Peoples Dependence on Computers - Essay Example

? People’s Dependence on Computers Introduction Computers were invented in the 1940s. During that time, computers were accessed only by few individuals. However, since the invention, computer knowledge has spread across the world. Computers are applicable in numerous aspects of life. Computers are widely used in many places of work. In addition, computers can be used at home as a source of entertainment and a tool to connect with many people across the globe within a short period. Due to computers’ various uses, people have become increasingly reliant on them. Computers are used by people of all ages, from the children to the grown ups. This raises the question of whether human beings have become too dependent on them or not. Although the computers are very useful and make the work easier, people have become too dependent on them. This paper analyzes people’s dependence on computers. People’s dependence on computers In the American society, many people own computers, and they are accessible to most of the members of the family. Researchers have reflected that an estimated 74% of Canadian and American public has access to the Internet. This has made it easier for the general population to achieve various tasks easily at the comfort of its homes. Through the easy access to the Internet, people can examine books and articles from home. Additionally, people can chat, find cooking recipes, find home remedies for medical problems among other things (Boyer, 2001). This has made the people to become more dependent on computers as many aspects of their lives can find quick solutions from the internet. Computers are found in almost every place that human beings are. These machines can be found in stores in which people shop, in hospitals, homes, banks, and schools among other places. This illustrates that people have become too dependent on computers. If computers were removed from the said places, life would be unbearable for many of its users. In 1999, there was a scare that computers would crash because of the change of the year to 2000. Although this did not happen, many people were worried about what would happen after that. This affirms that many people are not independent of computers. The benefits of computers are numerous, but people should have an alternative in case a similar thing to the scare of the millennium can actualize (Choy & Chan, 2007). The time spent by people on computers also can be used to affirm that people are too dependent on computers. Many people spend valuable time behind their computers. This can lead to eye problems and cases of backaches. Researchers have revealed that 82% of the general population use computers frequently. Some of the activities that people engage in include appealing in chat rooms, playing games, socializing online, video entertainment, and gambling among other such activities. Their continued exposure to such activities has led them to be isolated in their rooms. Consequently, little time is left for socializing with people physically (King, 2010). This has immensely influenced the relationships between members of the society. Although the Internet has helped people to share valuable ideas, it has reduced human contact. This is against the nature of humans to be near each other. Computers have led to the young people becoming lazy on top of making them not to reflect anything. In most of the activities, such as job applications, shopping online, doing home work, paying billions among multiple others are easily accomplished through the use of computers. This has led to people being too dependent on the computer technology. The excessive use of computers also obstructs meaningful relationships among the family members (Choy & Chan, 2007). Some family members will complain of neglect by those spending most of their times on the computers. When computers were invented in the 1940s, a solitary computer could fit into a huge room. These computers were used by a small number of experienced personnel. Over the years, the computers have been customized to become user-friendly to scores of people (Boyer, 2001). As such, computers are currently used to implement many functions that involve brain command. Computers are used to make work easier. They are also used in sensitive work places. Computers are for example, used to store the medical history of patients in the hospital. This makes it possible for the nurses and doctors to view the history of a patient at a glance. If such information is not stored in another form, its loss can have negative consequences. In the business world, computers are also extensively utilized. Most of advertisements are currently done online. In addition, many of the business firms have adopted social networking applications to enhance their businesses. This has been motivated by the high number of people in the social media. Facebook for instance, has in excess of 500 million active users. This illustrates the extent to which people have become reliant on computers. Some of the programs of a computer like Microsoft PowerPoint have been widely used by business people to present interesting and informative presentations. This saves the executives the time to structure a presentation that will get the attention of the audience (King, 2010). The reliance on computers can also be reflected by the amount of time children spend on computers (Choy & Chan, 2007). Traditionally, children were known to connect in playful behavior in playing grounds. However, the emergence of computers has changed this culture. The majority of the American children spend up to 6 hours playing video games during the weekdays and about 12 hours on the weekends. This denies the children the opportunity to make significant interactions with other children in the social order. This trend reflects that people are becoming too dependent on the computers. Children who become dependent on computers are likely to carry on the trend into the adult life. Over the