I thought the analogy to modern times to Hamlet was drastic leap of thought: Hamlet was using a piece of technology to come to terms with information overload, and we have technology which gives us information overload; removing technology is how to come to terms with information overload. The mutual problem of information overload is in both cases, but it requires quite a bit more explaining which befuddles the reader and detracts from the argument. I'm sure that there is some better analogy that this guy could find, instead of forcing this example. An old and cool example is not necessarily a good example to use.
The article failed to persuade me its ideas. I probably could have written the same article; its just a book summary; no personal thought.
I agree with the author. While it is convenient to always be connected and do things on the go, it really takes us away from normal interaction with other people, and we start to ignore the things around us. For example, while on a tour in Boston, I found that I was checking my phone for Facebook updates more than I was looking around outside at the city. Also, I noticed that while I hung out with my friends in Boston, they were more focused on playing games or connecting with others on Facebook rather than talking in person to one another, even though we had not seen each other for a long time.
I definitely agree with the author that we're connected all the time. Recently I've felt more compelled to bring phone everywhere--even to my bed when I go to sleep. I find myself checking my phone a lot more often and though I believe that being connected is useful, it is unnecessary to be connected all the time. I've realized that I take out my phone whenever there isn't anything to do, and use it as a distraction. Hopefully I can take an "Internet Sabbath" as Powers does, but I feel as though it'll feel as though I'm disconnected from my friends.
I understand where Powers is coming from because we are becoming too engulfed in our electronic devices and aren't paying attention to the world around us. But at the same time because the world is progressing in this direction, we cannot disconnect ourselves from the mayhem. This would leave us hopelessly behind wondering what we missed during our technological slumber. Innovation is constant and we can only ignore the changes for so long. Taking a break for a few days may be practical but only some can do what Powers is doing. Spending every weekend disconnected from technology is too difficult because our week usually doesn't end on Friday. For that reason, I think it's definitely necessary to take a break from technology to make sure we don't forget our surroundings but we can't stray too far from the rest or we'll get left behind.
I like the way you mentioned that we cannot just ignore the presence of the technological advances, and "disconnect ourselves from the mayhem." Although it is alluring to always utilize and completely depend on our electronic devices, we must find a good balance between the two, underusing and overusing technology like you said.
I agree with William Power's that people these day's are spending too much time attached to their mobile devices and other gadgets instead of talking to each other. Although I do not see this happening as much as Power's does, I feel like it is still a problem. It does change the way people think. People state of mind has changed, they always need some source of information given to them. I like how he connected this phenomenon to such a small part of "Hamlet", and even titles his book based on this tiny amount of information about Hamlet. But I don't agree with him that we cannot leave this space. If someone really wanted to get away from all this internet and connectedness, they would be able too. It would take a lot of will power to convert, but it is definately possible. People are busier, but people can always go back to the normal way and talk to people whenever they want. Facebook and other things is just a way to connect to people better. Overall, these modern things just make things better.
I found this article interesting because of the way Powers viewed people of the 21st century. He describes people of the modern times as people who are constantly connected to technology and therefore, with each other, all the time. The main issues he sees that comes with the increase of technology and innovations of the digital world is the loss of appreciation for our surroundings and the loss of relationships from our over-connectedness."We don't have any gaps, any breaks in which to make sense of it; do something new, creative with it; enjoy it," Powers says. He also states that, the more people are connected with each other using technology, the less they are actually connected. However, I think that it isn't actually the opposite of connectedness, but rather the epitome of connectedness. Technology now allows us to use time in between to the fullest; a strong example of this is allowing us to talk to the people we want to without regards to distance or time. Power's opinions in his book, "Hamlet's Blackberry" was, in my opinion, reinforced by many of the current events surrounding us today and it also makes a lot of sense. However, I believe that organization and connectedness has not necessarily "been lost" because of technology, but rather improved upon by it.
This article is pretty accurate with what I see as well. I notice that whenever my family goes out to eat, as we wait for someone to seat and take our order, everyone pulls out their smartphones. What everyone is lookin at, I don't know. William Powers points out that although we are connected, we're still pretty disconnected. All of us our connected to information and, in a sense, only connected on the surface with people. When we're on our phones or behind a computer screen talking to someone, we lose that real life connection. People become more inclined to hide behind the interwebs instead of confront people face to face. It's kind of sad because even I notice this myself. It's so much easier to talk to someone when I don't have to do it face to face. Regardless, I could probably never pull off the "Internet Sabbath", just because I feel so attached to my phone. I check my phone all the time for notifications and it would bug me so much more if I couldn't see what someone texted me or what the notification is for. What if it was for something important, something urgent that cannot wait for an entire weekend? I would hate the feeling of being disconnected, just not knowing what was happening right now.
I agree with Powers in that we are too absorbed and obsessed with mobile devices and technology these days. The fact that some people cant go an hour without wanting their smartphones back or their iPads back shows just how attached we are to our technology and how dependent we are on them. I am guilty of this, I take my phone everywhere, and when I have nothing to do I mindlessly scroll through it looking for something to waste my time with. There are even apps for relaxation which shows that we need technology to even relax. The quote in the article that sums it up the best is "We’re always connected because we’re always connecting."
I thought it was very interesting that William Powers was able to compare our current relationship with technology to Hamlet. According to Powers, like Hamlet, we suffer from an information overload. Our day to day lives are filled with a plethora of information, some useful, but mostly things that we will not remember the next day. Being totally immersed in technology is harming us like it harmed Hamlet. So much external distractions may leave us confused and disconnected with the outside world. For the most part, I believe that Powers' analysis is true. Many people are too reliant on their devices and do not have enough willpower to "unplug." This leaves people glued to their device screens and does not encourage exploring other aspects of life. In a way, technology has become an addiction that many people cannot break out of, and to satisfy their addictions, people make many sacrifices.
In one aspect I agree with William Power that taking a break from technology has a positive effect. Sometimes I would also take these breaks by going outside without taking my smartphone so that I don't get distracted from the environment around me. But in another aspect, I feel that at this century, people cannot live without technology. Without technology, people has the potential to become inferior and at a very low advantage to people who do. For example, recently I found out the many good uses of Facebook. Facebook is a great place to ask questions and allow people to connect with each other and figure out problems in class. I feel like for people who don't have facebook, they miss out on a lot useful information.
William Powers makes many interesting conclusions. It's definitely not a new concept to question the prevalence of technology in our lives, which has consumed us to the point where many of us are glued to our cell phones, and turning off the interent requires struggle and active attention. I agree that technology may have taken over our lives, and while simpler times are often wistfully remembered, I don't think it is necessarily a bad thing. Like the article says, it is about balance. At the same time, however, modern technology may just be our future: it's different from the past, but isn't that just our own personal growth and change? The point I thought most provoking was actually this question: If we could go back, or get rid of all technology, would we? Would I? Would you? Is it better to be surrounded by technology, even if it consumes us, or live for eternity without it? Maybe progress is just progress, and this is the newest faction of it. So are we fighting the technology that has taken over--or are we fighting the newest version of our future?
