Rushkoff raised couple interesting points in his book Program or be Programmed (2011).
The evolving technology has diminished the traditional concept of time and space. The net empowers people to communicate with each other without limitation of space and time. People don't have to wait for months to see their family and friends. Search engines will present the results to you within couple clicks, no matter if you try to find a book published in the 50's or the explosion happened in Chelsea the other day. The digital technologies also fostered asynchronous communication. People don't have to be at the same place or same time to carry out a conversation, which gives people the luxury to think through what we should say or response.
However, on the other hand, the smartphones and other portable devices start to push the information popping out in front of our faces, the email notification and instant messengers provoke us to think it is our responsibility to reply right away. People may feel forced to do multiple things in a short time frame. Unfortunately, the faster responses don't exchange for more intimacy but the poorer quality of communication.
I always think if we become happier with the help of technology? What did we do with the time saved by using all kinds of technical tools? I am sure people can get a mixed feeling of benefiting and suffering. I think it is necessary to reminder to stay off for some time on a daily basis. Just like one of the 101 etiquettes suggested: A real person always has priority over a device and deserves your full attention.
No comments:
Post a Comment