technology: What has it done to us

Today class discussion brought me to a new way of thinking, in the context of technology, and whether this phenomenon has a positive or negative impact on the lives of people who are “infected” with this virus of constant “connection.”

I suppose in some sense we can say this is in fact a connection, but to what, and to whom? Is this “connection” really a connection with anything beyond ourselves? In class today someone brought up that this idea of technology and video games has evolved the population in too quite the self-centered character. This I believe to be true. So with that, I ask if this connection is really a connection at all? To engage and interact with people physically is a key determinant in really connecting with a person. People say that you can equally connect with people through writing, as we hear from Derrida, but I argue if that is really the truth.

When personally interacting with a person versus a screen, you are not only understanding a person on a more personal level, but at the same time you are exercising your social skills. For children to be learning schooling techniques through computers, they are not properly developing the skills that are required in order to get to know those around you, and really be “connected” with their society. I would challenge the belief that video games or computer tools, can give you the same skills that a real one on one conversation or lesson could give.

When I think about the most important thing when it comes to meeting a person, it’s the personality they have and the way they interact with other people. Isn’t this what we base relationships off of? To enjoy spending time with a person and getting to know what there about is the crucial part. If we continuously train our children and future generations that anything they need to know they can “google” or learn through an online source or video game, people will lose the desire to interact with others, and eventually lose social skills all together. What will then become of this world if we as society no longer feel that we need relationships? Because honestly that is what we are saying when we continuously depend on the Internet and our games to show us what the world is