I thought this was a very interesting article and I agree with some of William Power's ideas. In some ways, I differ from half of the population because I don't have a smartphone, but honestly, I wouldn't trade the phone I have now for a smartphone. I like that I'm not able to look something up on the internet everywhere I go. I agree that most relationships are harmed by the present day connection because I have noticed how unconnected people are when talking in person. However, I think that it actually enhances relationships with people that you cannot see everyday. For example, my relationships with my sisters have grown stronger because of facebook and skype because they have both moved away to college and I don't get to talk to them often if it weren't for the internet. I agree with Powers that it can be hard to escape this technology controlled society, but it has always been a necessity for me. I need time to myself where I can just relax and think. This has often been just sitting at the park reading or doing something althetic, but it has always been an integral part of growing up for me and I am trying my best to keep it that way.
After reading "Hamlet's Blackberry" by William Power, I feel myself entrapped with in the same circumstances. It can be safe to say that we did not change technology, technology changed us because technology has created a cyber world for us that allows us to be connected with our friends, our family, and even the world at the tip of our fingers. I think that the main reason why people feel the need to be connected is that we have an natural tendency to not feel left out and "out of the loop." People have this congenital trait to be sociable and well-liked and to do so they want to acquire as much knowledge regarding what is popular and desired. Although much of what we learn today may not be purely educational, it is nonetheless a piece of knowledge that teaches about what is happening somewhere at some point in time. The way I see it, one's need to stay connected is very closed tied with staying popular and sociable so that they can avoid feeling alienated.
I agree with Powers that we have too many electronic gadgets. I remember when I was younger when we went on car trips we would play games with each other to pass the time. But now when we go on trips we don’t talk and we bury ourselves in our cell phones. We can access our phones anywhere and it leads us to becoming connected with people on the internet and not the people in front of us. I don’t think that the problem is as bad as Powers thinks is it because it is in the early stages. So there is still a way to change what is happening.
"He is standing at a crosswalk in the middle of Manhattan, alongside five or eight other people — all of whom are staring intently at some digital device." I agree with Powers and Ervin's response. Nowadays when you're in the car with friends and its all quiet and shit, they just go on their phones and look through the web instead of trying to start a conversation or something. Its cool that you can do that but when I'm with people I want to make the most of it.
I agree that there are too many electronic devices that affect our lives. I like the comparison between today's society and Hamlet, because there is too much information that is overloaded in our life. Being able to connect with people is what is needed to move forward and the only way to do so is by talking to people in public and not online. It is extremely important to talk in public, so I believe that we need to stay off the web more often and stay connected with people in real life.
William Power's article was very easy for me to agree with. The abundance of technology and ways to communicate with others is definitely a benefit that is being abused. After reading that Power takes an "Internet Sabbath" every weekend, I began to think about if I can even manage the feat. I spend a lot of my day on the computer and it has became something that I do without actively thinking about using it. I wonder if many students can even manage the Internet Sabbath, since most Lynbrook students spend their brunch and lunch times texting and surfing the internet. If they can't even manage 45 minutes of being technology-free, can they manage the full 48 hours?
I agree with what the author says about how people are constantly on their phones. He says that most people around New York were glued to their phones even though there were so many things to see and hear. Most people, no matter where they are, tend to check their phones at least every five minutes. I recently read an article about how a man openly pulled out a gun in a train without anyone noticing. Everyone was too absorbed in texting, reading, or playing with their phones to notice him. The man was finally noticed after he shot a young man. If people weren’t too busy with their faces in their phones, his life could’ve been saved. This really made me re-think how important checking my Facebook notifications and emails are. I like what he says about how everyone is connected, yet unconnected. We are all connected to each other through technology while we’re constantly on Facebook, but we aren’t connecting in person or in “real life” which leaves us kind of disconnected to the rest of the world.
I agree with the author’s view that people today live vicariously through the internet and are too connected. For example, right before I go to bed I find it impossible not to check my phone for emails or what’s happening on facebook. I guess we all really do have need to “connect outward”. I especially agree with what Powers says about creating a balance between constantly connected and having time away from all of that. Even though it’s hard, I think we all need some time away from media and technology so we can really take some time to reflect and think.
I agree with the author's claim. In the world today, technology has advanced so much that almost anyone can be connected to the web. As a result, more and more people are getting connected, forgetting about their real lives while focusing on their virtual ones. I feel that this can be dangerous, in that such distraction can cause us to forget what life really is about. Powers's attempt to minimize this by taking an "internet sabbath" seems like a good idea, in that he could, at least momentarily, live life without being depending on electronic devices. I sometimes do this too, though more frequently and not as long. I usually take long walks, where I can escape the many distractions I have, thus giving me a chance to think without being constantly distracted by my surroundings.
I agree with the author's stance on how today, technology plays too big of a role in peoples' everyday lives, more than healthy. As I am writing this response, I have many tabs open, including Facebook and Gmail. I think that with all these advances in technology, people seriously need to think of a way to balance everyday life and become more connected there. The idea of an "internet sabbath" was quite intriguing though I think it would be very hard, because everything incorporates technology, and it plays a big part in school as well. One way I avoid technology is by playing sports, its an outlet for all of those distractions.
On Friday, I dropped my iPhone and the screen shattered. Needless to say, I was pretty upset and dreaded the prospect of having to replace the retina display for $120. Because my phone was at the repair shop, I experienced a full 24 hours without it. I hadn't been without a phone in years and it felt extremely odd to not be able to check my texts or send snapchats or view pictures on Facebook. I am extremely dependent on my phone, but mostly for communication reasons. I didn't like being "unplugged" because it made me feel left out and disconnected from the social sphere. What if my friends wanted to hang out and didn't have a method of contacting me? What if the email that I had been waiting for was sitting in my inbox, unchecked? In this fast-paced society, time is of the essence. We value efficiency and when we interact with others, we do so easily through technology. Powers contends that technology takes away from human interactions, but this is clearly not true. Technology helps spark connections, whether it entails a parent calling a child to check up on him or two old friends reconnecting over coffee after one of them comments on the other's photo on Facebook. I felt like Powers' analogy between technology and Hamlet's tables is far-fetched and strained. The simplistic technology of that time is incomparable to the advanced technology we have today. It seems that he tried to add a twist to a common topic of discussion (technology and its effect on social interaction) by somehow connecting it to a renowned piece of literature. However, I doubt his writing was persuasive and compelling enough for readers to find an association between the two drastically different concepts.
