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

Fears

As each days goes by, new technological devices are created and are introduced to the general public. One device that are often getting introduced are Cell phones. Each time that a cellphone is released, the performance and capabilities are most likely more advanced than the previous ones.

Cellphones has made it easier for us to communicate with one and another. My fears are that the use of cellphones can get out of hands with new capabilities that are added, and that we become too attach to it(not that we aren't right now). Not only will it be counter productive to our work ethic, but it can feed on to our bad habits of cellphone usage.

I believe with the amount of information that we have access to through our cell phones, it's making us more busy than we need to be. According to a recent article from the NY times it states'

"The technology makes the tiniest windows of time entertaining, and potentially productive. But scientists point to an unanticipated side effect: when people keep their brains busy with digital input, they are forfeiting downtime that could allow them to better learn and remember information, or come up with new ideas."

With this in mind, should we limit ourselves from the usage of technology ?

"Digital Devices Deprive Brain of Needed Downtime." New York Times. 24 Aug. 2010. Web. 6 Sept. 2010. .