In the past thirty years, humanity has moved into a digital era where billions of people are connected via an ever advancing technology boom. Yousef starts his days by waking up to the sound of the alarm, and listening to the radio while driving his car to work. Then he works on the computer to do some tasks; after that he contacts some people by calling and texting them via Smartphone. In his leisure time, he just passes his fingertip over a screen and sinks into some application to update himself with the latest news headline continuing to use his fingertips to rummage through social media apps- following people, posting a photo, comment, updating his status, et cetera. But who is Yousef? Does he seem familiar to you? Yousef is not an entirely imaginary character; in fact, he reflects the large majority of the world population in this technology filled era.
According to Valentine on the Linkedin website , the average twenty one year old human has spent 5,000 hours playing video games, sent 250,000 emails, instant messages, and text messages, and has spent 10,000 hours on a mobile phone alone. There are benefits from technology, but there are great damages as well, and I believe that we are seeing some of these today. Some may argue that technology has benefited us and improved our lives; however, did the advancement of technology really benefit our mind or paralyze it turning our brains into highly dependent slaves to the machine?
Product Penetration of Technology
One of the important distinction to make in this argument regarding the transformation of the human being into a slave for technology rises in the incredibly advances that have occurred at an amazingly quick pace. When looking at consumer research, there is much talk about product penetration, which occurs in society when a technology hits 50 million users (Rosen, YouTube, 2014). The pace of technological change is dizzying in the case of the World Wide Web, the Smartphones, and the various Apps available online. Research psychologist Larry Rosen, at Wisdom, stated that when looking back at previous technologies the product penetration rate occurred at slower paces, such as the radio, which took 38 years, the telephone 20 years, television 13 years, cell phone 12 years, the World Wide Web took only 4 years, iPods and blogs 3 years, MySpace (social networking site) 2.5 years, Facebook 2 years, YouTube 1 year, and Angry Birds taking just 35 days! (Rosen, YouTube 1:35)
Signs of Trouble
The word technology was first used by Jacob Bigelow in 1829 to discuss the “application of sciences to be as useful as the arts,” but how useful could the science be? Can it be detrimentally useful making humans completely dependent on it? Some may say, “Without The internet I would not know what I want to do with my life!” (Smith, 2015). According to the DMR Digital Statics website 51% of U.S. female and 41% of male, smartphone owners could not imagine life without their Smartphone (Smith, 2015). This is how bad technology is affecting our lives. Using the internet is becoming somewhat like a drug addiction, where one’s ability to limit their use has become rather difficult. With the constant need to check one’s smartphone, it appears that a large majority of individuals are using this technology beyond just for its productivity, but also for nearly everything including leisure. Technology has positioned itself in people’s lives as a stimulant for the brain that sucks the user into an addictive pattern of behavior. Human being naturally tend to be creatures inclined to problem solve, yet these days the likelihood that most just turn to “Google” a question or inquiry, removing the need to resolve any problems or questions that would normally require a higher degree of problem solving skills.
At this rate of growth, it is possible to enable the unthinkable advances of Artificial Intelligence at a pace that makes them smarter than us and potentially taking over us. Although this is a frightening concept to many and an unrealistic idea, this can provide a sense of awareness of potential drawbacks from what technology may produce. To further convince the reader of the way humanity has become a slave to technology the following section briefly explores the physiological and psychological changes that have been noted by researchers.
Physiological and Psychological Changes
If the reader is not convinced of the way human beings have become slaves to technology then consider the physiological changes in the brain structure of the human brain that is occurring. For example, according to Keegan (2012), “The Net delivers precisely the kind of sensory and cognitive stimuli – repetitive, intensive, interactive, addictive that have been show to result in strong and rapid alterations in brain circuits and functions” (Carr, 2010b, p. 116; Keegan, 2012, p.334). MRI scans have even shown that digital technologies are capable of re-wiring the brain unlike any type of technology seen before (Keegan, 2012, p.334). In addition to these changes there are numerous sources that are discovering ongoing changes to the human brain as a result of the use of current technological trends.
In an entirely different study involving Chinese students, their Problematic Internet Use (PIU) was used to analyze their psychosomatic symptoms, along with the overall satisfaction they felt in their lives (Cao, Hui, et al., 2011, p.1-8). This study saw lots of negative symptoms that arose as a result of excessive internet usage also known as, PIU, that took away from the quality of their lives. The physiological aspect of the body aches and pains, along with a sedentary lifestyle were noted occurring at higher levels than would be normal for this age group (Cao, Hui, et al., 2011, p.5). Instead of finding a balance of activities normal to the average teenager, the Chinese student spend a large majority of their time and energy online, which is hindering their psychological and physical growth.