I agree with the author that we live in this "digital" world where electronics take over our lives. Even myself is like this. Whenever I walk around with family and friends, I look at my phone and see whats new on facebook and instagram, or even text people. I also agree that it does feel good to step away from these devices. It is like I have time for my surroundings and to soak in the environment around me. From the devices people from Hamlet's time has, to our current era, it is evident how much the ways we receive information changed over time.
I agree with the author that live in a world that is constantly surrounded by digital technology. Powers describes the current world as one in which individuals are too obsessed with their own phones and other devices, that they lose touch with what is going on in the real world around them. To some extent, I agree with the author's statement, as my family and I are perfect examples of such behavior. I have noticed that when we are waiting to be served at a restaurant or waiting in line, my family and I always have our phones out, chatting and connecting with people over smartphones while ignoring those who stand right next to us. Our behavior perfectly models that which Powers describes: one where we are connected yet disconnected at the same time. However, while Powers' statement is true, it also casts a negative shadow upon technology. I believe that though in some cases technology is taking away from the time we spend truly connecting with others and the world around us, if used responsibly, it can function as a tool from which new interactions and connections can be formed. I believe that technology has become a necessity, in both a positive and negative way, and will no doubt continue to shape and progress society.
I agree with the author, technology is basically our lives. We can't live with out technology. I remember one day i forgot to bring my phone to school and I just felt like my day was extremely off because i would keep reaching into my pocket for my phone to see if i got any texts, then i realized i didn't have it on me. Technology has taken over our lives in the 21st century. There are many people in the world that want to get the newest apple product, the newest gaming system, or the newest smart phone. We spend thousands of dollars getting the newest products even though we don't use it.
"We don't have any gaps, any breaks in which to make sense of it; do something new, creative with it; enjoy it," I agree with the author in the sense that we are just constantly flooded with information and don't even have time to process it. The connection to Hamlet really relates because a simple to do list is something that could really benefit a lot of people like myself who easily get distracted by such devices. I also agree with the fact that getting away from all the technology is hard, but has a definite positive effect to it and that people should be more aware of what is actually happening around them. These devices, positive or negative will continue to change our society in the future.
I do agree with William Power's that technology has taken over our lives. What is life without constantly checking our facebook or instagram every couple of minutes. I definitely believe that because of most people's access to smart phone technology, we have grown into looking through our phones constantly out of habit or boredom. I definitely agree that distancing yourself from technology would be hard since phones, tvs, gaming consoles, computers etc have kind of become a necessity. "Here I was in New York, the most fantastic city in the world — so much to look at, to see and hear, and everybody around me essentially wasn't present" The quote from this article reminds me of something Mr.Bale said about how he walked out on a date once because his date took her cellphone out. He was saying how when you're out with people, invest your time in them, and use your phone later. Because that really goes to show that in our kind of society, we are so drawn to our phones that we probably couldn't live without it for 24 hours.
William Power's words are brilliant. It is true that society today is very much dependant upon technology. However, though we feel more connected with the ease of all the technology, we are equally disconnected. Recently, I was watching a segment on a late night show where a man was talking about refraining from buying his daughter a cell phone. He claimed that it would dehumanize the way we interact and truly connect. By this, I think, technology makes it easier for us to "say" certain things, but we don't get a feel for our surrounding; the context, interactions and reactions of it all.
I agree with William Power's that technology has now become too much of an important factor in people's lives. While I believe that technology is very important, I don't think checking Facebook every 30 minutes is necessary. Many people would find it impossible to take an Internet Sabbath, because so many people rely on the internet even on the weekends, for their work, as well as staying connected with friends. Technology will continue to change and shape our society, and change our views on what we see as "acceptable".
I agree with Power's arguments in his essay. He states that technology is an important factor in people's lives. Most of the time we use the internet for its benefits and not its drawbacks, but we tend to move away from that and start using the internet for all the wrong reasons. Instead of researching our topic or doing homework, we check Facebook or other social networking sites. I think that taking an internet sabbath is impossible because we do homework on the internet(like right now), we have assignments posted on the internet. Everything is in front of us and we have the tools to learn from the internet, but we tend to forget that and use it for all the wrong reasons. The internet was a great invention and we should use it for the right reasons. Technology helps us in many different ways and we should recognize that.
I believe that the world today highly revolves around technology. I agree with Powers that technology has been thrilling and rewarding in many ways, but that it hinders our relationships with others. Even though we have so many ways to communicate now, sometimes it does feel like we get worse at interacting with people in real life. Nowadays, most people have smartphones and you can see many people using one while you're walking around at school, at the mall, in restaurants, anywhere. I admit that even I'm quite attached to my smartphone (and I'm probably not the only one). I feel that overuse of smartphones is bad for our social skills. For example, when one is bored within a group of people, one could just take out a smartphone rather than try to start a conversation with the other people around. However, technology is very beneficial too. It has also changed our learning experiences, because now a lot of teachers use it to help students learn (even now we are using the internet to be able to make these blog posts). Without technology, the world would definitely be a different place, and we'd probably all be screwed.
I think Powers makes a good observation that we are constantly connected to our technology but it isn't necessarily a bad thing, because it gives us miraculous capabilities. Yet, these capabilities to access information come at a cost; there is an overflow of information that damages relationships. "If we're constantly toggling between people on Facebook and texts and all these new ways of connecting all day long, and we never have a sustained connection... " What Powers describes is the ignorance created by the technological barriers, which hampers our abilities to have relationships with people. I think that it is important to recognize this and therefore help prevent it, because people become too absorbed in technology today to be able to really appreciate the little things in life.
His article in a nutshell is this; People are entirely addicted to gadgets and information dumps, and it is a both a blessing and curse, however, the solution (which is disconnecting) should be easy and should also feel good. In reality, almost everybody has their eyeballs practically glued to their phones/tablets, except for a select few. Because of this, there are no massive "irl" social interactions, and it is extremely hard to pull away from it all. Of course, there are exceptions to this case. However, I believe in a world where both lifestyles can be intertwined with each other, both the info-holics and the real-lifers. Take for example, a phone. It is completely fine to have facebook, gmail, sms, video-calling, snapchatting, and all of the sort installed. All you have to do is turn off the notifications and leave only the phone active for emergency situations. Not only does this not disturb you from your irl life, it also lets you control when and where you want to update yourself on the latest news or "social" news. There are also plenty of apps on the Android that allows for any one person to set certain times of the day where 3G or 4G is turned off. With such a massive world of people using their phones, it surprises me how this sense of connection is a must for people when there are people standing right next to each other, ready to initiate a more valuable conversation. In short, tech is wonderful and addicting, but there is no need to shut it all down; any person can keep tech present, that person just needs to learn how to "Just Say No."
