Are We Too Dependent on Computers - Research Paper Example

Are We Too Dependent on Computers? of Outline I. Introduction -Thesis ment II. Differing opinions III. Reasons people should continue using computers IV. Opponents of computer overuse V. Indicators of overdependence on computers VI. Recommendations for future researches VII. Conclusion VIII. References Introduction Generally, a computer is a programmable device/machine that is able to execute several finite sets of logical and arithmetic operations. In fact, that its programs or sequence of operations are flexible and can be manipulated implies that a computer can be used to solve different types of problems. To execute these tasks by its programs, a computer must have an element of processing and memory in which it stores vital and fed information. It is the processing component of a computer that executes the directed logical and arithmetic operations (Ifrah, 2001). Used in controlling and sequencing operations in a computer are the control and sequencing units respectively. Since its invention, the computer has caused hitherto unimagined changes in the nature of man’s life. In fact, computers are today required and used in almost all professions and spheres of life known to man. Among the uses of a computer include internet, desktop publishing, digital video and audio composition, in medication and diagnosis, mathematical calculations, e-learning, ATMs, media, and business (Stokes, 2007). The other fields in which computers are extensively used are the aviation industry, sports, and weather analysis. From these applications of computers, it is apparent that almost all spheres of life are affected by the computer. It may thus be asserted without fear of contradiction that computers have pushed the society into hitherto unfathomed levels of proficiency and efficiency. In fact, computers are currently leading the human mission to eradicate social problems such as illiteracy and poverty, making it rather difficult fro people to envisage what a world bereft of computers would look like (Ifrah, 2001). This paper explores the assertion that people are too dependent on computers. Thesis Statement Despite the myriad advantages and benefits of computers, the evident overuse of computers by man in almost all spheres of life has been decried given that this overdependence has caused numerous negative health and social problems that future researches should focus on. Differing Opinions Despite the fact that it has made work and life easier and more enjoyable to some extent, opinions differ on the extent to which man depends on the computer and the positive and negative impacts of this overdependence on computer and related technologies. Generally, computers are regarded as rather helpful tools for saving time at workplace and at study. For instance, in a school environment, computers may help a student save on time by cancelling out the need to visit libraries or bookstores to collect information. Specifically influenced by computers are learning institutions in which learners have become so addicted to computers that little are done without the help of a computer (Lavington, 1998). Unfortunately, the current digital age and technologies have made many learners over dependent on technologies such as computers. While some people argue that man is unhealthily over dependent on computers, others are of the opinion that people are merely using computers for the intended purposes and are thus not over dependent on the gadget. Therefore, this latter group often gives the various uses and advantages of relying on computers to execute a lot of tasks at home or workplace. According to those supporting the exploitation of computers in doing most tasks, it is the time of technological advances and exploitation and the world needs to take full advantage of modern technologies, which are blessings that buoy our lives (Lavington, 1998). Nonetheless, some of the supporters of computer exploitation admit that computer use and overdependence has both positive and negative sides. For instance, this group of people agree that not all information on the internet is correct and helpful to people. Thus, it is necessary that people keep level head before using computers in any of the various situations in which computers are used. As an illustration, it is important that people really consider having a clue on the kind of information they access from the internet. What is more, those supporting reliance on computers assert that without computers, sectors such as business, public services, healthcare, education, and entertainment would be marred with delays and interruptions, causing reduced productivity. Although technologies permeate almost every task in these sectors, the computer tops all of these technologies, further underscoring the importance of computers in modern society. The first advantage for which computer should be exploited is its promotion of high safety standards in the auto, aviation, and health industries. Second, people should not tire from using the computer since the gadget relieves people from the mental work required to process huge amounts of data. Third, the results required in industries such as healthcare and education would be difficult to achieve without the assistance of computers. Therefore, since the human hand would take quite a lot of time to process and present such results, it is only apparent that computers should be used in all spheres of life. This use of computers in this regard cannot therefore be termed as overdependence. Reasons People should Continue Using Computers The supporters of computer use and the current obsession with computers thus do not consider this obsession or usage as overdependence; rather, they are of the opinion that computers should be used and exploited because of its many advantages and benefits. Specifically, computers have been tremendously useful in improving the manner in which businesses in various industries are managed. In fact, due to the technological advances realized in recent times, businesses and individuals shunning the computers risk losing markets and ideas to their competitors. Among the advantages for which computer applications are recommended, notwithstanding the notion that people are over dependent on computers include better organization, cost-effectiveness, self-sufficiency, improved