Journal 1: Technology and Humanity

Design and Social Change Journal 1 Marin Shepardson What would I like to see change? In this day and age technology run society, it has brought with it new things and possibilities. However I believe it has also brought with it a curse for society. While technology has benefitted the advancement of companies, knowledge and the reach of social connection across broader ranges. While this wider scope of connection allows for more social media meeting, it ebbs away at the old traditions and social customs of day to day interaction. Social media is taking over the world in my opinion. What happened to the days when meeting someone took the took the courage of just a simple “hello” in a coffee shop, or standing in like waiting for the bus? Today meeting someone just takes the click of a button and technically you know them, but really you hardly do. Look around you today, one in five people round you is most likely on their cell phone, and if they are younger they are most likely checking some sort of social media site. Facebook, twitter, instagram, you name it they consume the lives of many today. This has created a problem in my view of social customs, manners, and chivalry. Conversations now get interrupted when a text or notification sounds, phones now sit on the dinner table like a piece of silverware, attention in never fully in the moment while we are all plugged in. Albert Einstein foresaw this possible threat with technology, he stated, “I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction. The worlds will have a generation of idiots”. I feel that he was right, that technology is taking over our lives. Twenty years ago a person didn’t have to worry about their personal life crossing over into the work world, today there is a constant worry of what’s on the Internet, facebook, or anywhere that is considered inappropriate for the work world. Even the most responsible workers can have a different mentality outside of work to enjoy themselves. I am not promoting the party on mentality; I just wonder where privacy has gone? What are our values? Tweets from Justin Timberlake, or seeking the knowledge to know more about our country, politics, or even reasons for war. This is what I want to see change, the use of technology to expand knowledge, but keep the social aspects separate. To still believe in chivalry, manners, and person to person interaction. Society cannot depend on social media to develop relationships of value. Phones should be turned off during dinner, or even while in a social outing with friends. We need the courage again to say hi and no longer be consumed by our phones while in line, at a stoplight, or even drinking coffee.