Extra personal tidbit : I really love technology, whether it be the latest GPU or the latest Android Phone. If I had a smartphone, the amount of cool things I would do with it would be too plentiful for words. But even as a tech lover, I value social interactions more, and I am always willing to hit the sleep button on any of my gadgetries if my buddies decide to talk to me. A personal pet peeve of mine is when there is an amazing conversation being held, and then in the matter of minutes, everyone is on their phones. I mean, this is stuff you can do on your own time, do you have priority of one dumb notification over the attention of your friend? Ranting aside, I really liked this topic and I hope that we can discuss more deeply if we decide to.
My favorite question to ask myself, whether I am on Youtube or Facebook is, "Is waiting for this thing to load and then be mildly amused really worth my time?" If my response is no, then I pass. But if it is something that I KNOW is extremely entertaining or important, then I download the video or bookmark the link for later, when I dedicate 1 hour a day to using the internet for entertainment.
I thought this article was interesting because it focused on a very common modern issue. I've always known that people rely heavily on technology, but I really noticed how it overpowers our lives one day when I was hanging out with my friends and I realized that all we ever talked about, when we weren't staring into our phones, was the latest post on instagram, someone's status on facebook, or an article someone read online. I also believe that it's commonly accepted that without an iPhone (or any smartphone), you're "out of the loop". I like how Powers, while stating that we're too connected, doesn't suggest to completely eliminate technology. He notes that there are many valuable assets of technology and suggests that we take breaks from it rather than get rid of it completely. I think that this view would be accepted by most people of this era because most of us would find it impossible not to use technology what so ever, but would agree that it's beneficial to take some breaks from being "connected". I also found Powers' references to Hamlet and the ancient Roman philosopher Seneca interesting because they shows that people of any age have had difficulties dealing with information overload. However, while Hamlet used his smartphone-like device, a table, to eliminate his information overload, our smartphones cause information overload. Smart phones do have note applications which function similarly to Hamlet's table where we are able to write the tasks and notes of the day.
I definitely agree with Powers about how overly connected everybody is with the internet and their smartphones. We may seem more connected with our friends on facebook, but this makes us oblivious of the people around us. Recently, a story emerged about how people on caltrain didn't notice someone waving a gun around until he pulled the trigger because everybody was consumed by their personal smartphones and tablets. This event further points out how staying connected comes at the expense of disconnecting from our surroundings, even causing a death in this case. I think that the Internet Sabbath is a great idea that may help us curb the habit of always checking the our phones and computers for the latest news and updates. Based on personal experience, it's very refreshing to stay away from the internet for a couple days, but it's hard to not habitually turn on the computer every day when I get home.
I think Powers' argument in his essay is interesting and also very powerful. I agree with Powers in that people should have a balance between their electronics and the world around them. I think what everyone really wants is just to be connected - to be a part of something. However, as Powers said, if there's too much information coming in all at once, it can be overwhelming. Powers' comparison of today's technology overload with Hamlet was extremely clever to me - I would've never thought of that analogy myself!
The article was quite fun to read. I agree how people of the 21st century spend way too much time on their cell phones, etc. I think by being "into" the digital world there has indeed been a loss of appreciation. However, I believe that technology improved connectedness. Taking a break from technology is definitely a breather, and is very healthy! With will power, and motivation I think it is quite easy to take a break from technology. It is good to have balance. Concerning relationships I think technology hurts and helps relationships. I have seen people on their phones while being with other people, etc. However long-distance relationships with friends, family, or a significant other, technology really helps the relationships. I agree with eugenies statement as well. His comparison of todays technology with Hamlet was clever!
I think Powers sums everything up in this article. Technology and gadgets do take over our lives. People are constantly reaching for their pockets searching for their phone or social device. In my opinion many people are not able to interact with people because they don’t have the social skills to do so. They only know how to text and email someone and not go up to an individual and have a normal conversation. “The more connected we are, the more we depend on the world outside ourselves to tell us how to think and live”. Powers is correct. Today most people are going on the internet to look up different ways to live their life. They are making decisions off of other people’s opinions and not their own. I also agree with Powers when he says, “a lot of us are feeling tapped out, hungry for some time away from the crowd. Life in the digital room would be saner and more fulfilling if we knew how to leave it now and then.” People do get away from their life by going into a virtual world where they can control what they do. I would say this mostly comes in video games. A lot of people play virtual video games such as GTA or Sims, where the player can have their own virtual life. It’s just a way for people to get away from the real world and escape to the virtual internet world.
With the world at our fingertips, Powers does make a strong argument. I agree that the world is over connected to social media sites such as facebook and twitter. However, is this necessarily a bad thing? I don't think so. Social interactions are still present,but are now presented through a different medium. People are not bound by their surroundings and meet others who are interested in their hobbies and passions from even across the world. I believe that in this technological world, being over connected might not be so bad, but just a part of evolution or adaption. As people begin to find faster and better ways to communicate and strive forward, others are frightened by this change and push back. The Luddite perspective must be overcome to keep up with a world that is being shaped by globalization. As people begin to get social cues from the Internet rather than day to day life, technology's presence is noticed. In conclusion, I believe that Power's makes a good point on the importance of balance, although what constitutes a perfect balance is still to obscure to tell. We can only gain a full perspective of this situation as time proceeds. Cool Article though!
I agree with Powers that everyone is connected via technology and although that may not be a bad thing, people shouldn't let their lives revolve around their smartphones. Because of the efficiency of people's phones, and the ability to do almost anything on those devices, people lose a sustainable connection with each other. Communication nowadays is mainly in the form of texting or commenting on facebook posts or twitter. However, although having smartphones can facilitate our lives, the relationships we have with each other should still be maintained through conversations face to face. Completely isolating yourself from a device is unnecessary though, but balance should be kept in order to maintain a sustained connection.
I think it is interesting how Powers chooses such a controversial topic that is classic yet innovative. In our modern days, whether technological improvement is good or not is a very popular classic subject of debate. The article is also thought-provoking in a sense that it draws the reader to realize that the majority of the things we had manually completed by ourselves is now completed with the help of technology. For example, instead of manually labeling the numbers by ourselves in Word, the computer labels for us. However, we are still completing everyday tasks by ourselves, just with the help of technological devices that facilitate completing our tasks. For example, while "Hamlet reaches into his pocket and pulls out his 'tables'" to take notes of his expression in the late 16th century, we would do the same in the 21st centuryć¼the only difference being our using of tablets or phones. Overall, this article made me rethink the role technology plays in our lives and wonder if technology will take over humans one day...