returns, precision, accuracy, reproducibility, and speed (Jernigan, 2011). Although these factors could be listed as the reasons people over depend on computers, others consider them the reasons for which computers exist and they should be exploited, otherwise, these inventions would go to waste. With the help of computers, it has been possible for businesses to use software to manage and keep track their deadlines, schedule, files, and records. Therefore, through computers, it has been possible to make business information safer and more accessible. Businesses are thus compelled to use and exploit the computers capacity to enable them organize their files efficiently, resulting in improved time management and productivity. In other terms, it pays to rely on computers in the current competitive and unpredictable business environment. The other aspect of computers that should be exploited without one feeling over dependent on the gadget is its self-sufficiency, which allows people and organizations to execute tasks that would be outsourced before computers came to being (Jernigan, 2011). For instance, because of computers, organizations can prepare their own training, tax documents, accounting, and marketing materials. Consequent to computer invention and its myriad applications, organizations have managed to remain in-house and more empowered to be more independent, more accurate, and less disposed to outside errors. Although some assert that man currently over depends on computers, its cost-effectiveness has been widely cited as one reason it should be used whenever necessary. In fact, with the emergence of new computer-related and -derived technologies, services, and tools, individuals and organizations have managed to prepare their staff payroll and other office documents in faster, more efficient, and less costly manner (Jernigan, 2011). In addition, the cost effectiveness of computers is evident in the fewer employees required since computers do most of the work that would have been done by man. Computers also save on data storage, purchase of machines and equipment such as fax machines, accounting equipment, and typewriters. Opponents of Computer Overuse Opposing those in support of extensive computer usage are those of the opinion that people are over dependent on computers, adding that the negative impacts of this overdependence by far exceeds its positive effects. For instance, in contemporary times, people are found to be so dependent on computers that they spend less time with family and friends than they spend at computers. This time is not spent at computers simply because they are popular; instead, online games, social sites, and chat-rooms are some of the major attractions in computers. As a result of this over exposure and overdependence on computers, countless negative consequences have been reported, more so in the youth. Most of these effects are related to isolations, social seclusion, health, intelligence, growth and development (Jernigan, 2011). Those decrying overdependence on computers thus cite a number of harms caused by this overdependence and identify several measures by which this over-dependence could be avoided or reduced. The first harm of overdependence on computers is bad influence, more so for children and youth long before they are mature enough. Consequent to this bad influence from overreliance and overdependence on computers, people often have limited the vision as concentrating and over-focusing on computer screens for long periods could make peoples’ eyes exhausted thus blurring and interfering with their vision. As a result of overdependence on computers, quite a number of people wear glasses today. The other health implications of overdependence on computers are increased pressure to circulatory and nervous system. Similarly, overdependence on computers has stunted growth of intelligence, learning and skill improvement. This latter effect of overdependence on computers is explained by the fact that the more active a people are, the more intelligent they are. This is particularly so for children whose brains are denied the chance to practice in solving real problems early in life. Overdependence on computers has also denied people the chance to interact with others, learn, and improve their social behaviors (Stokes, 2007). In the contrary, overdependence and overexposure to computers has only fuelled violence and other disorderly conduct in people. That people are over dependent on computers is also evidenced by the many hours people take at computers at the expense of quality family times that would foster understanding and care among family members and in the society. Instead, people obsessively check their e-mails, play online games, chat on social media, and place more value, resources, and time on chat-room friends than on real friends. In the process of allocating more resources to computer and other technologies, people have neglected family, work, personal and communal health and hygiene. From these signs and symptoms, it may be asserted without fear of contradiction that computer overdependence is a newly surfaced form of addiction, which is being ignored by those supporting its exploitation as a technology whose time is has come. In fact, overdependence on computers could be discussed elaborately as computer addiction, although some disagree on the existence on computer addiction as a condition warranting serious attention. Since the concept of computer addiction is a rather complex, wide-spectrum, and multifaceted issue, it is quite difficult to think up a single definition. For example, some people are merely addicted to the computer as a physical objective while others are addicted to computer-related activities such as playing video games, the internet, pornography, e-mail, instant messaging, and reading news articles. People have different reasons for over depending on computers and the programs therein. Notwithstanding whether one uses a computer extensively for recreational purposes or spends hours doing professional work, both are considered to be addicted or over dependent on the computer, depending on the reasons for the extensive computer use. Indicators of Overdependence on Computers That people are overtly over dependent on computers are indicated by the following apparent effects of overreliance on