It is undeniable that the rapidly advancing technology brought about great convenience and better communications for the majority, however, there are also negative impacts which many seemed to have overlooked.
As mentioned in the article from Digital Life published on 24th June, it is proven that although gadgets bring about much convenience to our daily lives, they also tend to bring about some disturbance and disruptions.
Gone were the days whereby we relied and depended on telegrams, cave paintings and smoke signals to communicate with one another. As technologies are being developed at an overwhelming rate and well adopted by societies, the services offered also becomes increasingly affordable. Young people now are relatively tech-savvy and relied heavily on technologies in helping them to communicate with their peers as technologies offer them faster and more innovative modes of communication.
Technologies have brought about so much convenience that many people have also conveniently forgotten their own identities. With wireless broadband becoming so common and readily available on mobile phones or computer, it is not strange to see people logging onto the much craved for facebook or twitter just to poke their noses into the lives of their friends or of their favourite celebrities. And with SMS(Short Message Service) and 3G (3rd Generation) services becoming relatively cheaper, it is also not surprising to see people constantly thumping on the keypads or looking into the cameras of their phones, and then neglecting the feeling of those around them. Very often when one is doing either of the mentioned examples, we tend to forget our location and will also tend to overlook a lot of factors, which explains why people who are not ‘sucked’ into another dimension may have issues with these seemingly unconscious people.
Therefore, as much as we indulge in the convenience in which technologies have brought us, we should always carry with us a conscience and gracious mentality that not everyone can be tolerant of such behaviours. Although mobile communications save us time, we should always try to be sensitive towards how others may feel when we yak sweet-nothings to our partners next to someone who may be sitting or standing beside us or when we inconsiderately drive our attention away from something which we should be giving out full attention to such as meetings and lectures. With gracious attitudes and great technologies, the world can surely be a more ideal place to live in!
As mentioned in the article from Digital Life published on 24th June, it is proven that although gadgets bring about much convenience to our daily lives, they also tend to bring about some disturbance and disruptions.
Gone were the days whereby we relied and depended on telegrams, cave paintings and smoke signals to communicate with one another. As technologies are being developed at an overwhelming rate and well adopted by societies, the services offered also becomes increasingly affordable. Young people now are relatively tech-savvy and relied heavily on technologies in helping them to communicate with their peers as technologies offer them faster and more innovative modes of communication.
Technologies have brought about so much convenience that many people have also conveniently forgotten their own identities. With wireless broadband becoming so common and readily available on mobile phones or computer, it is not strange to see people logging onto the much craved for facebook or twitter just to poke their noses into the lives of their friends or of their favourite celebrities. And with SMS(Short Message Service) and 3G (3rd Generation) services becoming relatively cheaper, it is also not surprising to see people constantly thumping on the keypads or looking into the cameras of their phones, and then neglecting the feeling of those around them. Very often when one is doing either of the mentioned examples, we tend to forget our location and will also tend to overlook a lot of factors, which explains why people who are not ‘sucked’ into another dimension may have issues with these seemingly unconscious people.
Therefore, as much as we indulge in the convenience in which technologies have brought us, we should always carry with us a conscience and gracious mentality that not everyone can be tolerant of such behaviours. Although mobile communications save us time, we should always try to be sensitive towards how others may feel when we yak sweet-nothings to our partners next to someone who may be sitting or standing beside us or when we inconsiderately drive our attention away from something which we should be giving out full attention to such as meetings and lectures. With gracious attitudes and great technologies, the world can surely be a more ideal place to live in!
Yup, I agree that technology connects people and and yet creates distance. I am especially annoyed when I am out with friends whom are busily (and happily) sms-ing away while being with me. It is as if they are dating their phones instead.
ReplyDeleteIt is easy to get carried away with such conveniences at hand. But I feel that it is a courtesy and a form of respect to give due attention to the surrounding people.
Thus the greatest distance is not from point A to point B but from one person to another. It's physical distance versus emotional distance.
I think I am fully indulged with the convenience of technologies! However, I agree with Elly that we shouldn't be too focused on the convenience of gadgets whenever we are on a date with friends. If they want to focus so much with their gadgets, then they shouldn't even agree with this date which is supposed to be interpersonal or a group communication.
ReplyDeleteI admit that I am so dependent on technologies, that without my hanphone and computer I would feel lost. Not to mention I depend on my phone to tell the time and where all my contacts are.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I feel that with the advancement in technology, people are starting to forget the "human touch". Where people meet and greet one another, talk and have a conversation face to face. With social spaces like Facebook and Twitter, we do not need to meet up or call to find out how a friend is doing, all we need to do is drop them a comment or follow them on Twitter. Even when someone is having trouble with a product or service, they just have to dial helpline or customer service without stepping out of their comfort zone.
And I also agree with jen and elly, that when we are out with other people, gadgets like phones and psps should be kept to enjoy the physical company of them and engage in active communication and not seen ferociously punching the keys on our phones.
I agree that its important humans in general need to learn to adapt to the technology they invent by adopting habits & practices that will help integrate technology well into our daily lives. Mobile communications, for example, were invented to enhance our lives, not bring us inconveniences such as interupting us during important meetings or dinner dates with people we care about.
ReplyDeletetherefore, to maximise the amount of benefits these tecnologies can bring to our lives we should practise 'handphone ettiqute' & know when we should & should not use these devices! (:
As the technology gets older and cheaper we tend to take it for granted and ignore the people around us. Yes i agree with your points for the pros and cons.
ReplyDeleteThe advancement in technology has definitely served us well, with providing more convenience and more speed. Your post brings about another viewpoint: Has technology brought us more manners or has it rendered us unable to be socially aware/responsible?
ReplyDeleteMoreover, with the rise in smartphones, the Internet is always at our fingers; communication with the world is always at our fingers. Yet many have neglected the people around them while indulging in the little gadget we hold in our hands.
Indeed, one of my pet peeves is a friend who seems more interested in her mobile phone than in the conversation we are having. And seriously, must I really know that the guy one seat away from me is deeply in love?
I feel that although technology brings about conveniences in communication, it also at the same time, brings about communication breakdown in some situation. For example, when a person is being 'sucked' into her mobile technology, he or she tend to forget and neglect the other people in her surrounding, thus making it harder for these other people to try and communicate with him or her.
ReplyDeleteI guess above all, it is very important for individuals to be self-conscious of what they are doing, for if not, it will be hard for others to correct them.