(a song for the occasion http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41P4jHWRYYQ)
Food for thought: Is it my imagination, or is the world literally in our hands? Advancements in technology allow us to do a multitude of things. It's changing our lives forever. It changed our lifestyle. Why go outside and talk to our neighbors when we can Skype someone across the country? Why go to the store when we can shop online? Why enjoy the place we're in with one person when we can do that and text five? Technology is redefining socialization and personalization. I'm not blaming it. I use it too. We need it. We have become dependent on these conveniences. It's pertinent to our everyday lives. It gives us directions, information, connections, entertainment, news, etc. Touching buttons or a touch screen keeps us "in touch". We have a sense of Identity Control with popular networking websites. Our simplistic existence have become a broadcast for all to see that we are here, and we have things on our minds... Oh! and we do things too! For most, popularity is no longer based on how many friends we have but how many "followers" we have or how many strangers over the internet we have acquired; and here I thought it was all about quality.
There is a new social etiquette on the rise. We must respond promptly since we have no excuse of not receiving a message when there are several different ways to send it and retrieve it. Emoticons and expressive typing provides voice and tone through these electronic devices. Our easily accessible lives can make and break relationships. Long distance relationships are a bit easier to maintain with our new communicative habits. However, it also gives rise to suspicion of infidelity and supplies a playground for gossip. Then we can use privacy settings and put people on lists. Problem solved. Then it all goes back to the basic issue of trust. Can we really say we trust a person if we are always "checking up on them"? Also, if people are interested in your love life, they will try to figure ways to find out... and there are plenty of technological resources they can use to satisfy their curiosity. Cyber stalkers can keep up to date with every update.
Becoming aware of this new era will hopefully let us reevaluate the impact we'll allow on our newfound addictions. Addictions to holding the world in the palm of our hands. Addictions to the feeling of being in control. It's no wonder why research is examining correlations with the rise in mental and personality disorders such as the common Obsessive Personality Disorder or the not so common Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Seeking perfection is only natural when submerged in an artificial environment that places high value on superficiality.
Artificial intelligence isn't getting enough credit. There is much more to these intellectual devices than developing this excessive nature. We can determine climate pressure on other planets. We can diffuse bombs from across the world. We can save lives. We can have a voice. We can use this for good. We have a voice... and a new voice so let's employ it! Be the opportunist that we know we are and take hold of this new era. Together we can set the tone on how we can evolve into a responsible and collective society. Let's stick to our originality and try to avoid the pitfalls of identity theft by trying to fit in the cyber world. If you notice, people seem more brave and harsh behind a keyboard than in person. Let's rid our conscious of what doesn't matter, and fill it with who we want to be and what we want to do. That's ultimately all that matters. Do you feel that? Suddenly, there's a weight lifted off our shoulders. What a feeling of liberation! Welcome to the new era! :)
Always, Lainey
©2011 all rights reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment