Communications technology-- maybe not so good?
I've been thinking about how much of an impact technology has on our lives. I wrote an essay on it for my Portuguese class last semester-- specifically relating to how cell phones, meant to connect us to everyone, can really cut us off from everyone. I read an article in the Daily Universe (the local school paper) about how technology in general is doing that to our society, and it reminded me of how I'd written that essay.
Think about it: everywhere you go you see people on their cell phones. Some of them spend so much time on them that they end up ignoring everyone around them. This causes problems-- it's dangerous to talk on your phone while driving (you'd think everyone knew this, but you'd be surprised how many people I see doing it all the time), annoying to try and hold on a conversation with someone while they're on the phone, and oftentimes just plain rude.
I don't know how many times I've been waiting in line at the cash register and the person in front of me, in the process of buying their food or whatever, gets a call on their phone (and of course they take it). Then what follows is almost comedic in its ridiculosity. The person will sit in front of the cash register waiting for the cashier to finish while paying way too much attention to their phone conversation and not enough on the cashier to notice that they're already waiting for the customer to provide some form of payment. Invevitably this happens when the store is crowded and there's no other open registers. So you're forced to wait while the customer has their conversation, until they finally notice it's time to pay. So, when they try, they don't really pay any attention to the amount they're paying, and consequently they want to make sure every little thing on the receipt is right. Invariably there will be a problem, and you will have to wait for another x minutes while the cashier tries to explain everything to the person who is still talking on the phone. Eventually you get up to the cashier and can pay for your stuff and leave.
Now, it's interesting to note that the cell phone is supposed to make communication easier.
Unfortunately, I've been guilty of answering my cell phone at the cash register on occasion, but I always try to ask the person if I can call them right back or in a minute or two.
Another effect it's having on society is what I've seen around campus here-- and it isn't just cell phones. It's mp3 players, the internet, as well as just about any other device that makes it easier for people to communicate with those who are far away. Now, I'm not saying that any of these things are bad. *heavily emphasizes last sentence* But, I do think the way that they are coming to be used in society can be very detrimental. How many times have you tried talking to someone you saw on campus (or *insert other location you frequent often here*) that you know and they haven't noticed you because they had their headphones in or their cellphone on their ear?
It seems like we're spending most/all of our time with people who aren't with us, and ignoring the people who are immediately around us.
(*reads over last part of post* Hmmm, this sounds a lot more like an attack/rant than I'm wanting it to.)
I don't think it's wrong/bad to have a cell phone, or an mp3 player, or to use either of them. I really like my mp3 player, myself. But, I think it's a different matter to have them and use them well, than to use them all the time.
On another note, I think the internet qualifies well as one of the things that makes us ignore those closer around us in order to spend time with people who are farther away. I've been spending way too much time on it recently-- and it sucks my time away like no other. So, I've been trying to concentrate more on getting my homework and other things done and going to bed earlier so I can be more alert during the day, and spending less time doing meaningless things on the 'net. I've also noticed I always feel like I've wasted more time if I spend it on the internet than if I spend it with friends or other people. It's probably less fulfilling.
*sigh* The idea I had to write about is just about gone, and I'm feeling the pressure to get off here and go get to work on the things I need to finish.
I just wanted to put something out there for you all to think about. (Note: I wasn't targeting anyone-- seriously.) I just got to thinking about it the other day and that I had previously thought about it, so I decided to post.
Well, I'm off. Happy thinking and contemplating. ;)
Think about it: everywhere you go you see people on their cell phones. Some of them spend so much time on them that they end up ignoring everyone around them. This causes problems-- it's dangerous to talk on your phone while driving (you'd think everyone knew this, but you'd be surprised how many people I see doing it all the time), annoying to try and hold on a conversation with someone while they're on the phone, and oftentimes just plain rude.
I don't know how many times I've been waiting in line at the cash register and the person in front of me, in the process of buying their food or whatever, gets a call on their phone (and of course they take it). Then what follows is almost comedic in its ridiculosity. The person will sit in front of the cash register waiting for the cashier to finish while paying way too much attention to their phone conversation and not enough on the cashier to notice that they're already waiting for the customer to provide some form of payment. Invevitably this happens when the store is crowded and there's no other open registers. So you're forced to wait while the customer has their conversation, until they finally notice it's time to pay. So, when they try, they don't really pay any attention to the amount they're paying, and consequently they want to make sure every little thing on the receipt is right. Invariably there will be a problem, and you will have to wait for another x minutes while the cashier tries to explain everything to the person who is still talking on the phone. Eventually you get up to the cashier and can pay for your stuff and leave.
Now, it's interesting to note that the cell phone is supposed to make communication easier.
Unfortunately, I've been guilty of answering my cell phone at the cash register on occasion, but I always try to ask the person if I can call them right back or in a minute or two.
Another effect it's having on society is what I've seen around campus here-- and it isn't just cell phones. It's mp3 players, the internet, as well as just about any other device that makes it easier for people to communicate with those who are far away. Now, I'm not saying that any of these things are bad. *heavily emphasizes last sentence* But, I do think the way that they are coming to be used in society can be very detrimental. How many times have you tried talking to someone you saw on campus (or *insert other location you frequent often here*) that you know and they haven't noticed you because they had their headphones in or their cellphone on their ear?
It seems like we're spending most/all of our time with people who aren't with us, and ignoring the people who are immediately around us.
(*reads over last part of post* Hmmm, this sounds a lot more like an attack/rant than I'm wanting it to.)
I don't think it's wrong/bad to have a cell phone, or an mp3 player, or to use either of them. I really like my mp3 player, myself. But, I think it's a different matter to have them and use them well, than to use them all the time.
On another note, I think the internet qualifies well as one of the things that makes us ignore those closer around us in order to spend time with people who are farther away. I've been spending way too much time on it recently-- and it sucks my time away like no other. So, I've been trying to concentrate more on getting my homework and other things done and going to bed earlier so I can be more alert during the day, and spending less time doing meaningless things on the 'net. I've also noticed I always feel like I've wasted more time if I spend it on the internet than if I spend it with friends or other people. It's probably less fulfilling.
*sigh* The idea I had to write about is just about gone, and I'm feeling the pressure to get off here and go get to work on the things I need to finish.
I just wanted to put something out there for you all to think about. (Note: I wasn't targeting anyone-- seriously.) I just got to thinking about it the other day and that I had previously thought about it, so I decided to post.
Well, I'm off. Happy thinking and contemplating. ;)