So, going back to the post title, "Slaves to Technology". The title speaks for itself, doesn't it? Probably no point in me writing any more right? Well, I'm going to any way! haha
A couple of things this week have prompted me to write this blog post, both of which involve my journey on the Jubilee line! Earlier this week I was so engrossed in a conversation over Whatsapp and didn't realise I was standing next to someone on the tube that I know. He had to tap me on the shoulder for me to even look up and around to realise where I was.
What's the other trigger for the post? Well, reading the Metro newspaper, whilst travelling in to work on the tube this morning, an article jumped out with the title "Online gadgets are set to outnumber us 2 to 1". Is there some sort of low key technology revolution happening?
It's not just gadgets though is it? Online Social media such as Facebook and Twitter have been hogging the headlines over recent months too. Isn't it amazing how much people now rely on Facebook and Twitter to keep in touch with their friends? I remember back in school when I used to use the land line to speak to my friends, almost on a daily basis. Now we rely on Facebook chat, Facebook messages and Twitter updates to see what our friends are up to and to an extent organise events.
I guess the use of social networking sites has a lot to do with the gadgets we have available these days too, i.e. with all the smart phones, tablets and computers available these days it's not surprising that people are always on their gadgets conversing with others using the social networking sites I mentioned above.
Why is it that we have so much technology though? Is it affecting our social interaction with people? Why are we relying so much on these "facilities" to converse with others?
Back in September 2010 I submitted my MSc dissertation along the lines of this topic, more specifically how Facebook and smart phones affect social human interaction. It was interesting to see how many millions of people have signed up to Facebook accounts and even more interesting how often Facebook and twitter were accessed using gadgets like smartphones.
I guess we have so much technology because we always want information while we're on the move i.e. whether you're travelling on the train in the morning, walking to the shops or just out for lunch. We all seem to want to know what's going on in the world at every free moment we get. Surely if we want to know what our friends are up to, it's easier to pick up the phone and ask them, right? Clearly not in this day and age, as for many people it's a case of "I don't really have time to speak to someone on the phone" or "I'm too busy to meet my mate but I have time to send them a message on facebook and have a conversation".
Admittedly, I'm addicted to technology and gadgets, a perfect example of this is that at work I've had my mobile phone on my desk and people have noticed that it's a different phone to the last time they popped over. I'm sure most of those that know me will agree that I'm a regular on Facebook and some would say/think I'm addicted to it. Truth is, after high school i've always been a texter or emailer than a talk on the phone kind of person, which would probably explain the use of Facebook, whatsapp, Blackberry messenger and emails!
With the number of events, gatherings and advertising now taking place through Facebook, twitter, etc.. I'm not surprised that we're all so engrossed in gadgets and online social networking. I guess the questions I would ask are: Is society's demand for information driving the need for online social networking and gadgets? or Is technology so far advanced that it is in a way push us to want it?
Personally I think it's both, we all want information at the click of a mouse or the tap of a screen and don't really think about how that impacts our social lives, well certainly in person any way. Our demand drives technology to better itself, which in turn drives us to want more.
I'd love to know your thoughts on this, so ask yourselves, Am I addicted to technology? Do I interact with most of my friends over social networking sites, BBM, Whatsapp more than I actually talk to them? How has using so much technology affected me?
For those that aren't addicted to technology, why not? Do you feel left out? If you're not on Facebook or Twitter, are you missing out on the latest news? events? gatherings?
Is my question even relevant? Are we just using the tools available to use in these changing times?
