(Note: The topic I have written is strictly a matter of opinion. I do not mean to offend anyone, as these are only observations. In a sense, I could be considered hypocritical as I do, myself, use technology and appreciate it to an extent. I am merely speaking of getting into the hype of technology.)
Technology, to me, is a double-edged sword. Of course technology has revolutionized every single aspect in our lives, whether it be in communication, health, research, transportation, etc but I also see it as a path to destruction. To me, it’s my “how can I live with out you?” to my “bane of my existence.” We, as a society, are so reliant on technology and we seek to eternally expand its advancement. But it’s certain types of technologies that get me…. gadgets per se. From refrigerators and washing machines that tell you “Good morning”, the time of day, and the temperature outside to cell phones telling you where you are, what your pet’s vet records are, and how to say, “Where is the bathroom?” in French.
Sometimes I just wonder, ‘is all of this necessary?’ When is enough enough? And, will we ever live a simplistic lifestyle ever again?
Now, I’m not trying to discount technology. Heck, my industry worships it. The advertising industry is constantly clawing and scratching just to keep up with technology. I’m just trying to take a step back here and reevaluate the impact technology is having on our planet and society as a whole. We are a society that is so fast-paced and on-the-go, and are constantly seeking the easiest ways to cut the corners of everyday life. I can’t help but fear that either we are on the path to laziness or just completely missing out on life’s simplicities. In simplicities I mean living a life with the absence of technology (i.e. visiting a friend, enjoying the outdoors without constantly talking or texting on the phone, or reading a paperback book instead of a digital on).
I’m all for advancements in finding the cure for diseases and determining more energy efficient usages. But where do our values lie? Apparently in cool gadgets like Amazon Kindle (For me, no thanks - I like to read without straining my eyes from trying to read teeny tiny typeface) and TomToms (Um MAPQUEST THAT SHIT! And yes I realize that Mapquest is just another facet of technology BUT there is one difference: Map quest is FREEEEE. Or are the little things called maps still available?).
I just can’t get that tiny voice of Dr. Mariea Hoy’s out of my head in Advertising Issues class as she pounded our heads with the issues of classical theory (people are innately intelligent enough to actively seek out information before making purchasing decisions) vs. neoclassical theory (people are easily persuaded by the influence of others - i.e. media, advertising – in making purchasing decisions). One of the discussions that most comes to mind is that of overconsumption. One of our readings commented that overconumption = the world’s apocalypse. Basically, in a nut shell, the world as we know it will end because we as human beings have completely exhausted all of our resources due to our need for overconsumption and will completely wipe out our entire race, all other existing species, and the environment. Ishamel, a novel written by Daniel Quinn speaks of a fundamental difference between two types of people: Leavers and Takers. The Leavers take what they need from the world and leave the rest alone. Living in this manner ("in the hands of the gods"), Leavers thrive in times of abundance and dwindle in times of scarcity. Takers on the other hand, well, take. Takers are people often referred to as "civilized." Takers produce enormous food surpluses, which allows them to thwart the gods when they decide it's the Takers' time to go hungry.
Ok…..I’m going off in a tangent here. The point I’m trying to make is that technology is evidence of our need for overconsumption as we constantly seek to upgrade and use up our resources. I feel that perhaps we should focus our technological efforts and spending on more important things like finding the cure for cancer, than on upgrading gadgets that make our go-go lifestyle easier.
(Another food for thought that is not entirely related to the thoughts above.)
Here is my question: Do I have to be into the iPhone, iTouch, e-book, Blackberry to be considered tech-savvy? Can I be up-to-date, “with the times”, “ahead of the curb”, if I myself do not practice getting into the hype of technology? For example, I’m so lame my OLD cell phone (I have to emphasis old because I caved in and bought a new ENV3 with my Verizon upgrade…only because I got an upgrade though) could only dial people the old-fashioned way and text with graphics that resembled that of the Ataris era. Which, honestly, I was ok with. I don’t really need an iPod on my phone when I already have an iPod (and have gone through about 5). Or the T-Mobile G1 that has instant access to Google when I have a computer in front of me about 90% of my lifetime.
So how behind the times am I? Well, as far as social media goes - yes, I use Facebook (I think I could be considered an early adopter in this mass social phenomena). Of course I used Myspace (before it took on its creepy, sketchy-like persona). LinkedIn? Check! Twitter? Check!
Ok, so am I a laggard? I sure as hell hope not because as a young professional I have a technologically-savvy, Gen-Y reputation to uphold.
According to the Innovation Adoption Curve I fall into the early to late majority categories:
Early Majority: Thoughtful people, careful but accepting change more quickly than the average.
Late Majority: Skeptic people, will use new ideas or products only when the majority is using it.
