“In 1985 the General Social Survey (GSS) asked participants to number their “close friends.” Respondents were likely to claim three—often noting that these relationships were based in their neighborhood or local community. In 2006 the American Sociological Review published the survey’s most recent findings, which showed a three-fold increase over the past two decades in the number of Americans who didn’t have anyone with whom to discuss important matters. Specifically the GSS found that nearly one-quarter of the 1,500 participants claimed they had no confidants at all. Half acknowledged having two or fewer close friends.
Americans are in effect getting lonelier. In 1985 the best means we had to “reach out and touch someone” was the telephone. For all the advances in communications since then—cellular phones, the Internet, instant messaging, email, chat rooms, social networking sites—we now feel more isolated.”
—Lucas Conley, Obsessive Branding Disorder
I think this is a really interesting and quote, which is able to show the counterintuitive effects of our constantly connected world. However, as pointed out last night at the ABQ potluck, these disconnects must be viewed through the lens of an individual—on a micro-level. We have the power to change these interactions (or lack thereof) and on a macro-level technology is able to do many positive things for humanity and in general the world population’s quality of life.
I believe it is a very westernized view to decry technology (I admit I do it all the time—even last night) even as we are so dependent on it. However, looking at the greater picture we can see how technology and modernization has also allowed for many advances in the way humans are able to lead healthy and productive lives on more broad terms.
First questions is what does it mean to be human, then we can analyze how technology effects this definition. To us the central case of being human is being alive (ie breathing and heart beating). However, humans are different than animals, which also breath and have beating hearts. What separates us from animals could be our ability to reason, choose, and be self aware. However, Animals also could do these things. So what separates being human from other animals? After looking on line, many think what really separates us from animals is our larger brain and therefore, purported higher intelligence. An interesting paradox is that this higher intelligence is what created technology. Therefore, because technology furthers our capacity to learn and increases our knowledge base exponentially, technology does indeed enhance what it means to be human. I think therefore I am.
Since the beginning of civilized man, technology has played a crucial role in our physical and mental development. From the wheel to the internet, technology has always changed the lens through which we perceive the world. Technology is constantly changing what it means to be human. However, in this day and age, its rate has become exponential.
Technology, but more importantly the internet, is changing what it means to be human by compiling not only factual knowledge, but opinion, art, and just about every other facet of human culture in the same place. It’s essentially creating a digital collective consciousness that is not only growing at an exponential rate, but is become a bigger and bigger part of our lives. The important question to ask is if we can use it to its greatest potential without getting so wrapped up in it that we lose track of the difference between what’s real and what’s only virtual.
Thank you very much for this article interesting.