Although the essay only touches on a couple brief studies regarding the alterations in the human physiological and psychological changes that are occurring as a result of technology, there is clearly ample evidence for concern as well as confirmation for how we are living in an era of being slaves to technology. In the next segment there will be some discussion of conflicting views on the role of technology on anger and aggression in the adolescent individuals that may be used as an argument against my position on my theory of this era of technology creating a slave-like mind set for humanity.
Conflicting Views
Despite the findings from this study, I would still argue that too much evidence of damage is seen in regard to the excessive dependence that most people have grown to have on these technological gadgets that have transformed the way people live. For example, issues with addiction use to primarily occur in situations of substance abuse, but due to the internet online gaming and pornography addiction has become rampant for many addicts.
The New Addicts
Many reasons exist for why humans are now slaves to technology, but the following section regarding addiction only confirms that this use of technology is misused and abused by many, just as many other addictive behaviors common to psychology. As a matter of fact a diagnosis of Internet Gaming Disorders (IGD) was incorporated into Section 3- Condition for Further Study of the DSM-5 (Love et al., 2015, p.389). Confirmation of Internet addiction by the American Psychological Association (APA) as a behavioral disorder is not something to be taken lightly.
The brain’s reward system is stimulated by the activities associated with the online experience that is similar to what occurs when the brain is rewarded by the use of a particular substance, which is responsible for creating the addictive trait in the user. According to Love et al. (2015), surfing the web trigger the reward system and “so do stimuli that violate expectations (positive or negative), which is often found in today’s videogames and internet pornography” (p. 390).
The way that addiction works is that the over excitability of the brain over a substance or set of stimuli creates an environment for wanting more, which is commonly seen in almost all individuals these days. For example, access to online gambling makes it quite risky for more people to become hooked versus what was possible when gambling could only be available in certain restricted locations. Now, if an individual wishes to gamble it can be at the touch of a computer or smartphone tap that he or she can get their “fix.”
Another new addiction that is destroying relationships is internet pornography, which has become all too easy to find online. Sexual addiction used-to exist where one may become addicted to sex with partners that required more effort than it does today. In the current era, one could easily find any disturbing set of scenarios to fill their needs online without the trouble of looking for the willing partner or any other hassles making this troublesome behavior harder to fulfill.
One could say that morals are even destroyed as a result of the easy access to unethical behaviors that so many people are becoming addicted to. These addictions are a problem for a functional society and prove to show the reader how vulnerable the human is in regard to his or her use of the internet and all the dangers that lurk online.
Conclusion
The signs are abundant for anyone willing to see the troubles facing humanity in this era of technology that has rendered the human race slaves to the phenomenon. The evidence is clear in so many areas that are discussed in the essay from the social effects in the daily lives of users to the physiological and psychological effects. To argue against the dangers of the internet and the ongoing technologies that are arriving on the public forum regularly is silly. Surely, there are many great reasons and uses that advance and benefit the human race, but one must still heed the warning signs of the drawbacks that are occurring as well.
No one is suggesting that the internet should be banned or an end to these awesome technologies to become null and void. Instead, it is crucial that the evidence encourage users to find balance in their need for technology. Rather than becoming its slave, one must re-establish their relationship and use of the internet and all the possibilities that arise as a result. As anything else in life, one must use this information to enhance his or her relationship with technology to empower themselves instead of placing oneself into a potentially damaging situation that could be avoided. In conclusion, there is ample evidence to confirm my position and to heed the warning. If you wish to be a truly free individual, then minding one’s relationship with technology is a necessity in this era of slave technology.
Bibliography
Cao, Hui, et al. "Problematic Internet use in Chinese Adolescents and its Relation to
Psychosomatic Symptoms and Life Satisfaction." BMC Public Health 11 (2011): 802. ProQuest. Web. 3 Jan. 2016.
The article, “Problematic Internet use in Chinese Adolescents and its Relation to Psychosomatic Symptoms and Life Satisfaction” looks into the relationship of the excessive internet use on the Chinese adolescent population. What they find shows that there is a positive correlation of PIU on psychosomatic symptoms but the impact of life satisfaction shows negative results. Therefore, there appears to be concern regarding the troubles associated with the over-usage of the internet and technology on the quality of life for those individuals that participated in the study.
Keegan, Sheila. "Digital Technologies are Re-Shaping our Brains." Qualitative
Market Research 15.3 (2012): 328-46. ProQuest. Web. 3 Jan. 2016.
