The Advent of Communications and Information Technology - Essay Example

The mere advent of advanced electronics had compelled Canadian educator and Philosopher Marshall McLuhan to term the recreation of the world into a global village back in the 1960s when there was no sign of either the internet or any similar communications technology (3). The first decade of the twentieth century has, however, bought significant changes in society that has made the world a very small place to live in. McLuhan’s claim narrated that the technological advancements had created a global “tribal echo-land” of media resonance where people from all over the world could listen to each other’s conversations whenever desired.

Literally speaking, Information and Communications Technology is a generic term that describes the communication among humans via computers and other technically advanced devices. This communication has become an inevitable part of every human being’s everyday routines in the present times. In order to keep up with the rapid changes that are taking place in the world, it has become essential that the news giving sources should regularly be looked up to. And what else could be better than staying logged in to online news giving sites and social and business networking sites at regular intervals?

This is a very important benefit of technology. All the current updates just about anything and everything are just a click of the mouse away. At least one of the communication devices in a household is definitely logged on to the internet round the clock. However, this habit of staying connected to the internet has its disadvantages as well. It is often said that technology behaves like a ‘double-edged sword’ (Kurzweil, 2008). Where the pros of the attractive and convenient to use communications advancements have shaped the society towards betterment the cons of the said changes are often problematic and alarming. C. P.

Snow (1971), who is a renowned English physicist and novelist, said, Technology…is a queer thing. It brings you great gifts with one hand, and it stabs you in the back with the other. The most dangerous phenomenon of present times is social networking websites. These sites are very attractive to human nature. Elders and youngsters both like to stay logged in to their profiles identities on these websites round the clock just because they are anxious about status updates from their friends or are looking up the next comment update on any issue that is being commented upon on the discussion board.

These and other similar online activities are addictive. One stays glued to these happenings round the clock neglecting the ongoing everyday activities around him/her. Studies reveal a very alarming fact: ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder could emerge in children to access social networking websites excessively. This is a very serious ailment that hinders the children from having real-life personal conversations with another human being because parts of their brain have remained underused for a long duration on time.

(Waldez 2010) According to recent studies, the average rate at which teenagers access social networking websites in a day is ‘Nine Hours per Day’ (National School Board’s Association 2007). This leaves these youngsters with practically no time to spend with others in person. Society is now getting shaped in such a manner that neither elders nor youngsters get time for people around them because they are too engrossed in the online ever-changing world of “Social Networking”. (Sigman, 2009).

Conclusively, it can very well be said that technological advancements are here for good but their application into real life should be limited to an extent that does not adversely affect the survival instincts of human beings. Thus, staying updated by staying online is beneficial but only with the check that the emphasis on human personal interaction is maintained.