I thought the analogy to modern times to Hamlet was drastic leap of thought: Hamlet was using a piece of technology to come to terms with information overload, and we have technology which gives us information overload; removing technology is how to come to terms with information overload. The mutual problem of information overload is in both cases, but it requires quite a bit more explaining which befuddles the reader and detracts from the argument.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that there is some better analogy that this guy could find, instead of forcing this example. An old and cool example is not necessarily a good example to use.
The article failed to persuade me its ideas. I probably could have written the same article; its just a book summary; no personal thought.
I agree with the author. While it is convenient to always be connected and do things on the go, it really takes us away from normal interaction with other people, and we start to ignore the things around us. For example, while on a tour in Boston, I found that I was checking my phone for Facebook updates more than I was looking around outside at the city. Also, I noticed that while I hung out with my friends in Boston, they were more focused on playing games or connecting with others on Facebook rather than talking in person to one another, even though we had not seen each other for a long time.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with the author that we're connected all the time. Recently I've felt more compelled to bring phone everywhere--even to my bed when I go to sleep. I find myself checking my phone a lot more often and though I believe that being connected is useful, it is unnecessary to be connected all the time. I've realized that I take out my phone whenever there isn't anything to do, and use it as a distraction. Hopefully I can take an "Internet Sabbath" as Powers does, but I feel as though it'll feel as though I'm disconnected from my friends.
ReplyDeleteI understand where Powers is coming from because we are becoming too engulfed in our electronic devices and aren't paying attention to the world around us. But at the same time because the world is progressing in this direction, we cannot disconnect ourselves from the mayhem. This would leave us hopelessly behind wondering what we missed during our technological slumber. Innovation is constant and we can only ignore the changes for so long. Taking a break for a few days may be practical but only some can do what Powers is doing. Spending every weekend disconnected from technology is too difficult because our week usually doesn't end on Friday. For that reason, I think it's definitely necessary to take a break from technology to make sure we don't forget our surroundings but we can't stray too far from the rest or we'll get left behind.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you mentioned that we cannot just ignore the presence of the technological advances, and "disconnect ourselves from the mayhem." Although it is alluring to always utilize and completely depend on our electronic devices, we must find a good balance between the two, underusing and overusing technology like you said.
DeleteI agree with William Power's that people these day's are spending too much time attached to their mobile devices and other gadgets instead of talking to each other. Although I do not see this happening as much as Power's does, I feel like it is still a problem. It does change the way people think. People state of mind has changed, they always need some source of information given to them. I like how he connected this phenomenon to such a small part of "Hamlet", and even titles his book based on this tiny amount of information about Hamlet. But I don't agree with him that we cannot leave this space. If someone really wanted to get away from all this internet and connectedness, they would be able too. It would take a lot of will power to convert, but it is definately possible. People are busier, but people can always go back to the normal way and talk to people whenever they want. Facebook and other things is just a way to connect to people better. Overall, these modern things just make things better.
ReplyDeleteI found this article interesting because of the way Powers viewed people of the 21st century. He describes people of the modern times as people who are constantly connected to technology and therefore, with each other, all the time. The main issues he sees that comes with the increase of technology and innovations of the digital world is the loss of appreciation for our surroundings and the loss of relationships from our over-connectedness."We don't have any gaps, any breaks in which to make sense of it; do something new, creative with it; enjoy it," Powers says. He also states that, the more people are connected with each other using technology, the less they are actually connected. However, I think that it isn't actually the opposite of connectedness, but rather the epitome of connectedness. Technology now allows us to use time in between to the fullest; a strong example of this is allowing us to talk to the people we want to without regards to distance or time. Power's opinions in his book, "Hamlet's Blackberry" was, in my opinion, reinforced by many of the current events surrounding us today and it also makes a lot of sense. However, I believe that organization and connectedness has not necessarily "been lost" because of technology, but rather improved upon by it.
ReplyDeleteThis article is pretty accurate with what I see as well. I notice that whenever my family goes out to eat, as we wait for someone to seat and take our order, everyone pulls out their smartphones. What everyone is lookin at, I don't know. William Powers points out that although we are connected, we're still pretty disconnected. All of us our connected to information and, in a sense, only connected on the surface with people. When we're on our phones or behind a computer screen talking to someone, we lose that real life connection. People become more inclined to hide behind the interwebs instead of confront people face to face. It's kind of sad because even I notice this myself. It's so much easier to talk to someone when I don't have to do it face to face. Regardless, I could probably never pull off the "Internet Sabbath", just because I feel so attached to my phone. I check my phone all the time for notifications and it would bug me so much more if I couldn't see what someone texted me or what the notification is for. What if it was for something important, something urgent that cannot wait for an entire weekend? I would hate the feeling of being disconnected, just not knowing what was happening right now.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Powers in that we are too absorbed and obsessed with mobile devices and technology these days. The fact that some people cant go an hour without wanting their smartphones back or their iPads back shows just how attached we are to our technology and how dependent we are on them. I am guilty of this, I take my phone everywhere, and when I have nothing to do I mindlessly scroll through it looking for something to waste my time with. There are even apps for relaxation which shows that we need technology to even relax. The quote in the article that sums it up the best is "We’re always connected because we’re always connecting."
ReplyDeleteI thought it was very interesting that William Powers was able to compare our current relationship with technology to Hamlet. According to Powers, like Hamlet, we suffer from an information overload. Our day to day lives are filled with a plethora of information, some useful, but mostly things that we will not remember the next day. Being totally immersed in technology is harming us like it harmed Hamlet. So much external distractions may leave us confused and disconnected with the outside world. For the most part, I believe that Powers' analysis is true. Many people are too reliant on their devices and do not have enough willpower to "unplug." This leaves people glued to their device screens and does not encourage exploring other aspects of life. In a way, technology has become an addiction that many people cannot break out of, and to satisfy their addictions, people make many sacrifices.
ReplyDeleteIn one aspect I agree with William Power that taking a break from technology has a positive effect. Sometimes I would also take these breaks by going outside without taking my smartphone so that I don't get distracted from the environment around me. But in another aspect, I feel that at this century, people cannot live without technology. Without technology, people has the potential to become inferior and at a very low advantage to people who do. For example, recently I found out the many good uses of Facebook. Facebook is a great place to ask questions and allow people to connect with each other and figure out problems in class. I feel like for people who don't have facebook, they miss out on a lot useful information.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Powers makes many interesting conclusions. It's definitely not a new concept to question the prevalence of technology in our lives, which has consumed us to the point where many of us are glued to our cell phones, and turning off the interent requires struggle and active attention. I agree that technology may have taken over our lives, and while simpler times are often wistfully remembered, I don't think it is necessarily a bad thing. Like the article says, it is about balance. At the same time, however, modern technology may just be our future: it's different from the past, but isn't that just our own personal growth and change? The point I thought most provoking was actually this question: If we could go back, or get rid of all technology, would we? Would I? Would you? Is it better to be surrounded by technology, even if it consumes us, or live for eternity without it? Maybe progress is just progress, and this is the newest faction of it. So are we fighting the technology that has taken over--or are we fighting the newest version of our future?
