For my research paper, I would like to make known the
overuse of technology in today's society. Whether we choose to believe it
or not, technology has become in a sense a form of addiction. Social
networking has become very popular over this past decade, more so in the last
five years. A lot of people, today's generation especially, seem to fill
a void when going online and texting. People have gotten so caught up
with what's going on in the social world rather than face reality and
experience the real world. Nowadays you go out to eat at a restaurant and you
begin to wonder *What's the point really?* I look around and see everyone
hooked on their phones rather than carry on conversations with the company
they’re with. I've caught myself even out to dinner with family/friends
and not being able to put my phone down for that short amount of time out of
the day that should be spent with one another. People, teens especially
are having trouble carrying conversations because they don't have that time to
come up with something witty to whereas during text or online, they
would. During face to face conversations, it is completely opposite
though. Once you say something, you can't erase it and start over.
You no longer have that ability.
What I hope to get across is the abuse of technology and
that it is a disease in its own form. Social networking is tearing us
down little by little. Today's society, myself included, has let it begin
to take over. It'll only get worse because sadly, we will let it.
There was a time when social networking cease to exist. I'm not saying it
should go back to that point, but it definitely shouldn't be made as a top
priority anymore.
I have gone back and forth for a while now wondering what
this world would be like if social networking didn't exist like once before.
What would we be doing? How would we be staying connected with one
another? Would we be smarter than we are now? Would we get a lot
more accomplished? All these questions and more have come to mind.
In a previous English class I had, we were assigned to read an article in
a book called America Now.
Shawn Ghuman did a fine job explaining the effects of technology and what
social networking is making of us. Ever since reading that piece, I have
begun to question technology today. There was a time when Facebook,
Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, and more didn't even cross our minds
because well, they weren't around. Not to say those sites aren't fun to
go on but it has gotten out of hand. You have shows today pointing
towards the cons of what social networking is doing to us. Accidents are being
caused by texting and driving, you see it on the news every day. I read
an article in the Elite Daily by Paul Hudson, "Why Your Cell Phone Is
Ruining Your Life." Hudson went onto say even the busy streets of
New York City are becoming quieter due to the excessive amount of time spent on
our phones. If the city that never sleeps is becoming quiet, what's next?
Just a couple days ago a book called "iDisorder" caught my eye
so hopefully I will find some useful sources out of there. We, eat
breathe, and sleep technology and I plan to make it known rather than stay in
denial any longer. My plan of attack is to continue gathering more
information for my sources in books and online as well.
I.)
I believe society is
slowly finding themselves in trouble with the over rule of technology.
II.)
Social networking has
escalated into a whole new aspect. Something
that once was fun has become an addiction.
III.)
Today’s world once
managed without social networking and cell phones. I am not saying the world should go back to
that again, but needs to be done in moderation.
IV.)
Social networking is
creating multiple issues for people, especially teenagers. Their communication skills are slowly becoming
destroyed and leads them to problems later in life.
A.)
I have come across
quite a few sources that back up my topic.
Both books mentioned in my literature review and annotated bibliography,
talk about things that are easy to side with when talking about what society is
becoming with the excessive amount of social networking.
B.)
Although I didn’t side
with everything Richard Alleyne mentioned in his article, I found his work
quite useful when discussing the addiction that has been created with cell
phones and the consistent checking on social network sites. People are risking relationships with one
another over something so small that has escalated so big.
C.)
Social networking sites
have become a danger to today’s society.
Julia Angwin was a useful source when it came to describing the dangers
of social networking and how nowadays it’s safer to have parents monitor what
their kids are doing.
D.)
In America Now, Shawn Ghuman brought up
some very good points that I agreed with.
Ghuman brought up the matter on people feeling awkward when making eye
contact and having to talk face to face with their peers.
E.)
I haven’t found any
sources I completely disagree with, but there are a couple that don’t “nail” my
topic in the way I am shooting for and that may later create problems if I
carry through with them.
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