Better used to mean "improved,"now it seems to mean,
"self-serving regardless of the consequences."I think there will always be WAR, violence and genocide until it ends us. But with all this "improvement" our waste is literally TRASHING the planet. As if we have another planet that could sustain our lifestyles. Contrary to popular belief, I am no better than this, I am no better than you.
The fact that I am typing this on a Mac, may make you think so but then again what is your definition of better?
In the article by Robert Samuels, "Breaking Down Borders..." I found his idea that,
I am partial to the positive convenience of technology. I feel that society is moving so fast, that even a week seems like an eternity(just imagine a week without your most beloved piece of technology). Everything in person seems replaceable by content online.
I love having access to endless libraries of art, music, and writing by people who are in history books or just next door, directly at my fingertips. Call me a "hipster" or a "purist" but I don't watch T.V., I don't listen to the radio, I stick solely to the internet and I buy into convenience. Fortunately I still have a few redeeming qualities left, the main one being that I am human. I'm sure you think I live behind this screen however, I love live music, breathing the not-so-fresh Phoenix AIR, and saying "hi" to random strangers. I wouldn't trade the human experience for the virtual experience. Even if it is less "awkward" for some. Here's the video.
"there are new rules for how to act in public places and how to socialize with and around one another"was completely relatable to my own experiences. He attributes it directly to technology,
"none of these changes would have happened without new technologies to break down borders."
This statement led me to question what borders we are PUTTING UP in place of these technological ones. The idea of making basic eye contact with a passing person has
been OBLITERATED. I feel society has developed a social border against anyone face-to-face, it seems everyone in person is on a need-to-know basis. Is this better?
I am partial to the positive convenience of technology. I feel that society is moving so fast, that even a week seems like an eternity(just imagine a week without your most beloved piece of technology). Everything in person seems replaceable by content online. I love having access to endless libraries of art, music, and writing by people who are in history books or just next door, directly at my fingertips. Call me a "hipster" or a "purist" but I don't watch T.V., I don't listen to the radio, I stick solely to the internet and I buy into convenience. Fortunately I still have a few redeeming qualities left, the main one being that I am human. I'm sure you think I live behind this screen however, I love live music, breathing the not-so-fresh Phoenix AIR, and saying "hi" to random strangers. I wouldn't trade the human experience for the virtual experience. Even if it is less "awkward" for some. Here's the video.
Hello there! :-)
ReplyDeleteThough I can't blame you for saying that technology runs our lives, I can't say it really does. I mean, though we utilize different technologies in our everyday lives, they are just that--things we use. Yeah, the ways of life of humans have drastically changed over time as technology improved. We could attribute that to the conveniences--a word which I'm using very broadly--allowed by different technologies. But I think we are still, more or less, the same people capable of the same things (or at least capable of learning how to do some things assuming that a way to still exists). We just choose to live like we do now, just like how the Amish and such choose to go without a lot of modern technology. The matter of "choice" is what I'm getting at. :-)
About better now meaning what you said, I believe it has been that way for many ages, possibly ever since the dawn of man or even back further--depending on what you believe in. If you check out literature and other forms of history and art that were made way before our generation, you probably would encounter greed--or selfishness or self-centeredness--portrayed in different ways. Also, though I don't think you mentioned anything contrary to what I'm about to say, I just want to point it out. Technology can also cause us to be less wasteful/more efficient as well. Non-destructive forms of energy gathering is one thing that shows this. There are a lot more than that. :-)
I found it insightful, how (I think) you said that technology makes time seem to move so fast that when you don't have access to specific technologies, time seems to slow down (excruciatingly). :-) I'm thinking though that it might be more about breaking from your routine and thus experiencing something new or at least different, since (I assume) that the usage of these technologies is part of your daily life. I mean, for me at least, when I walk through a new path somewhere, it feels long (depending on how long the path is), but if I happen to walk that same path enough times on a regular basis, time sort of flies by if you know what I mean. :-)
It's nice to hear that you still cling to the old, more friendly ways. Personally, knowing that there are people out there who still seem "human" is relieving, and having a friendly environment is a plus for me. :-D
Anyway, just sharing my thoughts. I didn't mean to come off as offensive just in case I seemed that way. :-)
Mick, I think that even though we are capable of "choosing" it is nearly impossible to be a fully functioning (work, school, social, etc.) person without using our devices. I do like the "green" aspect of today's technology, I think that soon we will each have just one device, computer or phone, for everything, that will remain the same physically and be updated software-wise often.
DeleteThank you for your friendly post, not the least bit offensive.
I actually completely agree with you. We are letting technology rule our lives. The only problem is that many people say this yet no one does anything about it. Instead of using the technology we have to better our society, everyone is looking for the new big thing. Who knows maybe one day our society will change its views.
ReplyDeleteNallely, I think that although so many of us want change to happen in the relationship humans have with technology. The issue is that most people, including myself are easily convinced that for practicality, technology must be at the forefront of tools we use. Bigger and better things (just look at Mac products) are presented everyday, and like small children or feral pigeons, we go for the shiny object. I think in order for society to change, our way of life would also have to change.
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