computer. The first effect is the apparent lack of social interaction among people always found at their computers for hours on end. Second, there are people that use computers not only for pleasure and gratification but also for relief from stress. From this effect, it is obvious that such people over depend on the computer so much that it is their only source of pleasure and gratification (Orzack, 1998). Third, there is a class of people that increasingly spend huge amounts of time and money on computer software, hardware, and other computer-related activities and items. The fourth indicator of overdependence on computers is the tendency of the victims to neglect their work, school, and family obligations and to lie regarding the amount of time spent at the computer. As a consequence of this neglect, these people are at risk of losing their personal relationships and educational/career goals. Finally, computer overdependence victims repeatedly fail to control computer use. Research Recommendation The central role that computers play in contemporary life has made it a rather lucrative field of research for professionals and scholars. However, the topics for these researches and studies have been quite divergent. Unfortunately, some of these studies have not been beneficial as they fail to discuss or focus on the possible negative and positive effects of overdependence or overreliance on computers on individuals and society (Orzack, 1998). This paper recommends that more researches be focused on computer overdependence, particularly the positive and negative impacts of this overdependence. However, given that most people would agree that too much of computers is dangerous to the physical, mental, and psychological health and one’s social well being, most researches should target the negative effects of computer overdependence and the possible mechanisms by which this overdependence may be avoided, managed, and reduced among computer addicts (Orzack, 1998). Among the fields in which future researches on computer overdependence and its effects should be based include education, manufacturing/heavy industries, businesses, economies, medicine, and banking sectors. These are some of the sectors in which computers have had the most positive and negative impacts. Generally, future researches on computer effects should target the workplace most since it is at this place that peoples’ creativity, innovativeness, and intelligence has been compromised by overreliance and overdependence on computers (Heron, 2003). One important area of study for computer research should be computer addiction, which has been found to have many negative effects on people. The most immediate and dire of these effects of computer addiction that need to be researched and addressed are social in nature. First among these social problems associated caused by computer addiction is withdrawal from friends and family as one spends more time on the computer. Consequent to this effect of computer addiction, more studies should focus on the effects of computers on relationships and behaviors towards social functions and obligations to friends and family. The emotional toll that computer overdependence causes on computer addicts should also be addressed in future computer studies. Among the aspects of the emotional impacts of computer overdependence that should be studied in details in future are the tendency of computer addicts to place more emotional value and attachment on computer programs such as games, social sites, and chat-room, which deform peoples’ social ideas and perceptions. Future research should also address the physical damages that are occasioned by computer overdependence and addiction such as repetitive stress injuries and back problems caused by over using computer components such as the mouse and the keyboard for many hours. Additionally, late-night computer sessions also eat into the much-needed sleep time, causing long-term sleep deprivation, drowsiness, lack of concentration, and a depressed immune system (Heron, 2003). The other physical effect of computer addiction that future researches must address is lack of meaningful physical exercise in computer addicts, which make them more likely to be obese. Conclusion That computers and technologies in general have made life more comfortable and faster is undisputed. However, it is imperative that people decide on how to use technological advances such as computers for the benefit of individual and society. Particularly, the computer, through the internet, is perhaps the most important scientific discovery in the dispersion and obtainment of knowledge and divergent ideas. Nevertheless, excess of everything has been believed to be bad. To this effect, many critics have described computers as professional killers of creativity, innovativeness, and intelligence development. In contemporary society, people spend so much time at their computers that little time is left for social interactions and other self-development and growth activities. Thus, this overdependence and overreliance on computers have the effect of killing peoples’ and ideas’ originality since people are likely to stop thinking, being creative, and being innovative with the current overdependence on computers and other related technologies. In fact, certain computer addicted or those over dependent on computers rarely complete assignments without seeking assistance from the machine. These computer addicts merely become copycats and are never motivated to execute a task without the help of a computer. References Heron, D. (2003) Time to log off: new diagnostic criteria for problematic internet use. University of Florida, Gainesville Press. Ifrah, G. (2001). The universal history of computing: from the abacus to the quantum computer. New York: John Wiley & Sons. Jernigan, K. (2011). “Negative Effects of Computers on Children.” Livestrong.com. Retrieved on June 8, 2012 from http://www.livestrong.com/article/85306-negative-effects-computers-children/ Lavington, S. (1998). A history of Manchester computers, second edition. Swindon: The British Computer Society. Orzack, M. H. (1998). "Computer Addiction: What Is It?" Psychiatric Times, 15(8), 253. Stokes, J. (2007). Inside the machine: an illustrated introduction to microprocessors and computer architecture. San Francisco: No Starch Press. Read More