A Negative Effect of Technology:

Although technology has countless positive sides, lately i have been aware of the personal disconnect that having everything at our finger tips at all times can sometimes lead to. The biggest thing that comes to mind concerning this issue is the widespread use texting as a means for communication. In recent years the media, scholars, and government authorities have made it quite apparent that cell phone technology has had a drastic affect on the World as we know it. While many argue that the effect is quite beneficial, there is much evidence which would lead one to believe that negatives of cell phone use (specifically texting) significantly outweigh the positives. Nevertheless, as with any argument, it is best in this case to equally consider both sides.
Surely, there is plenty of evidence in support of texting, such as being a way to stay connected to friends and family, and as a way to stay in the loop while making plans and managing a busy schedule, but the thing that concerns me is its impact on social integration.
I feel that texting is becoming not a convenient addition to communication, but is now used as an alternative that is taking the place of verbal, and even face-to-face interaction. While it often seems beneficial as a time saving tool, it is creating a sense of disconnection between persons. Now, instead of having a true conversation with a friend in which you can express a lot through inflection and the like, one might instead just send a few texts and never delve deeper into their thoughts or emotions because the conversation it perpetually stuck on a superficial level. Another negative effect I see it having on people, is how it takes you from being a fully present person participating fully in life and conversation, to being "elsewhere" because mentally you're somewhere else while texting, and thus you're missing out on lifes' full expirience.
Overall, i am certain that people are slowly forgetting how to interact verbally, and be fully present, which is an incredibly detrimental thing to lose.

Cartoon: by Alex Gregory, Published in The New Yorker 8/2/2010, retrieved online from cartoon bank.com 9/5/10