As we continue to find useful ways for technology to make our lives easier, we must remember that our true purpose in life is to love and help one another. Technology allows us to accomplish tasks faster, cheaper, and easier. Yet, we (as society) seem to have become 'slaves' to technology. Though technology is meant to serve us, countless hours are often spent surfing ( and serving) the Internet. If we do not easily find the answer we seek, we keep surfing. Have we forgotten that we can ask one another? It is my fear that we are becoming less human and forgetting how to communicate with other humans! Many people prefer to chat online rather than in-person. Children and parents no longer just sit down and talk. Let's text, email, voicemail, or send an emoticon instead!
Expressing love and compassion towards one another seems to difficult nowadays. Though I am writing as a hospital in-patient with a challenging cardiac condition, I must share my personal experience that has caused my concern for how technology has affected our ability to be compassionate towards one another. Though I am experiencing health challenges, I have appealed to the hospital nursing staff to allow me to use the Internet so that I can continue to complete my online PhD. course assignments. They obliged without hesitation. I notified my professors of my condition and sought compassion during this trying period in my life. Sadly, I received an email from one professor who seemed to disregard my effort to continue to complete assignments while facing these challenges. I have been told that late discussion postings and assignments will not receive full credit (regardless of the reason) and have been advised to drop the course. How sad. Where is the compassion for humanity? Are we becoming loveless androids whose purpose is merely to complete a task without regard for the trials and tribulations that we all experience at some point in Life?
The impact of technology on humanity and society has caused me to ponder these questions:
Do we still value a handwritten 'thank you' note? Do we still trust one another? Has the Internet become our 'supreme being'? Do we really take time to listen to each other? Why is it getting more difficult to find a friendly person? Has more free time as a result of technology caused us to forget how to help, love, and serve one another compassionately? Where does it end?
Humanity's use of technology is beginning to scare me. We must remain human. We must continue to love each other. We must not lose our compassion for one another. We must remember to give to the poor. We must remember to feed the starving and clothe the naked. We must continue to value family. We must remember to kiss our children. We must spend time talking face-to-face. We must remember to laugh and experience joy. We must remember to enjoy a beautiful sunset. We must remember to love one another.
God, help us to use technology to extend love and compassion to one another...
Derek,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post. Undoubtedly the Internet made communication much more accessible and faster. Email, chat, VOIP, videoconference and other Internet based communication tools and technologies have changed the way people used to communicate. So now people have less reason to leave home and interact with other people in person. Studies shows that “the psychological quality of Internet social interaction is lower than the psychological quality of traditional face-to-face interaction,” but “the relationships that develop through the Internet are close, meaningful, and long-lasting,” and “the use of Internet does not shape psychological well-being in any way that is different from the influence of social interaction via other modalities” (Tyler, 2006). ICT related societal issues can be quite complicated, and these issues do not always have easy solutions.
Musabbir
I too enjoyed reading your thoughts. Response in no particular order: If an instructor suggests dropping it might not be a bad thing, just a thing. I dropped a course on my own counsel, and then came back and did really well. three things stood out in my week. I taught a student how to tie a tie. I know he learned something because he could demonstrate the change in his behavior. I sent a post card home to a student, he was so stunned he actually became a better student in the classroom. I nominated a student for student of the week, his mother called the school in tears because it was just the lift he needed at the time. Technology plyed a part in all of these intereactions. The student needed the face to face but used the internet to practice, the second student had been using the computer to complete his assignments, and the student of the day was typed on a word program, printed on a printer, and the phone call was completed using antique, quaint, hand held non-cell technology. Never forget the people involved even if the technology seems to be in the way.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post also. my first thought was Wow!! He had a very bad week. I'm sorry.
ReplyDeleteI believe that things like Christmas cards, thank you cards and such, should never be replaced by technological methods. But we have to remember that there is always a person behind the technology. Although we can Skype each other (IM) Skype allows us to "talk" to people that normally couldn't due to cost. Long distance rates have risen in the past years. I know there are cellular plan with free long distance. I'm talking about the other people who may only own a computer. It is with technology like email that we can keep in touch with friends and family on almost a daily basis, and that's even if you are on the other side of the continent or in a different country. I have friends in Europe now that I would have never had without technology. .
Technology allows us to take classes with a worldly atmosphere. What brick & mortar classes have anyone taken with people across the planet? It allows us to take classes from a University that otherwise we couldn’t. I live in IL, but Walden is based in MN. I couldn’t spend as much time on classes if I have to commute. Walden was the only one offering the specialty that I wanted.
Technology isn’t bad. We just have to use some common sense when deciding what to do. Sometimes the personal touch would be more heartily appreciated. Think about it… even Walden still has commencement in person, but videocasts it for everyone who couldn’t make it or was just interested in it. Our Ph.D. would be sadly diminished if our mentors couldn’t hood us during the ceremony. It’s a special occasion for some.
Just my opinion…..
Derek,
ReplyDeleteMy, your week beats mine. I have been in bed for four days, and will not work tomorrow. I just feel miserable. But, praise the Lord, I am not in the hospital. I am sorry you are not feeling better.
Just a few thoughts. I keep in touch with people that I would have let go if it were not for technology.
Technology allows me more time to be personable to my students.
We all chose our priorities, and technology is a choice. If it is a distraction then we must refocus. If it is a tool, use on brother.
I pray you are well soon.
Rose Ann