Digital Destruction: Are We Becoming Technology Zombies?

  The people at GoodCulture beat me to it: they asked their Facebook and Twitter followers how technology affects human relationships in this day and age. The answers, varied but mostly all relevant, reflect our digital era’s outlook on today’s society.

In the article's comment section, I like what the reader "sz91370" said:

 

"Technology is wonderful and makes getting things done easier….yet at the same time it has caused 'relationship ADHD'. People do not have the same level of commitment or attention span for relationships as ten years ago because it is so much easier to just move on to a new one, whether in friendships, familial, or romantic. Patience has waned as the "next" and "delete" buttons [have become] so accessible."

   Technology has enhanced our society's interactions to a more efficient level. But it also has created a sense of urgency and impatience when things aren't as quick as we're used to...or want them to be. High speed internet aids in the quick retrieval of information, texting makes contacting a person faster than ever before, and the list goes on. As Facebook user Michelle Werner puts it, "Technology feeds the desire for instant gratification..."

Technology Zombies

  Back in the 1800s, a letter that was sent two weeks beforehand was entirely normal. But today, letter writing is nearly obsolete. Why write a letter when you can text the person within seconds or write them an email within minutes? Technology has made it easier to keep in contact with people, but it's also nearly destroyed basic relationship courtesies that were once accepted and expected to be kept. In fact, the digital age has almost made us too social. We're constantly updating, searching, reading, responding, linking, sharing, connecting, and texting; it's basically made us technology zombies. Outside our screens of social networking, the effort for real conversation and real interaction with other humans face-to-face is becoming scarce, even for people who claim they aren't technology savvy.

   Technology used to be just a “bridge” to gap the space of distance and time between people, to simply make it easier to keep in touch. For instance, an email instead of a letter was a more rapid way to let your daughter know Christmas was going to be at Uncle Mick’s house, instead of Gram’s. A text to someone’s mobile phone has become an even quicker way for people to communicate without long telephone conversations. The “unnecessary” step of calling them directly is eliminated. Technology in this age has not only become the bridge, but also the “final destination” as well. In reality, you can virtually talk to someone on a daily basis without actually seeing their face or hearing their voice. This can be very useful in some aspects, but it has also stunted our knowledge of relationship commitment, patience, and social obligation as a whole. Tweeter PopSciGuy said, “Technology minimizes distance on a macro level, but creates space on a micro level.”

Being a “technology zombie” is indeed regrettable. But technology has in fact helped us in many ways. We’re a more advanced and connected society thanks to all the digital gadgets most, if not all of us, now possess. But what do we do to keep our daily lives on a more “real” level, rather than virtual? Living totally without technology, as least for Americans, is not an option. But making efforts to keep our lives on a face-to-face, voice-to-voice level will prove to be beneficial. Yes, it’s good to keep in contact with family and friends. Yes, it’s great that we use computers and technology to enhance our work output potential. Yes, technology has helped us. But if we don’t make the effort to keep everything in balance, by either limiting our virtual interaction or monitoring the time/exertion we put it to it, technology could very well destroy the positive elements we share as a society and keep us malnourished from the real, literal interactions that we need with our fellow humans in order to thrive.

   So what about you? Will you take the challenge to make an effort to keep your social internet life based on a more realistic level? It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. I like the way Facebook user David Heyburn put it:

“When we become overly dependent on technology, I believe it is detrimental to…human relationships. If we can keep in mind the…essence of what the technology is trying to do, [by helping us achieve efficiency, not replacing], we will be better off.” 

For you,