12 Hours Without Technology - Essay Example

12 Hours without Technology According to Neil Postman in his article “Five Things We Need to Know about Technological Change”, technology has evolved since the ancient times to more complex systems of communication, and transportation among others (Postman, 1998). With the change in technology, societies too have changed and are now characterized by a growing need and dependence on the various forms of technology. Technology has enabled online communication and enhanced how individuals exchange information and knowledge. Communication is a vital aspect of an individual’s life, and technology has revolutionized how people communicate in the past few centuries. Communication technology has become a part of the modern society and thus, has a significant impact on the life of the 21st century man. Andrew Ledbetter et al. in their article “Attitudes toward Online Social Connection and Self-Disclosure as Predictors of Facebook Communication and Relational Closeness” indicate that, technology has resulted in many gadgets like computers, phones and tablets among other devices (Ledbetter et al, 2011). Moreover, it has become a norm for people to communicate through social sites like Facebook and twitter. Ledbetter et al (2011) further argue that this development has led to a change on how people communicated in the past. Mobile phones present an opportunity to analyze how technology has enhanced communication, and play a vital role in the society. In the contemporary world, a mobile phone symbolizes power and economic status. Jochen Peter and Patti Valkenburg in their work “Online communication Among Adolescents” indicate that above 76% of the United Kingdom population own a mobile, with almost 66% of the adults revealing that they cannot live without a phone (Valkenburg & Peter, 2011). The experience of 12 hours without utilizing any form of technology is unthinkable. This is because technology has become an integral part of an individual’s life. Devices such as phones and computers characterized my early life and since then I have hid behind our societal veil of technological devices like smart phones. The first phone I recall seeing was a black cell phone, which was characterized by a green screen as its background. Going 12 hours without technology is virtually impossible as its application improves how people communicate. Mobile phones are very essential in a human being’s life and life, without these devices will be very complicated (Valkenburg & Peter, 2011). As a source for communication, my phone is my most valued item as I carry it everywhere. Since I utilize the gadget to get in touch with other members of the society, as well as a source of information, the 12-hour experience was a very difficult task. Since, I could not use any alternative communication devices like a laptop; I turned to an innate form of communication. Verbal communication was the only way I could communicate with others. This provided an opportunity to converse with my family and friends as it offered free time to relate well with them. More time was spent chatting with my siblings than on my personal item. Conversations with my family members and friends lasted more than the clicks that characterize online communication. I, however, still longed for my phone to be able to access my music collection and connect with my friends over the social sites. The experience was worthwhile as it presented an opportunity to think about the notion of online communication and technology in general. Even though I appreciate technology due to the unlimited internet access, which enables one to stay in touch with the world with seamless information about the things and issues prevalent in the world, the experience provided an insight of how individuals are defined by their profiles in social sites, which do not portray who they really are. Face-to-face form of communication is very different from that done online, or over a social network. The experience of 12 hours without a mobile phone offered a valuable opportunity to reconnect with my family and friends. During this period, I was disconnected in ways that normal individuals would see quite unimaginable. The experience offered me a sense of freedom to indulge in activities that I rarely took part in before. Putting the mobile phone aside provided an insight of how much an individual can gain beyond the power of the two-dimensional screen. Even though it is possible to learn much about someone over social sites like Facebook, meeting an individual on an application has both its disadvantages and advantages. The experience reminded me of how rampant technological devices are in our contemporary societies. Moreover, this experience offered me a chance to be free from the destructions of social networks, and a chance to take part in real time activities. With reference to the three readings, it is evident that technology plays a vital role in the lives of individuals. According to Neil Postman (1998), many issues are as a result of dependence on technological communication devices, with various practices and behaviors arising with the utilization of mobile phones. Moreover, it is evident that more adolescents are involved in online communication and this factor does not provide the young adults with an opportunity for individual development. Based on this, it is important for adolescents to pass through activities that are beneficial in the development process rather than chatting on social networks. Research indicates that online communication brings forth informal social relations (Valkenburg & Peter, 2011). This type of interaction fails to fulfill the intended goal of socialization and communication. According to Ledbetter et al, Many adolescents view chatting and communicating online as cool, as it also helps in keeping in touch with friends across distance and some of whom one has never met (Ledbetter et al, 2011). This has changed how people relate as individuals, and has developed friendships that lack bonds. Based on this, technology has a significant impact on the society, and as societies develop, so does the technological impact (Valkenburg & Peter, 2011). The main connection between the three readings is that they all agree that technology has become a fundamental aspect, which characterizes the 21st Century as it ha revolutionized how societies share information and knowledge. Communication is an important aspect in everyone’s life and technology provides a perfect platform for individuals to relate. However, how people relate brings forth risks that are unimaginable to the development of societal relationships. Going 12 hours without a mobile phone showed me of the demerits of online communication (Valkenburg & Peter, 2011). References Ledbetter, A. M., Mazer, J. P., DeGroot, J. M., Meyer, K. R., & Mao, Y. (2011). Attitudes Toward Online Social Connection and Self-Disclosure as Predictors of Facebook Communication and Relational Closeness. Communication Resaerch, 38, 27-53. Postman, N. (1998). Five Things We Need to Knowabout Technological Change. Valkenburg, P.  & Peter, J. (2011). Online Communication among Adolescents: An Integrated Model of its Attraction, Opportunities, and Risks. Journal of Adolescent Health, 48(2), 121-127. Read More