Anyone can observe that today’s lifestyle is fast paced wherein trends changes constantly. Jacko p. 4 shared that “there is a high demand for advancement in technology and people appear to have a never ending desire to have more.” It appears as if contentment in advancement no longer exists in the vocabulary of some individuals. Yes, technology has integrated itself (too) deep into the lives of people. Despite its undeniable benefit towards society, the constant dependence on technology still has a price to pay. More than its monetary equivalent, the price of technology is the drastic shift in personal relationship with real people living in the real world.
If an individual walks across the streets, it is quite a common scene to see people seemingly caught up in their world. The ability to hear is blocked due to the blasting music plugged in the ears. It is ironic that technology aims to make communication easier but in reality it is turning people into hermits. Hermits who live in their bubble that refuses or ignores personal encounters with other individuals. Some people are even extreme that they lock themselves in their room and just face their computer monitors. There is a big change in what people view as fun and games. Before, the streets would be filled with children laughing and goofing around with each other, but now children are too preoccupied with their gadgets to even bother going out. Is this a dangerous sign? The obvious answer is yes. Human development requires social interactions in order for individuals to develop normally.
Society’s family dynamics is also gradually (and dangerously) heading towards a world of isolation. Families before would sit around in the dining table and discuss anything under sun. They would often open up problems and attempt to solve them as a family. However, the practice is changing. Cefferty added that “some families do not even bother checking up on one another because they are too destructed by their lives. The families are now turning into a sorry excuse for a companion because they could no longer maintain being pillars of support.”
Now, people consider pressing the send button as a proper interaction. They do not even bother trying to see the person physically. It is unfortunate, that social interactions are rapidly decreasing due to technology. Technology at some point replaced the true essence of physical human interactions. Undoubtedly, there are important aspects of the human life that technology can never replace. Aspects such as a good family, a loyal friend and companion are irreplaceable. It is sad that some people view technology as the only companion they need in their lives.
Technology truly changed the landscape of society that it even affected social interactions. It has offered both the world and its people endless possibilities and opportunities. However, to totally rely one’s life to technology is wrong and dangerous. The price of technology is people turning their backs on their primary nature as human beings. It is not right to put the blame on technology for the loss of human interaction. The New York Times (2014), for example, mentioned “we know already there are consequences,” highlighting the point that at the end of the day, individuals chose the lifestyle they have right now. In reality, the decision to abuse technology came from humans. Technology has no bring, it is still up to the people to determine how technology will be integrated in the course of their daily lives. The key to using technology in moderation, people should be able to draw the line when they need to use technology and when they can directly interact with people.
Reference:
Cefferty J . Technology replacing personal interactions at what cost?. CNN. 3 Jan 2011Jacko J. The Human-Computer Interaction Handbook. CRC Press. 4 May 2012
The New York Times. Attached to Technology and Paying a Price. Accessed at: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/07/technology/07brain.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 5 Oct 2014