ReplyDeleteI thought this was a very interesting article and I agree with some of William Power's ideas. In some ways, I differ from half of the population because I don't have a smartphone, but honestly, I wouldn't trade the phone I have now for a smartphone. I like that I'm not able to look something up on the internet everywhere I go. I agree that most relationships are harmed by the present day connection because I have noticed how unconnected people are when talking in person. However, I think that it actually enhances relationships with people that you cannot see everyday. For example, my relationships with my sisters have grown stronger because of facebook and skype because they have both moved away to college and I don't get to talk to them often if it weren't for the internet. I agree with Powers that it can be hard to escape this technology controlled society, but it has always been a necessity for me. I need time to myself where I can just relax and think. This has often been just sitting at the park reading or doing something althetic, but it has always been an integral part of growing up for me and I am trying my best to keep it that way.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading "Hamlet's Blackberry" by William Power, I feel myself entrapped with in the same circumstances. It can be safe to say that we did not change technology, technology changed us because technology has created a cyber world for us that allows us to be connected with our friends, our family, and even the world at the tip of our fingers. I think that the main reason why people feel the need to be connected is that we have an natural tendency to not feel left out and "out of the loop." People have this congenital trait to be sociable and well-liked and to do so they want to acquire as much knowledge regarding what is popular and desired. Although much of what we learn today may not be purely educational, it is nonetheless a piece of knowledge that teaches about what is happening somewhere at some point in time. The way I see it, one's need to stay connected is very closed tied with staying popular and sociable so that they can avoid feeling alienated.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Powers that we have too many electronic gadgets. I remember when I was younger when we went on car trips we would play games with each other to pass the time. But now when we go on trips we don’t talk and we bury ourselves in our cell phones. We can access our phones anywhere and it leads us to becoming connected with people on the internet and not the people in front of us. I don’t think that the problem is as bad as Powers thinks is it because it is in the early stages. So there is still a way to change what is happening.
ReplyDelete"He is standing at a crosswalk in the middle of Manhattan, alongside five or eight other people — all of whom are staring intently at some digital device." I agree with Powers and Ervin's response. Nowadays when you're in the car with friends and its all quiet and shit, they just go on their phones and look through the web instead of trying to start a conversation or something. Its cool that you can do that but when I'm with people I want to make the most of it.
ReplyDeleteI agree that there are too many electronic devices that affect our lives. I like the comparison between today's society and Hamlet, because there is too much information that is overloaded in our life. Being able to connect with people is what is needed to move forward and the only way to do so is by talking to people in public and not online. It is extremely important to talk in public, so I believe that we need to stay off the web more often and stay connected with people in real life.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Power's article was very easy for me to agree with. The abundance of technology and ways to communicate with others is definitely a benefit that is being abused. After reading that Power takes an "Internet Sabbath" every weekend, I began to think about if I can even manage the feat. I spend a lot of my day on the computer and it has became something that I do without actively thinking about using it. I wonder if many students can even manage the Internet Sabbath, since most Lynbrook students spend their brunch and lunch times texting and surfing the internet. If they can't even manage 45 minutes of being technology-free, can they manage the full 48 hours?
ReplyDeleteJonathan Sun
I agree with what the author says about how people are constantly on their phones. He says that most people around New York were glued to their phones even though there were so many things to see and hear. Most people, no matter where they are, tend to check their phones at least every five minutes. I recently read an article about how a man openly pulled out a gun in a train without anyone noticing. Everyone was too absorbed in texting, reading, or playing with their phones to notice him. The man was finally noticed after he shot a young man. If people weren’t too busy with their faces in their phones, his life could’ve been saved. This really made me re-think how important checking my Facebook notifications and emails are. I like what he says about how everyone is connected, yet unconnected. We are all connected to each other through technology while we’re constantly on Facebook, but we aren’t connecting in person or in “real life” which leaves us kind of disconnected to the rest of the world.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the author’s view that people today live vicariously through the internet and are too connected. For example, right before I go to bed I find it impossible not to check my phone for emails or what’s happening on facebook. I guess we all really do have need to “connect outward”. I especially agree with what Powers says about creating a balance between constantly connected and having time away from all of that. Even though it’s hard, I think we all need some time away from media and technology so we can really take some time to reflect and think.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the author's claim. In the world today, technology has advanced so much that almost anyone can be connected to the web. As a result, more and more people are getting connected, forgetting about their real lives while focusing on their virtual ones. I feel that this can be dangerous, in that such distraction can cause us to forget what life really is about. Powers's attempt to minimize this by taking an "internet sabbath" seems like a good idea, in that he could, at least momentarily, live life without being depending on electronic devices. I sometimes do this too, though more frequently and not as long. I usually take long walks, where I can escape the many distractions I have, thus giving me a chance to think without being constantly distracted by my surroundings.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the author's stance on how today, technology plays too big of a role in peoples' everyday lives, more than healthy. As I am writing this response, I have many tabs open, including Facebook and Gmail. I think that with all these advances in technology, people seriously need to think of a way to balance everyday life and become more connected there. The idea of an "internet sabbath" was quite intriguing though I think it would be very hard, because everything incorporates technology, and it plays a big part in school as well. One way I avoid technology is by playing sports, its an outlet for all of those distractions.
