In today's world, as much as one does not want to admit it, there is no escaping technology. It is everywhere we turn. Technology reaches all nooks and crannies of our society. Our homes, cars, community buildings, transportation devices, and even our streets are riddled with technology. Also in our society, people of all ages and all generations not only are using but are embracing the ever growing world of technology. Technology is both good and bad in my opinion. It can make life easier, more comfortable and convenient; it can also make a person lazy, ungrateful, and even ignorant.
I try to limit some sources in technology
in my life, as I feel as though our society is somewhat losing touch with
reality. It is sometimes overwhelming to see everyone on the street or on
campus stuck in their cell phone. Or other times, you realize that everyone in
the room is busy on their phone instead of enjoying one another’s company. Our
interaction with one another is dwindling. I incorporate a myriad of different
technologies in my life habitually, no doubt, but I also try to be mindful of
how I spend my time. I use electricity, drive cars, use house hold appliances,
watch television, have a smart phone, and a plethora of other technologies just
like the rest of us. However, I try to respect my resources. I no longer sit on
the couch and watch television for hours, or mindlessly scroll through the news
feed on Facebook. I have realized those sort of technological advancements
offer me no enrichment whatsoever.
When interviewing my six year old daughter
it was very evident that technology to children today is mostly a source of entertainment
and fun. Her favorite piece of technology at this juncture in her life is an
iPad and she is waiting for the day when they come out with an iPad, LeapPad2,
and Nabi all in one “to make a super fun game!” My six year old believes that
we could do without home telephones because everyone uses a cell phone. She
most definatley embraces technology just about as much as I allow. She says
technology is “20% important in my life.” But sometimes videos on Youtube can
scare her.
My mother who was born in the early 1960’s
is also embracing technology. When she was my age, twenty-seven, her favorite
piece of technology was the pager, because it enabled people to get in touch
with one another when they were not by a telephone. This was very beneficial at
the time. She also is implementing technology by learning to use smartphones
and even creating a Facebook account to keep in touch with old friends. She also embraces it in other ways like I do,
such as using the oven, stove, vacuum cleaner, washer and dryer, and other
household appliances. She expressed that blue tooth and other wireless devices
really blow her mind. The fact that we no longer need wires all over the house
is amazing. I most definatley agree with that. She thinks our society could do
away with cameras and computers because smart phones pretty much do it all. It
was clear that with each generation technology was becoming more about convenience and luxury
and less about necessity. The further back in generations we delve, the greater
the appreciation for these little wonders that make life easier. But at the
same time, they realize that there are more important things in the world.
By the time I interviewed my grandmother,
who is in her upper 70’s, it was clear that technology has made
leaps and bounds. My Gram exclaimed to me that when she was twenty-seven, she desperately
wanted a car, but at that point in her life she could not afford one. Although,
as a constellation, she got a vacuum cleaner and a washer. The old ringer style
washer from Sears and Roebuck changed her life. She expressed how wonderful it
was to have a sweeper and washer in her home. It made life easier for a young
house wife and mother of four. She also stated that like the rest of us, she
was certainly embracing technology. This is definitely proof that technology
has reached everyone in our society, whether you are aware of it or not. She
encompasses it by just about every which way she said. Cell phone, using modern
appliances in her home, watching television, driving her car, and enjoying all
of it. She in no way resists today’s technology. An interesting reply she gave
was that she never thought she would be alive to see the day when the United States ventured
to the moon in the 1969. That was absolutely astonishing to her.
Today, technology
in her life is everything to her. It holds a very important role in her life
just like everyone else. At this point, Gram thinks we could do away with the
automatic hand dryers in public restrooms. Although more environmentally
friendly, I cannot disagree with her. She is waiting for the day that we come
up with a hand held device that will tell you where you parked in a parking lot
so she does not get lost. That along with more social security benefits.
It is remarkable to hear the different
answers based on the different ages. Evidently, technology, although important
to us all is used very differently from generation to generation. Hearing my
Grandmother’s enthusiasm towards our world of technology resounded with me. I, at
times, feel different. While I use technology just as much as the next person,
it frightens me at times. Perhaps my generation does not value it as much the
older generations, or perhaps I differ from my peers. There are differences of
opinions all around. One thing is for sure, our generation and the generations
to follow are misusing technology more and more. So that brings me back to
my initial point, our world of technology today is a help and a hindrance. It
is up to the masses to decide how they want to use it. We know it is definitely
not going anywhere, one almost has no choice but to embrace it. But it is up to
the individual to use it sparingly and for good, not evil.
No comments:
Post a Comment