First off, I have to acknowledge the hypocrisy of writing an article about the possible ill effects of technology on a laptop and then posting the article on social media. Besides, we’ve all heard the complaints about technology before; how smartphones have turned us into mindless zombies, or how video games have turned us into psychopaths. Normally, I’d suggest brushing these accusations off as baseless rants from rambling Luddites. But recently, I’ve personally begun to notice that there may be genuine causes for complaint.
Now let me be clear, I’m not condemning technology as a whole, it’s done wonders for humanity, and not even the sky is the limit for technological advancement. For example, my iPhone (don’t worry, this isn’t shameless advertising, I have plenty of problems with Apple) is much more than a phone. With a few pushes and clicks, I can watch a movie, play a game, find out who the 23rd president of the United States was (Benjamin Harrison, by the way), or even (and perhaps most importantly) order food. Apparently, the smartphones in our pockets are more powerful than the supercomputers of the last several decades, which took up entire rooms. Now the actual “shrinking” of technology itself can be contributed to the transistor, but I’m not even going there. I understand the inner workings of technology as much as I understand how Donald Trump will “Make America Great Again” (as in, I don’t).
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So if technology has done all these wonderful things, and is only advancing both further and faster, what is there to complain about? Well, perhaps the problem lies not with technology itself, but with how we use technology. I remember (as I’m sure many of my peers do) growing up without any smartphones, tablets, or similar devices. My friends and I would spend the time playing basketball in the driveway or hide and seek in the woods, and having water balloon fights in the front yard. Some of us had video games, or watched cartoons, but these things weren’t our primary sources of entertainment. Listen to me, getting lost in a sea of nostalgia like some crotchety old timer. Anyway, things have obviously changed. Why bother going outside when you can just play “Candy Crush” or “Clash of Clans” with your friends instead? To be fair, I can’t cast judgment on this thought process, as it was mine for most of my adolescence.
Perhaps it’s how much we’ve come to rely on technology to fill the gap of tedium in our lives that’s troubling. We’ve seemed to enter a new age of instant gratification. With a smartphone, you can find almost anything out in a matter of seconds. Texting is faster and much more convenient than talking on the phone, and sometimes, it’s easier as well. Social media allows you to share, post, criticize, or complement things you might be afraid to share, post, criticize, or complement in real life. But come on, it’s much more than a social safety net right? You can meet and communicate with people you wouldn’t have met or communicated with otherwise. You can keep up to date on your friends’ lives, and keep them updated on yours as well. Honestly, the first thing I do every morning is reach for my phone, check the news, then check social media. But is all this the same as actually interacting with people? Or is it another way for us to distance ourselves from people? I know when I’m standing in line or waiting for something, I’ll usually end up looking at my phone to avoid unnecessary and potentially awkward eye contact, or to just appear/keep busy.
So why do we do this? Why is it that whenever you walk down a street or ride a bus, a large portion of the population seems to bury their faces in their phones? Have we become afraid of actual social contact? I know I have, but that’s no excuse to indulge in distancing myself further. We are a social species after all; we crave affection and companionship, in whatever form we may prefer. That’s not to say there’s anything wrong with being alone, however. In fact, solitude can be refreshing. But perhaps that’s why we cling to our smartphones, apps and media. Maybe we’ve become afraid of being alone as well? With the rise of instant gratification, the very thought of a moment lacking in any sort of attention or interest might be terrifying. But whether you’re afraid of being with other people, being alone, or being disconnected, part of life and of being human is facing your fear.
So no, don’t throw your smartphone away, or delete all your social media accounts. If anything, just be mindful of the time and the reasons why you’re on your phone. And I don’t know, maybe give your parents or, if you’re fortunate enough, your grandparents a phone call? That seems like good start. Oh, and if you want to see someone talk about this and actually make sense and be funny at the same time, check out Louis C.K.’s rant on “Conan” (how does that guy still have a talk show?).