ReplyDeleteOn Friday, I dropped my iPhone and the screen shattered. Needless to say, I was pretty upset and dreaded the prospect of having to replace the retina display for $120. Because my phone was at the repair shop, I experienced a full 24 hours without it. I hadn't been without a phone in years and it felt extremely odd to not be able to check my texts or send snapchats or view pictures on Facebook. I am extremely dependent on my phone, but mostly for communication reasons. I didn't like being "unplugged" because it made me feel left out and disconnected from the social sphere. What if my friends wanted to hang out and didn't have a method of contacting me? What if the email that I had been waiting for was sitting in my inbox, unchecked? In this fast-paced society, time is of the essence. We value efficiency and when we interact with others, we do so easily through technology. Powers contends that technology takes away from human interactions, but this is clearly not true. Technology helps spark connections, whether it entails a parent calling a child to check up on him or two old friends reconnecting over coffee after one of them comments on the other's photo on Facebook. I felt like Powers' analogy between technology and Hamlet's tables is far-fetched and strained. The simplistic technology of that time is incomparable to the advanced technology we have today. It seems that he tried to add a twist to a common topic of discussion (technology and its effect on social interaction) by somehow connecting it to a renowned piece of literature. However, I doubt his writing was persuasive and compelling enough for readers to find an association between the two drastically different concepts.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the author that we live in this "digital" world where electronics take over our lives. Even myself is like this. Whenever I walk around with family and friends, I look at my phone and see whats new on facebook and instagram, or even text people. I also agree that it does feel good to step away from these devices. It is like I have time for my surroundings and to soak in the environment around me. From the devices people from Hamlet's time has, to our current era, it is evident how much the ways we receive information changed over time.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the author that live in a world that is constantly surrounded by digital technology. Powers describes the current world as one in which individuals are too obsessed with their own phones and other devices, that they lose touch with what is going on in the real world around them. To some extent, I agree with the author's statement, as my family and I are perfect examples of such behavior. I have noticed that when we are waiting to be served at a restaurant or waiting in line, my family and I always have our phones out, chatting and connecting with people over smartphones while ignoring those who stand right next to us. Our behavior perfectly models that which Powers describes: one where we are connected yet disconnected at the same time. However, while Powers' statement is true, it also casts a negative shadow upon technology. I believe that though in some cases technology is taking away from the time we spend truly connecting with others and the world around us, if used responsibly, it can function as a tool from which new interactions and connections can be formed. I believe that technology has become a necessity, in both a positive and negative way, and will no doubt continue to shape and progress society.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the author, technology is basically our lives. We can't live with out technology. I remember one day i forgot to bring my phone to school and I just felt like my day was extremely off because i would keep reaching into my pocket for my phone to see if i got any texts, then i realized i didn't have it on me. Technology has taken over our lives in the 21st century. There are many people in the world that want to get the newest apple product, the newest gaming system, or the newest smart phone. We spend thousands of dollars getting the newest products even though we don't use it.
ReplyDelete"We don't have any gaps, any breaks in which to make sense of it; do something new, creative with it; enjoy it," I agree with the author in the sense that we are just constantly flooded with information and don't even have time to process it. The connection to Hamlet really relates because a simple to do list is something that could really benefit a lot of people like myself who easily get distracted by such devices. I also agree with the fact that getting away from all the technology is hard, but has a definite positive effect to it and that people should be more aware of what is actually happening around them. These devices, positive or negative will continue to change our society in the future.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with William Power's that technology has taken over our lives. What is life without constantly checking our facebook or instagram every couple of minutes. I definitely believe that because of most people's access to smart phone technology, we have grown into looking through our phones constantly out of habit or boredom. I definitely agree that distancing yourself from technology would be hard since phones, tvs, gaming consoles, computers etc have kind of become a necessity. "Here I was in New York, the most fantastic city in the world — so much to look at, to see and hear, and everybody around me essentially wasn't present" The quote from this article reminds me of something Mr.Bale said about how he walked out on a date once because his date took her cellphone out. He was saying how when you're out with people, invest your time in them, and use your phone later. Because that really goes to show that in our kind of society, we are so drawn to our phones that we probably couldn't live without it for 24 hours.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Power's words are brilliant. It is true that society today is very much dependant upon technology. However, though we feel more connected with the ease of all the technology, we are equally disconnected. Recently, I was watching a segment on a late night show where a man was talking about refraining from buying his daughter a cell phone. He claimed that it would dehumanize the way we interact and truly connect. By this, I think, technology makes it easier for us to "say" certain things, but we don't get a feel for our surrounding; the context, interactions and reactions of it all.
ReplyDeleteI agree with William Power's that technology has now become too much of an important factor in people's lives. While I believe that technology is very important, I don't think checking Facebook every 30 minutes is necessary. Many people would find it impossible to take an Internet Sabbath, because so many people rely on the internet even on the weekends, for their work, as well as staying connected with friends. Technology will continue to change and shape our society, and change our views on what we see as "acceptable".
ReplyDeleteI agree with Power's arguments in his essay. He states that technology is an important factor in people's lives. Most of the time we use the internet for its benefits and not its drawbacks, but we tend to move away from that and start using the internet for all the wrong reasons. Instead of researching our topic or doing homework, we check Facebook or other social networking sites. I think that taking an internet sabbath is impossible because we do homework on the internet(like right now), we have assignments posted on the internet. Everything is in front of us and we have the tools to learn from the internet, but we tend to forget that and use it for all the wrong reasons. The internet was a great invention and we should use it for the right reasons. Technology helps us in many different ways and we should recognize that.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the world today highly revolves around technology. I agree with Powers that technology has been thrilling and rewarding in many ways, but that it hinders our relationships with others. Even though we have so many ways to communicate now, sometimes it does feel like we get worse at interacting with people in real life. Nowadays, most people have smartphones and you can see many people using one while you're walking around at school, at the mall, in restaurants, anywhere. I admit that even I'm quite attached to my smartphone (and I'm probably not the only one). I feel that overuse of smartphones is bad for our social skills. For example, when one is bored within a group of people, one could just take out a smartphone rather than try to start a conversation with the other people around.
ReplyDeleteHowever, technology is very beneficial too. It has also changed our learning experiences, because now a lot of teachers use it to help students learn (even now we are using the internet to be able to make these blog posts). Without technology, the world would definitely be a different place, and we'd probably all be screwed.
I think Powers makes a good observation that we are constantly connected to our technology but it isn't necessarily a bad thing, because it gives us miraculous capabilities. Yet, these capabilities to access information come at a cost; there is an overflow of information that damages relationships. "If we're constantly toggling between people on Facebook and texts and all these new ways of connecting all day long, and we never have a sustained connection... " What Powers describes is the ignorance created by the technological barriers, which hampers our abilities to have relationships with people. I think that it is important to recognize this and therefore help prevent it, because people become too absorbed in technology today to be able to really appreciate the little things in life.
ReplyDeleteHis article in a nutshell is this; People are entirely addicted to gadgets and information dumps, and it is a both a blessing and curse, however, the solution (which is disconnecting) should be easy and should also feel good. In reality, almost everybody has their eyeballs practically glued to their phones/tablets, except for a select few. Because of this, there are no massive "irl" social interactions, and it is extremely hard to pull away from it all. Of course, there are exceptions to this case. However, I believe in a world where both lifestyles can be intertwined with each other, both the info-holics and the real-lifers. Take for example, a phone. It is completely fine to have facebook, gmail, sms, video-calling, snapchatting, and all of the sort installed. All you have to do is turn off the notifications and leave only the phone active for emergency situations. Not only does this not disturb you from your irl life, it also lets you control when and where you want to update yourself on the latest news or "social" news. There are also plenty of apps on the Android that allows for any one person to set certain times of the day where 3G or 4G is turned off. With such a massive world of people using their phones, it surprises me how this sense of connection is a must for people when there are people standing right next to each other, ready to initiate a more valuable conversation. In short, tech is wonderful and addicting, but there is no need to shut it all down; any person can keep tech present, that person just needs to learn how to "Just Say No."
