_Essay 3 Final

.docx

School

University of California, Santa Barbara *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

104B

Subject

English

Date

Oct 30, 2023

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by MateHeatFlamingo24

Varughese 1 Ethan Varughese English 110-41105 Mr. Brausch 11/15/21 Essay #3 Too Much Technology, and Its Effect "Throughout human history, we have been dependent on machines to survive. Fate, it seems, is not without a sense of irony.” This movie quote comes directly from the science fiction classic, the Matrix. In the Matrix as well as various other classic science fiction films, the directors more often than not, warn their viewers about the detrimental effects that technology has on society. On one hand, this vilification of technology could just be to derive plot and film suspense, on the other hand, it may foreshadow the detrimental effects of our advanced technology in the real world. In the novel Team Human, Douglas Rushkoff provides countless examples of how technology isolates and represses us from a society that is now dominated by algorithms. But that is not to say that the author Douglas Rushkoff is completely against the idea and use of technology. One of the main points that Rushkoff aims to establish is that the solution to our problem is not necessarily a world without technology, but rather a world in which technology is used more efficiently. Ultimately, the solution to our problem is not to revert to a society without technology, but rather to actively use technology with less autonomy, a greater sense of consciousness, and most importantly recognizing that our behavior with technology is a team effort. One of the most threatening technological advancements to society, which requires swift societal intervention is digital communication. Due to platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, people can communicate with others, twenty-four hours a day, directly from their

Varughese 2 pocket. Moreover, this constant accessibility to instantaneous communication and on-the-spot entertainment has in itself created additional societal problems. The biggest problem with our new form of instant communication is that it allows for our technology to control us and our time, rather than users controlling the technology. Consequently, humans are malleable, and technology is helping shape the traits that make us human. According to a study regarding cell phone usage, “According to recent findings, an average person casually checks their phone about 63 times a day. Even 87% of us do it one hour before going to bed, while 69% check smartphones within the first five minutes of waking up.” ( “Cell Phone Addiction.”) The significance of this quote is that because of the technology we now possess, humans have become increasingly dependent on technology. Furthermore, the advancement in regards to our ability to communicate has resulted in dependence and addiction towards technology. To make these matters worse, the companies that created these digital platforms have deliberately made them more addictive. According to Business Insider “However, several ex-employees of Apple, Google, and Facebook have warned that large tech companies deliberately design apps to be addictive. The logic is simple: the more time you spend on the app, the more profit it generates.” (“Business Insider”) These companies understand the bigger picture, humans are using technology incorrectly and without consciousness or compassion, thus allowing them to profit immensely from its users. Subsequently, the addictive technology created by these companies to improve our digital communication has simultaneously changed our natural human characteristics and ability to use technology consciously with a set of human values. In conclusion, to repair the damage caused by technology, we must take a step back and reevaluate our use of technology. The solution to lessen the grip that technology has over society is for humans to reclaim their behaviors by using technology cognizantly and emphasizing real-world

Varughese 3 connection and communication. Now that we have a fundamental understanding of the detrimental effects of technology on humans and society, we must investigate the solution. Critically, the solution to the addiction and isolation caused by technology is going to be difficult, and it will require humans to work cohesively as a team. The problems caused by our advancements in technology reside solely in how humans use technology and manage large tech companies who profit from addiction to technology. Furthermore, humans must keep an eye on technology conglomerates that aim to isolate and repress us with platforms that promote digital addiction. Undoubtedly what our society needs is not a digital revolution but rather a digital renaissance. During the 15-16th century, Europe underwent a Renaissance period in which it revived many old ideas regarding art, literature, and social change. The relevance here is that society needs a modern technological renaissance, that forces us to change our relationship and usage of technology. According to Rushkoff “The revolutionary fervor with which the digital era has promoted has finally begun to die down and people are becoming aware of the ways in which these networks and companies behind them have compromised our relationships, our values, and our thinking.” (Rushkoff 187) In other words, the digital society we live in has destroyed moral values such as compassion, patience, and compromised ethics. To prevent the detrimental effects which technology forces onto us, humans collectively need to rethink personal communication. An example of this could include something as simple as reducing technology usage and instead promoting in-person communication and could go as far as removing algorithmically driven technology from one’s lifestyle. The key aspect of the proposed solutions is that they must be done collaboratively by humans who share a common goal. The common goal must be to use technology more effectively, consciously and considerate of human values.

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version