Technology, to me, is a double-edged sword. Of course technology has revolutionized every single aspect in our lives, whether it be in communication, health, research, transportation, etc but I also see it as a path to destruction. To me, it’s my “how can I live with out you?” to my “bane of my existence.” We, as a society, are so reliant on technology and we seek to eternally expand its advancement. But it’s certain types of technologies that get me…. gadgets per se. From refrigerators and washing machines that tell you “Good morning”, the time of day, and the temperature outside to cell phones telling you where you are, what your pet’s vet records are, and how to say, “Where is the bathroom?” in French.
Sometimes I just wonder, ‘is all of this necessary?’ When is enough enough? And, will we ever live a simplistic lifestyle ever again?
Now, I’m not trying to discount technology. Heck, my industry worships it. The advertising industry is constantly clawing and scratching just to keep up with technology. I’m just trying to take a step back here and reevaluate the impact technology is having on our planet and society as a whole. We are a society that is so fast-paced and on-the-go, and are constantly seeking the easiest ways to cut the corners of everyday life. I can’t help but fear that either we are on the path to laziness or just completely missing out on life’s simplicities. In simplicities I mean living a life with the absence of technology (i.e. visiting a friend, enjoying the outdoors without constantly talking or texting on the phone, or reading a paperback book instead of a digital on).
I’m all for advancements in finding the cure for diseases and determining more energy efficient usages. But where do our values lie? Apparently in cool gadgets like Amazon Kindle (For me, no thanks - I like to read without straining my eyes from trying to read teeny tiny typeface) and TomToms (Um MAPQUEST THAT SHIT! And yes I realize that Mapquest is just another facet of technology BUT there is one difference: Map quest is FREEEEE. Or are the little things called maps still available?).
I just can’t get that tiny voice of Dr. Mariea Hoy’s out of my head in Advertising Issues class as she pounded our heads with the issues of classical theory (people are innately intelligent enough to actively seek out information before making purchasing decisions) vs. neoclassical theory (people are easily persuaded by the influence of others - i.e. media, advertising – in making purchasing decisions). One of the discussions that most comes to mind is that of overconsumption. One of our readings commented that overconumption = the world’s apocalypse. Basically, in a nut shell, the world as we know it will end because we as human beings have completely exhausted all of our resources due to our need for overconsumption and will completely wipe out our entire race, all other existing species, and the environment. Ishamel, a novel written by Daniel Quinn speaks of a fundamental difference between two types of people: Leavers and Takers. The Leavers take what they need from the world and leave the rest alone. Living in this manner ("in the hands of the gods"), Leavers thrive in times of abundance and dwindle in times of scarcity. Takers on the other hand, well, take. Takers are people often referred to as "civilized." Takers produce enormous food surpluses, which allows them to thwart the gods when they decide it's the Takers' time to go hungry.
Ok…..I’m going off in a tangent here. The point I’m trying to make is that technology is evidence of our need for overconsumption as we constantly seek to upgrade and use up our resources. I feel that perhaps we should focus our technological efforts and spending on more important things like finding the cure for cancer, than on upgrading gadgets that make our go-go lifestyle easier.
(Another food for thought that is not entirely related to the thoughts above.)
Here is my question: Do I have to be into the iPhone, iTouch, e-book, Blackberry to be considered tech-savvy? Can I be up-to-date, “with the times”, “ahead of the curb”, if I myself do not practice getting into the hype of technology? For example, I’m so lame my OLD cell phone (I have to emphasis old because I caved in and bought a new ENV3 with my Verizon upgrade…only because I got an upgrade though) could only dial people the old-fashioned way and text with graphics that resembled that of the Ataris era. Which, honestly, I was ok with. I don’t really need an iPod on my phone when I already have an iPod (and have gone through about 5). Or the T-Mobile G1 that has instant access to Google when I have a computer in front of me about 90% of my lifetime.
So how behind the times am I? Well, as far as social media goes - yes, I use Facebook (I think I could be considered an early adopter in this mass social phenomena). Of course I used Myspace (before it took on its creepy, sketchy-like persona). LinkedIn? Check! Twitter? Check!
Ok, so am I a laggard? I sure as hell hope not because as a young professional I have a technologically-savvy, Gen-Y reputation to uphold.
According to the Innovation Adoption Curve I fall into the early to late majority categories:
Early Majority: Thoughtful people, careful but accepting change more quickly than the average.
Late Majority: Skeptic people, will use new ideas or products only when the majority is using it.
However, I have my own set of definitions. In my own Innovation Adoption Curve I am in the “I Don’t Really Care” to the “I Will Not Conform To Society” curve.
So does anybody else feel this way? Do you feel overconsumption and the need for new gadgets is destroying our society? Can you be cool, hip, and “with it”, if you don’t fall into the hype of new gadgets? DISCUSS….