Sheila Keegan’s study reports findings of the changes that are occurring in the brains of the people as they become a slave to technology and the internet. The article continues to deliver information and insight into the way that this affects humans and their overall neurological abilities in life. In addition to the report on the changes, some consideration of what could be done moving forward in the future is also discussed in the report by Keegan.
Love, Todd, et al. "Neuroscience of Internet Pornography Addiction: A Review and
Update." Behavioral Sciences 5.3 (2015): 388-433. ProQuest. Web. 3 Jan. 2016.
In the article delivered by Todd Love and colleagues, the look inside internet addiction via online gaming and porn are examined as additional problems arising among people since the advent of this type of technology. What is evident in the study is that the changes in the brain of addicted individuals are now presented in yet another area of life that is presented by the world of internet porn and gaming. The implication on what this does to society is concerning to the researchers giving further evidence for the power technology has over the lives of human beings.
Rosen, Larry. "Technology and the Brain, the Latest Research and Findings: Larry
Rosen - Tominis.info." Technology and the Brain, the Latest Research and Findings: Larry Rosen - Tominis.info. Wisdom 2.0, 2014. Web. 4 Jan. 2016. 4
In the video lecture by Larry Rosen he discusses the implications that are had on the human life as a result of this incredibly fast paced growth in technology that is deeply changing the lives of the population of the planet. One of the important factors he points out is the penetration rate of technology on society, which has grown at a shockingly fast pace, resulting in a minimum of 50 million users who become reliant on the internet in just four years. Rosen continues the discussion with highlighting that humans are a part of an experiment with the advent of this technology.
Smith, Craig. "By the Numbers: 36 Amazing Smartphone Statistics." DMR. 4 Dec.
2015. Web. 4 Jan. 2016.
The short informative article by Craig Smith shares interesting information regarding the statics surrounding the way life has changed for the human race since the advent of the smartphone. Considering the smartphone is a fairly new invention, for example, the launch of the iPhone was only something that has existed since 2007 it is astounding to read the facts that are reported in the article by Smith.
Yagci, Emete, and Mehmet Çaglar. "How the use of Computer Types and
Frequency Affects Adolescences Towards Anger and Aggression." TOJET : The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology 9.1 (2010)ProQuest. Web. 3 Jan. 2016.
In the research study article by Emete Yagci and Mehmet Caglar the incidence of anger and aggression among computer gamers during the ages of 9-11 were observed. The findings show that no proof of alterations in the anger and aggression among users and non-users of computer games was found as a counter argument against the topic of the negative effects of technology on the human life.
Zelikman, Diana. "Some Cool Tech Facts from Diana Zelikman, at Fueled,." Linked
in. 25 June 2014. Web. 4 Jan. 2016.
Diana Zelikman at Fueled, affiliated with Valentine Wats write about some fascinating facts regarding the changes that have been brought about since the creation of the internet. The list of dramatically surprising changes really puts into perspective the way that the internet and technology have become integral to the lives of the large majority of the population of the planet.
Works Cited
Cao, Hui, et al. "Problematic Internet use in Chinese Adolescents and its Relation to
Psychosomatic Symptoms and Life Satisfaction." BMC Public Health 11 (2011): 802. ProQuest. Web. 3 Jan. 2016.
Keegan, Sheila. "Digital Technologies are Re-Shaping our Brains." Qualitative
Market Research 15.3 (2012): 328-46. ProQuest. Web. 3 Jan. 2016.
Love, Todd, et al. "Neuroscience of Internet Pornography Addiction: A Review and
Update." Behavioral Sciences 5.3 (2015): 388-433. ProQuest. Web. 3 Jan. 2016.
Rosen, Larry. "Technology and the Brain, the Latest Research and Findings: Larry
Rosen - Tominis.info." Technology and the Brain, the Latest Research and Findings: Larry Rosen - Tominis.info. Wisdom 2.0, 2014. Web. 4 Jan. 2016. 4
Smith, Craig. "By the Numbers: 36 Amazing Smartphone Statistics." DMR. 4 Dec.
2015. Web. 4 Jan. 2016.
Yagci, Emete, and Mehmet Çaglar. "How the use of Computer Types and
Frequency Affects Adolescences Towards Anger and Aggression." TOJET : The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology 9.1 (2010)ProQuest. Web. 3 Jan. 2016.
Zelikman, Diana. "Some Cool Tech Facts from Diana Zelikman, at Fueled,." Linked
in. 25 June 2014. Web. 4 Jan. 2016.