ReplyDeleteExtra personal tidbit : I really love technology, whether it be the latest GPU or the latest Android Phone. If I had a smartphone, the amount of cool things I would do with it would be too plentiful for words. But even as a tech lover, I value social interactions more, and I am always willing to hit the sleep button on any of my gadgetries if my buddies decide to talk to me. A personal pet peeve of mine is when there is an amazing conversation being held, and then in the matter of minutes, everyone is on their phones. I mean, this is stuff you can do on your own time, do you have priority of one dumb notification over the attention of your friend? Ranting aside, I really liked this topic and I hope that we can discuss more deeply if we decide to.
DeleteMy favorite question to ask myself, whether I am on Youtube or Facebook is, "Is waiting for this thing to load and then be mildly amused really worth my time?" If my response is no, then I pass. But if it is something that I KNOW is extremely entertaining or important, then I download the video or bookmark the link for later, when I dedicate 1 hour a day to using the internet for entertainment.
DeleteI thought this article was interesting because it focused on a very common modern issue. I've always known that people rely heavily on technology, but I really noticed how it overpowers our lives one day when I was hanging out with my friends and I realized that all we ever talked about, when we weren't staring into our phones, was the latest post on instagram, someone's status on facebook, or an article someone read online. I also believe that it's commonly accepted that without an iPhone (or any smartphone), you're "out of the loop". I like how Powers, while stating that we're too connected, doesn't suggest to completely eliminate technology. He notes that there are many valuable assets of technology and suggests that we take breaks from it rather than get rid of it completely. I think that this view would be accepted by most people of this era because most of us would find it impossible not to use technology what so ever, but would agree that it's beneficial to take some breaks from being "connected".
ReplyDeleteI also found Powers' references to Hamlet and the ancient Roman philosopher Seneca interesting because they shows that people of any age have had difficulties dealing with information overload. However, while Hamlet used his smartphone-like device, a table, to eliminate his information overload, our smartphones cause information overload. Smart phones do have note applications which function similarly to Hamlet's table where we are able to write the tasks and notes of the day.
I definitely agree with Powers about how overly connected everybody is with the internet and their smartphones. We may seem more connected with our friends on facebook, but this makes us oblivious of the people around us. Recently, a story emerged about how people on caltrain didn't notice someone waving a gun around until he pulled the trigger because everybody was consumed by their personal smartphones and tablets. This event further points out how staying connected comes at the expense of disconnecting from our surroundings, even causing a death in this case. I think that the Internet Sabbath is a great idea that may help us curb the habit of always checking the our phones and computers for the latest news and updates. Based on personal experience, it's very refreshing to stay away from the internet for a couple days, but it's hard to not habitually turn on the computer every day when I get home.
ReplyDeleteI think Powers' argument in his essay is interesting and also very powerful. I agree with Powers in that people should have a balance between their electronics and the world around them. I think what everyone really wants is just to be connected - to be a part of something. However, as Powers said, if there's too much information coming in all at once, it can be overwhelming. Powers' comparison of today's technology overload with Hamlet was extremely clever to me - I would've never thought of that analogy myself!
ReplyDeleteThe article was quite fun to read. I agree how people of the 21st century spend way too much time on their cell phones, etc. I think by being "into" the digital world there has indeed been a loss of appreciation. However, I believe that technology improved connectedness. Taking a break from technology is definitely a breather, and is very healthy! With will power, and motivation I think it is quite easy to take a break from technology. It is good to have balance. Concerning relationships I think technology hurts and helps relationships. I have seen people on their phones while being with other people, etc. However long-distance relationships with friends, family, or a significant other, technology really helps the relationships. I agree with eugenies statement as well. His comparison of todays technology with Hamlet was clever!
ReplyDeleteI think Powers sums everything up in this article. Technology and gadgets do take over our lives. People are constantly reaching for their pockets searching for their phone or social device. In my opinion many people are not able to interact with people because they don’t have the social skills to do so. They only know how to text and email someone and not go up to an individual and have a normal conversation. “The more connected we are, the more we depend on the world outside ourselves to tell us how to think and live”. Powers is correct. Today most people are going on the internet to look up different ways to live their life. They are making decisions off of other people’s opinions and not their own. I also agree with Powers when he says, “a lot of us are feeling tapped out, hungry for some time away from the crowd. Life in the digital room would be saner and more fulfilling if we knew how to leave it now and then.” People do get away from their life by going into a virtual world where they can control what they do. I would say this mostly comes in video games. A lot of people play virtual video games such as GTA or Sims, where the player can have their own virtual life. It’s just a way for people to get away from the real world and escape to the virtual internet world.
ReplyDeleteWith the world at our fingertips, Powers does make a strong argument. I agree that the world is over connected to social media sites such as facebook and twitter. However, is this necessarily a bad thing? I don't think so. Social interactions are still present,but are now presented through a different medium. People are not bound by their surroundings and meet others who are interested in their hobbies and passions from even across the world. I believe that in this technological world, being over connected might not be so bad, but just a part of evolution or adaption. As people begin to find faster and better ways to communicate and strive forward, others are frightened by this change and push back. The Luddite perspective must be overcome to keep up with a world that is being shaped by globalization. As people begin to get social cues from the Internet rather than day to day life, technology's presence is noticed. In conclusion, I believe that Power's makes a good point on the importance of balance, although what constitutes a perfect balance is still to obscure to tell. We can only gain a full perspective of this situation as time proceeds. Cool Article though!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Powers that everyone is connected via technology and although that may not be a bad thing, people shouldn't let their lives revolve around their smartphones. Because of the efficiency of people's phones, and the ability to do almost anything on those devices, people lose a sustainable connection with each other. Communication nowadays is mainly in the form of texting or commenting on facebook posts or twitter. However, although having smartphones can facilitate our lives, the relationships we have with each other should still be maintained through conversations face to face. Completely isolating yourself from a device is unnecessary though, but balance should be kept in order to maintain a sustained connection.
ReplyDeleteI think it is interesting how Powers chooses such a controversial topic that is classic yet innovative. In our modern days, whether technological improvement is good or not is a very popular classic subject of debate. The article is also thought-provoking in a sense that it draws the reader to realize that the majority of the things we had manually completed by ourselves is now completed with the help of technology. For example, instead of manually labeling the numbers by ourselves in Word, the computer labels for us. However, we are still completing everyday tasks by ourselves, just with the help of technological devices that facilitate completing our tasks. For example, while "Hamlet reaches into his pocket and pulls out his 'tables'" to take notes of his expression in the late 16th century, we would do the same in the 21st centuryć¼the only difference being our using of tablets or phones.
ReplyDeleteOverall, this article made me rethink the role technology plays in our lives and wonder if technology will take over humans one day...