I believe that we are losing ourselves to the technological world. Technology has become something that we can hide behind. That we can either be ourselves or something totally different. If we want to be a blond cheerleader we can be that, even if we have brown hair and play in the marching band. The internet gives us this shield to hide behind. I believe that the virtual world can help us but it can also harm us. As I read culture jam, there was a passage that stuck out to me. It is on page 45, second paragraph. The paragraph talks about how the internet is affecting this woman in many ways. It says how her verbal skills are suffering because she is so used to typing them out. You see that everywhere now. I can sometimes see it even in myself where I am more comfortable texting someone rather than having to talk to them face to face. Even when I was in high school, I remember my English teacher giving back this kids paper and explaining to the class that you have to write out the whole word and just not use internet type.
It is even affecting the relationships that we build. I admit that I have some friends online that I may have only met once but that does not mean that they are not my friend. I honestly find it easier to tell them things then my own best friend. Our relationship lacks that physical bond that makes a friendship a real complete friendship. Since I don't have that bond with some of these people, I can tell them anything and I will never have to actually look them in the eye if they are upset or disappointed in me.
The problem with the internet and these virtual worlds is that they can become your whole life. You basically become addicted to them like you would be addicted to heroin or some other drug. I actually found a video that I found interesting: You can find it in my link section, it is the last link
This video shows just how far an addiction can go. This boy shot his family because they wouldn't let him play his game. The second man in the video even talks about what his addiction has cost him, including his job.
I enjoyed the link; thanks for adding it into the mix. I'm curious if psychologists are beginning to study the effects of technology on mental health, and whether or not the outcome of these studies will lead to a clinical diagnosis. Are our "virtual" and technological lives...killing us?
ReplyDeleteYour link makes you think that is for sure and how sad. It’s sad in my opinion that we created another thing in this world for people to get addicted to an end up in these situations. I think we had enough with alcohol and drugs. In more recent years sex addicts which I believe comes from the over sexing in the media. Not to mention smoking a long addiction for 100’s of years now. I worry too where this technology has taken us too. I’m an awful speller but a little spell check and I’m all good. Doesn’t help me when I go to write a note dose it? Where’s my computer then that wonderful technology? It’s interesting that you have developed friendship with people you only met one time but can form a bond tell them anything but not have to worry because you’ll never see them so you feel they can never judge you. Do you think since your conversations are more on a virtual time that’s why or that they care more or less?
ReplyDeleteI know that those friends care. It is just a different friendship than the ones I have at home. Honestly there is not one person in this world that doesn't have an online friend. There are some friends that I had from high school that I haven't seen since I graduated but I still talk to them on a weekly basis. That doesn't mean our friendships is any more or any less than the friends I see daily here at ship. I think that internet friends are less judgmental than friends you have face to face.
ReplyDeleteI think you are so right that most of us all have at least one person we only talk to via online it's the 21st cent right? :)I know a few people that don't but not many. I enjoy reading your post Kristen and hope you have a great week and feel better take lots of Vit C!!!
ReplyDeleteWow, I watched the video you posted and I can't ever imagine getting so addicted to something that I would shoot my own parents. I do believe that technology is taking over all of us. I see it in myself too, I was actually proud of myself today because instead of texting my friend to see if she wanted to go to the mall I actually called her and we ended up having a great conversation that wouldn't have happened over text.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, it is definitely easier to confess things to someone over a text than in person. But having to admit to your mistakes and look someone in the eye is what helps you to grow as a person and learn. Knowing you have to admit your mistake to someone and look them in the eye may help you to avoid the mistake in the first place.
ReplyDeleteI like your story about the kid in high school and his grammar. I remember one of my teachers having to say the same thing to our class in high school. Many people don't realize how quickly the lack of verbal interaction can affect your grammar and speech. I think it is important for people to stray away from too much technological communication
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