The Social Effects of Technology: Blessing or Curse

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Today our world is enmeshed in technology. It has become an integral part of our existence. And without it we seem to gasp for air, struggling like a fish out of water. Technology has slowly morphed into our personal as well as the public domains of life.

It’s a serious issue as we face the modern existential crisis of living. And how viable is the contribution of technology on society, spurs a popular debate.

Technology brings the world closer

Today if we want to travel a short distance, we take the help of cars. Television has become a popular means of recreation. Moreover with the invention of the iPod music lovers can always tune in to their favorite tracks while traveling. The iPad has shrunk the world into a palm.

Last but not the least the invention of mobile phone has revolutionized the world as we can keep in touch with our loved ones by just pressing a few buttons. Technology has not only improved peoples’ average standard of living but has also managed to give them the feel of being close together.

Is it a curse in disguise?

The greatest alteration between the 20th century and the 21st century is perhaps, how technology has changed our lives. Now, contacting with a person who is residing in some other part of the planet does not take months and days but just a few seconds. All the vast storehouse of information awaits us just beyond a few mouse clicks.

There is this frenzied pace that grapples us always. The events pass by in a flash without us realizing even a bit of what we are actually doing. The present constitutes the only reality in our lives. As the past is history and the future no one has seen. But due to this rapid encroachment of technology we cannot enjoy our present comfortably.

However, the worst effect of technology is that, people have become addicted to it. We cannot think for almost half a second without them. This is alarming as this dependency on technology can prove disastrous. It is a trap that lures us into it, making people sacrifice sleep, exercise, enjoyment and all the normal activities of life.

Further, it also damages the ability of the mind to concentrate. Continuous use of appliances causes nervous agitation in the brain making us more impulsive. Again appliances like television, washing machine, air conditioners, and mobile phones emit small amounts of electro magnetic waves that are also harmful. What is more astonishing is that, we are not even aware of such damages.

Are humans being transformed into isolated mechanical robots?

Technology nowadays has taken the place of human beings. We are more attached to our cell phones than perhaps with our family. It is slowly penetrating in this human chain of relationships, friends as now people are concerned more about their favorite gizmos than shed a few thoughts about their life and responsibilities toward society.

Cultural gatherings and celebrations cannot be thought of today, due to the lack of time. This in turn makes them more isolated from everyone.

On birthdays and other auspicious ceremonies of one’s life, text messages and e-mails have taken the place of warm hugs and blessings with a palm on the head. In other words, communication has become insipid and relations mechanical, due to the lack of warmth and emotions, which can never be conveyed through a text message, however much we may argue. A time comes when they find no one close, to share their agony, except a few inanimate gadgets. The revelation dawns then but perhaps it has come a bit late.

High time for realization

Technology has of course done a lot, to make life much easier for us. But on the other hand, it is slowly turning us into mechanical robots. It can, therefore, very well be said that, this is indeed a curse in disguise and a threat to the future of human relations. Children who spend most of their time watching TV and playing computer games should not be expected to have great communication skills when they grow up.

No wonder, there is the huge increase in the percentage of family break-ups and divorce cases, depressions and cases of suicides at ripe ages. All this can be dealt with if there is effective communication, and it is high time, we realized this.

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Vishal Gaikar

Article by Vishal

Vishal Gaikar is a professional blogger from Pune, India. If you like this post, you can follow him on Twitter.

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