Response to an article

Response to “ We Are Just Not Here Anymore” The Internet technology has become a major part of world globalization. As it continues to evolve, it provides more means of learning and connection among people around the world. On one hand, it has given a lot of benefits to aid in the development of every country. On the other hand, the Internet causes interruption to human activities because of the way people use it. In the article, “ We Are Just Not Here Anymore,” Linton Weeks discusses the negative effect of technology to human interaction. He argues that people are usually too engrossed with technology that they fail to focus on what is happening around them.
Everything in life has changed and continues to change. Technology now is a handy tool to connect people anywhere and anytime. However, along with the advantage is the disadvantage on the way people interact with those around them. People who use gadgets in different occasions connect with people who are far from them but they ignore those who are near them. They reach out for their gadgets to send or post photos and keep busy commenting on social networking sites yet do not give full attention to the one they are face-to-face with. The phenomenon is described as being present yet absent. Because of this, psychologists believe that technology is a considerable social disease that leads to isolation and lack of time and privacy.
Weeks introduces sound arguments about the effects of technology on society. He raises concern over the idea that technology creates self-division among people. Weeks mentions that the phenomenon is not totally new. According to him, in the 1960s, Firesign Theatre stated future predictions about how we are now; being in two places but neither present in both. Also, in 2002, Kenneth Gergen, a Swarthmore College professor, explored the emotional effects of being distracted by cellphones. The experiment showed that participants had a low level of attention. Another professor, named Sherry Turkle, wondered about people’s strange thoughts when being busy with technology. According to her, it is a natural human need for people to connect with the ones they care about but it is a human obligation to focus on their task at hand.
Weeks also cites an article by Dr. Kenneth Gergen who discovered that being some people actually become absent-minded in certain situations. emotions. ” e woestions how why peowho speiveunreasonable time on their devices yetand agive littlee ing on their personalractical lives. Weeks comments thatadds peoplsire to be more connected wselves. He states, ” A good deal of my focus in recent years has been on exploring how to use our digital tools differently,” he says, “…to connecnother and to sources of information in deeper and healthier ways.”(Weeks). He cleverly concludes with healthy communication ways among peoplebetween someone and peoplehe or she wish to be with.
Weeks succeeds in arguing about the negative impact of technology to human life. He effectively does this by citing research and professional views. Notably, he concludes that “ We have been erased by an absent presence.” (Weeks).
Despite the benefits that technology provides the world such as advanced connection means, it gradually clears out the good old ways of life. The advancement of technology changes the way people behave. For example, people used the phone mainly to speak with relatives, whereas now people prefer texting, which disallows expression of emotions. Also, social networking sites eat up a lot of time, thus parents have less time to attend to the needs of their children. Therefore, more than the advantages, the Internet technology presents more disadvantages to human society.
With all the advanced smartphones today, connecting with people who are far away has become easy. However, technology has caused a gap among those who are near as it captures and divides their attention, causing people to be absent minded. If people will not change the way they use technology, it will soon bring a more negative impact on society. Technology should be used appropriately to turn the negative impacts into positive ones, and people have to act on it now. People should realize that our former worries about the effects of media on youth are now being worsened by the Internet technology.
http://www. npr. org/blogs/theprotojournalist/2014/02/11/268876281/we-are-just-not-here-anymore
Response to “ We Are Just Not Here Anymore”
The Internet technology has become a major part of world globalization. As it continues to evolve, it provides more means of learning and connection among people around the world. On one hand, it has given a lot of benefits to aid in the development of every country. On the other hand, the Internet causes interruption to human activities because of the way people use it. In the article, “ We Are Just Not Here Anymore,” Linton Weeks discusses the negative effect of technology to human interaction. He argues that people are usually too engrossed with technology that they fail to focus on what is happening around them.
Everything in life has changed and continues to change. Technology now is a handy tool to connect people anywhere and anytime. However, along with the advantage is the disadvantage on the way people interact with those around them. People who use gadgets in different occasions connect with friends who are far from them but they ignore those who are near them. They reach out for their gadgets to send or post photos and keep busy commenting on social networking sites yet do not give full attention to the ones they are face-to-face with. The phenomenon is described as being present yet absent. Because of this, psychologists believe that technology is a considerable social disease that leads to isolation and lack of time and privacy.
Weeks introduces sound arguments about the effects of technology on society. He raises concern over the idea that technology creates self-division among people. Weeks mentions that the phenomenon is not totally new. According to him, in the 1960s, Firesign Theatre stated future predictions about how we are now; being in two places but neither present in both. Also, in 2002, Kenneth Gergen, a Swarthmore College professor, explored the emotional effects of being distracted by cellphones. The experiment showed that participants had a low level of attention. Another professor, named Sherry Turkle, wondered about people’s strange thoughts when being busy with technology. According to her, it is a natural human need for people to connect with the ones they care about but it is a human obligation to focus on their task at hand.
Weeks also cites an article by Dr. Kenneth Gergen who discovered that being some people actually become absent-minded in certain situations.. He questions how people spend excessive time on their devices yet give little time for their personal lives. Weeks comments that people should have a desire to be more connected with themselves. He states, ” A good deal of my focus in recent years has been on exploring how to use our digital tools differently…to connect us to one another and to sources of information in deeper and healthier ways”(Weeks). He cleverly concludes with healthy communication ways among people.
Weeks succeeds in arguing about the negative impact of technology to human life. He effectively does this by citing research and professional views. Notably, he concludes that “ We have been erased by an absent presence.” (Weeks). Despite the benefits that technology provides the world such as advanced connection means, it gradually clears out the good old ways of life. The advancement of technology changes the way people behave. For example, many used the phone mainly to speak with relatives, whereas now they prefer texting, which disallows expression of emotions. Also, social networking sites eat up a lot of time, thus parents have less time to attend to the needs of their children. Therefore, more than the advantages, the Internet technology presents more disadvantages to human society.
With all the advanced smartphones today, connecting with people who are far away has become easy. However, technology has caused a gap among those who are near as it captures and divides their attention, causing people to be absent minded. If people will not change the way they use technology, it will soon bring a more negative impact on society. Technology should be used appropriately to turn the negative impacts into positive ones, and people should act on it now. Everyone should realize that our former worries about the effects of media on youth are now being worsened by the Internet technology and gadgets like smartphones and tablets.
http://www. npr. org/blogs/theprotojournalist/2014/02/11/268876281/we-are-just-not-here-anymore
Work Cited
Weeks, Linton. “ We Are Just Not Here Anymore.” 11 February 2014. The Protojournalist. 27 Feb 2014. Web.
Works Cited
Kenneth J. Gergen, Interview by Linton Weeks. “ We Are Just Not Here Anymore.”
The Protojournalist. 27 Feb 2014. Web.