Technology Gets Better over Time - Essay Example

Institute’s Technology Gets “Better” Over Time With the advancement and rapid increase of technologies that have helped men to overcome the different hurdles related with time and space such as the invention of airplanes, computers, cars, the internet including different other gadgets, one would think that such devices and tools would help the other people to develop an understanding of other cultures managing cross border relations, enhancing greater communication maintaining and strengthening family bonds and helping people to become more socially active. On the other hand, it has been observed that along with bringing the positivity and changing the social structure of relationships in an effective manner, the advancement of technology has also caused people to become isolated with increased depression and anxiety as well as it has distracted them in various manners. According to Langdon Winner (2001) in his essay “Whatever happened to the electronic cottage?,” he has described the illusionary concept drawn by Alvin Toffler in his book, “The Third Wave” (1980) that technology would help the people to become more closer; they would develop more social bonding among them which would give rise to greater community stability along with an increase in the establishment of voluntary organizations supporting different groups in a society. His vision of an ideal society established on the basis of advancement of technology suggests that there would be less stress and more leisure in the lives of people with an increased focus on the expansion of values and morality within the social structure. The vision drawn by Alvin Toffler came to reality but with bitter results. Undoubtedly, technology has helped people to become closer to each other and an increase in growing relationships through technology is evidently clear, however; this quantitative increase in relations through technology has adversely affected the quality of the relationships. It has dismantled the essence and the quality of to be social in true sense. Technology has deeply affected our social life, relations, structure and social skills with its advancement in different areas. Our society is found under a social revolution due to an increased inclined towards the use of technology as a tool to enhance greater communication. It is important to understand that how these technological interactions have influenced individuals and the groups in a society, at large. The emergence of social networking sites have become a major medium for communication for a large number of people all around the globe. The use of such social networking sites can have positive as well as the negative consequences on the lives of people which depend on how they are using it. In a society where people are geographically separated and one tries to keep in touch with his family and friends, technology has facilitated them in maintaining their relations even in the farthest corners of the world. For a person, it has become just a matter of time to re-connect with his long-lost companion through a social networking site. However, with the benefits and positive aspects related with the use of social networking sites we cannot ignore the negative consequences and risk associated with the use of social networking sites and increased virtual communications. Different people have different influences of such websites. This issue can be explained with an example of a man who displays all the events of his day on a play card and stands holding them on a public place. Due to this particular act of his display, he draws the attention and reaction of known and unknown people towards the internal affairs of his life; giving an opportunity to comment on his personal life and affairs. The vast extend of all kinds of comments and remarks on social media plays a negative role in the user’s life regardless whether the comments or remarks are true or not; their results are devastating in many peoples’ lives. According to Ilana Gershon (2012) has adversely affected the lives of many people as the major cause of dismantling their relationships which ultimately leads to breakups and divorces. On the other hand, some people have been fired from their jobs due to their addiction to such websites which not only destroys their professional standing but also, negatively influences their behavior. Breakups, divorces and loss of employment are some of the most serious and emerging problems that have appeared as a result from these social networking sites. On the other hand, these websites have greatly influenced the behavior and attitude of the people. They have become concerned on how to portray themselves as better if not the best, than others. Buffardi and Campbell (2008) associate this trait as “narcissism” which has made people to boost about their own personality and social status. Hence, it can be concluded that without emphasizing on the need to enhance the quality of relationships through social media websites, people have become more interested in impressing the world with their popularity. We also know that technology has helped people to gain instant access to any information on the website from anywhere in the world. As described by Ellsworth (1994), information available on the internet for the purpose of educating people is just like a “a worldwide personal library” (p,7). But on the other hand, the question appears that how a person can tell that the information available on the internet is valid and possesses authenticity? Google has played a key role as a gateway to access any information from anywhere without checking the source and its validity. The access to information in such an easy way has raised many concerns. According to Grayling (2001), the googlization of everything has made people to cross the ethical boundaries and to shed their values in an organized manner. He highlights the point that the availability of personal information related to someone may cause him to suffer from irreparable losses without his knowledge. Grayling argues that Google has provided a platform to people to share and then use personal information of them and others without thinking about the consequences it can cause on their lives. It has raised concerns for the use of Google to fulfill the personal and business means that is the validity of information is reliable? Can we trust the search engine for passing on our information? However, the actions of Google contradict with their professional standings as they claim to be a reliable source and a public institution. However, it depends on people that how much and to what extent do they want to share the information? And also, to what extent do they want the technology to make an impact on their lives? Conclusion: It is clearly evident that technology has the potential to make a positive or a negative impact on a person’s life. It can help a person to build his social family structure and at the same time, its negative use has the tendency to dismantle his social family structure and social life. It is important to understand that how a person can use it in a proper meaningful manner. Excessive use and dependency on anything is harmful, yet people are in dire need to understand that how they can create the balance with its use in their lives to shape the society in a better way. Word Count: 1203 List of References: Buffardi, L. E., & Campbell, W. K. (2008). Narcissism and social networking web sites. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 34, 1303-1314. Ellsworth, Jill H.(1994). Education on the Internet. Indianapolis: Sams Publishing Garshon. I. (2012). The Breakup 2.0: Disconnecting Over New Media. Cornell University Press; USA. Toffler, A. (1980). The Third Wave. Bantam Publishing House; USA Grayling. A.C. (2011). The Googlization of Everything: Has Google Turned Evil? Salon.com Winner, L. (2001). Whatever Happened to the Electronic Cottage. Tech Knowledge Revue. [Available online] http://natureinstitute.org/pub/ic/ic5/global.htm accessed on 10th December, 2012 Read More