Post by rollinsgrubbs on Aug 1, 2011 19:27:03 GMT -5
“What does the contemporary self want?” I’ll fill you in Mr. Deresiewicz, it’s not to be noticed by a community of peers on the internet. Well at least not for all of the new generation. Unfortunately to some, social networking may become addicting. However, no offense intended, the fiendish addiction to social networking is brought about by sheer laziness and lack of further physical activities and social skills. Our generation is perhaps the most spoiled as well as exposed generation since the peace sowing hippies protesting Vietnam wielding their marijuana cigarettes which they habitually smoked legally instead of today’s generation socially smoking the herb illegally. No, the newer generation does not want the acknowledgement of their internet peers, but attention in general. From the perspective of the average high school student, most will do anything to stand from the rest and most of the times it’s for stupid reasons such as to get back at someone or even just to look good. I’m not saying I’m not guilty of trying to show off or get some bittersweet revenge, but I’m active enough to try to channel my energy through say sports, or even writing papers and I know there are in fact other people like me out there. So to say that the contemporary self wants the attention of its peers online is incorrect.
Despite disagreeing with Mr. Deresiewicz on the overall topic of his essay, I do agree with his major point that “technology is taking away our privacy and our concentration…” Having technology at our fingertips causes society to feel the need to blog or tweet about every second of their lives, which for the most parts are only mediocre, and has led to lower grades in classrooms and less average sleep among America’s youth, both of which are results of the prohibited use of technology in the classroom, and the effect of technology as stimuli on the brain. Studies are continuously being conducted and their results are being published revealing all to horrifyingly that the previous statements are true and America’s standards are slumping which also has caused us to export jobs to harder working countries such as China, Japan, India, and Taiwan. Technology may create new opportunities and enhance efficiency in the workplace, but as a result of misuse it is also slowly ruining humanity.
I also find it surprising that people don’t reserve time for themselves and consider it precious, which causes me to ask myself whether I should feel similar to an outcast or extremely privileged? Why wouldn’t anyone want time to themselves? To do things such as reflect on their day or prioritize their life? Do people let their social networking determine their priorities for them and tell them how to run their lives? I guess I just don’t understand why one would want to conform with such a society. I guess that I am what some consider old fashioned, preferring to have my own time to wind down and reflect or even relax. God forbid that should happen.
Despite disagreeing with Mr. Deresiewicz on the overall topic of his essay, I do agree with his major point that “technology is taking away our privacy and our concentration…” Having technology at our fingertips causes society to feel the need to blog or tweet about every second of their lives, which for the most parts are only mediocre, and has led to lower grades in classrooms and less average sleep among America’s youth, both of which are results of the prohibited use of technology in the classroom, and the effect of technology as stimuli on the brain. Studies are continuously being conducted and their results are being published revealing all to horrifyingly that the previous statements are true and America’s standards are slumping which also has caused us to export jobs to harder working countries such as China, Japan, India, and Taiwan. Technology may create new opportunities and enhance efficiency in the workplace, but as a result of misuse it is also slowly ruining humanity.
I also find it surprising that people don’t reserve time for themselves and consider it precious, which causes me to ask myself whether I should feel similar to an outcast or extremely privileged? Why wouldn’t anyone want time to themselves? To do things such as reflect on their day or prioritize their life? Do people let their social networking determine their priorities for them and tell them how to run their lives? I guess I just don’t understand why one would want to conform with such a society. I guess that I am what some consider old fashioned, preferring to have my own time to wind down and reflect or even relax. God forbid that should happen.