years, people have gained confidence in the computers because of its swiftness in completion of tasks. This has led to the belief that computers are accurate and reliable. Consequently, people do not question the results generated by a computer. However, it should be noted that computers are designed to run through programs. On the other hand, these programs are structured by people capable of making errors. Computers can, therefore, make errors, depending on the errors made during their programming. It has also been established that some people trust the computers more than their own judgment (King, 2010). This over reliance on the computers can lead to disasters resulting from computer errors. Human beings have become dependent on computers, and employ them even in the architecture. This implies that the dependence on computers can expose people to some jeopardy. This can be supported by numerous disasters that have resulted because of computer errors. The Mars Climate Orbiter for instance, collapsed in 1999 as a result of the wrong units in the program (Choy & Chan, 2007). This indicates that although computers are accurate, human judgment should also be involved in analyzing results. People should be aware that computers can also make errors. Nevertheless, some people believe that people are not over relying on the computers. Counterarguments and status quo Some people dispute that human beings are dependent on computers. According to them, human beings invented the computers to make life easier. Using computer, therefore, is a sign that human beings are adaptable to transformations. Following the Darwinian Theory, species that do not adapt to changes in the environment are selected against. Supporters of this argument believe that it would be illogical to use difficult channels whereas there are easier ways. The use of computers is a way of adapting to the progress of the world. If the computers are eliminated, human beings would not perish but will adapt to the development. This argument has some strength, but there should be some mechanisms put in place to shield the people from the danger of computer absence even though it is not imminent (King, 2010). In addition, some people hypothesize that man invented computers, and have continued to make adjustments to make the computers serve them better. Human beings are not dependent on computers, but use it to make life easier. The programs used by computers are also a product of human beings, and this reveals that man is still innovative. The supporters of this argument indicate that human beings do not depend on computers for life. Computers are not like food, water, air, or sunlight. If these things are eliminated, people will perish. On the contrary, human beings will still live in absence of computers. This shows that even if computers are widely used by people, human beings would still survive without them. Human beings are, therefore, not dependent on computers. However, this argument overlooks the extent in which the computers have removed the social nature of human beings (Choy & Chan, 2007). Some people also believe that apart from computer invention, there were so many other inventions in the past that transformed the lives of people. The industrial revolution for instance, changed the lives of people in a significant way. This revolution spread across the world, and was adopted by many societies. The agrarian revolution also influenced the lives of people in a big way across the globe. It is, therefore, incorrect to argue that people have developed over dependence on computers. To claim that people are dependent on the computers is yearning for the past days associated with many difficulties. People should utilize computers to make their lives comfortable (Boyer, 2001). Although there are many arguments to oppose the idea that human beings are too dependent on the computers, from the aforementioned instances, human beings are increasingly relying on the computers. Using computers is good, and it makes lives simpler. In addition, it helps people to connect with others from all corners of the world. Nevertheless, it has denied the human beings the chance to interact physically with each other. This is because people, especially the young, have been isolated from the other world because they are enclosed in their rooms with computers. People should, therefore, find a balancing point to avoid the disappearance of social values that have been passed through generations (King, 2010). Conclusion Since the invention of computers, people have using them in a wide range of activities. Computers are used in schools, hospitals, businesses, and homes among other places. This has led to people becoming too dependent on them. The computers are involved in many aspects of life. The over dependence on computers have robbed people the opportunity to mingle with others. There are many programs that have been formulated to assist human beings to perform tasks that require mental processing. This has made people lazy. On the other hand, computers have transformed the lives of people. People can for instance, share opinions with other people from all corners of the world. In addition, computers are used to make work easier, and improve the speed of completion of tasks. Computers are helpful in improving the lives of people. To avoid over dependence on the computers, people should find a balancing point so that they also create time to interact meaningfully with others physically. In addition, systems based on computer knowledge should have a back up methods to avoid adverse effect if anything happened to the computers. Children should also be controlled to avoid over dependence on computers. References Boyer, S. E. (2001). Understanding English Pronunciation - Student Book: An Integrated Practice Course. Glenbrook: Boyer Educational Resources. Choy, K. W., & Chan, J. (2007). Cpa S3/4 Tb. Hong Kong : Pearson Education South Asia. King, F. (2010). Cyber Psycho. National Review , 62 (8), 45-45. Read More