The first concert I ever went to was a Justin Bieber concert last Summer as a gift for my 17th birthday (don't judge me guys, most of us were obsessed at one point or another.) Anyways, I was so excited when I got there. Every one was taking pictures with friends, of the set up of the stage, anything that gave them the idea of "Hey, maybe this would look good on my instagram." The sad part? I was included. Most of that concert, I was on my phone. Sending snapchats, texts, posting things online, taking videos and pictures to save. I would say about 60% of this concert I watched through a phone screen... While I was there. I had a great time, don't get me wrong. But every time I hear a song that had played at the concert, I picture watching that exactly moment in my head, and those moments I usually watched were projected through my phone screen.
We can sit here and write these blog posts about how disgusting it is how we're obsessed with social media and texting and our phones in general but in reality, most of us ARE those people who contribute to this obsession. We are attached to our phones and we care about how we appear on social media. Not all of us of course, but if you find yourself thinking about this and how much it may pertain to you, you most likely do it too. And realize that sometimes. IT'S OKAY. We are kind of conditioned to think that way if you think about it. That's just part of what our generation is about. As sad as that is, it's not always a bad thing!
Technology has helped us in many ways. There are times where we may be out of touch with the natural world, but we now have easier and faster ways of communicating with each other. We have faster ways of traveling with trains, planes, cars, boats, etc. I DO feel like technology pulls us away and distracts us from the natural world, but it can also connect us in various ways. We can now take pictures of beautiful sunsets, or videos of a babies first words. We can go back and now look at memories. We can construct buildings faster and easier than ever. Technology shouldn't always be considered evil or bad. We get a lot out of it.
I'm not that big on technology, but I was raised in the technology age. I feel as though being around, and having access to, so much technology has separated me from nature, regardless of actually using it. I agree that technology isn't a bad thing. It has its faults, no doubt, but it's just different from the world before it. Technology isn't used simply because of its ease, or other benefits. A large part of the obsession is its popularity. People use it because other people use it. Imagine how hard highschool would be without access to a computer while everyone else did. If you had stopped using your phone during the concert, would any of your friends have stopped? How many people not using their phones would it take to get the majority to stop?
ReplyDeleteIt's funny because I usually think technology is evil and bad, but this post definitely helped me to acknowledge all the advantages it has. Technology has given me access to so many things, and it is important to appreciate that every once in a while. I think the problem is when we start letting it control our lives, and spend too much time using or thinking about technology. I am concerned for the generations who will grow up surrounded by technology, and won't get a chance to connect with connection in the same way we did as children.
ReplyDeleteI like that you talk about both the pros and cons of technology. Like Sarah said, we see technology as a bad thing when we're comparing it to nature, despite the fact that it's such an enormous part of our lives and that it can bring us so much joy. What effect do you think that technology has on us as people? I think it makes us ore self-centered and less connected to other people and nature, but I think that you're right in saying that it gives us different ways in which to connect to those things. Maybe the connection isn't fading, it's just changing.
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