think, kind of healing, in a way that typing is not. Furthermore, like you said, a balance is important. There are some people who look frightened when they spet out from behind a monitor!
"Goodness is the only investment that never fails."
H.D.Thoreau http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/sahara
I agree that people seem more disconnected with personal contact, writing a letter, writing in cards, engaging another person in a face to face conversation or visiting with friends and family because technology in some lives have taken over.
You are right. Technology has created some great advantages, but has also created isolation and an inability. I know people that have withdrawals without their cell phone, instant messaging and new forms of technology.
I think we just need some healthy balance.
Good blog.
I do not believe it should be technology's fault that we have a lack of communication skills.
it is the our fault obviously.
parent do not teach their children proper ways to conduct in situations.
many people do not hold doors open for others or say please as much anymore.
it is a culture transformation that is not solely based on technology. but probably deal with the rush of technology