Technology creates distance

Over the past 20 years the face of communication has changed from a combination of the rotary phone and the yellow pages to the World Wide Web and a plethora of instant communication devices.

Although the advantages of technology are noteworthy, it is important to recognize our dependence on these devices. The nature of our lives, as well as how we complete daily tasks including academics, social life, and business practices, have changed for better and worse in many different ways.

Technology has changed academics on many levels, both in class and out of class. For starters, it is recognizable that there has been a decrease in the number of lectures in the classroom and an increase in computer based lesson presentations. The latter may be more efficient for the teacher to express their message, but also it may decrease in the effectiveness of students actually learning. Computers are also on the student's side of the desk during class and have become a common standard. This new addition has undoubtedly altered the classroom atmosphere compared to that of the past. Most of all, however, the use of technology is noticeable along the lines of how research is done for assignments. The difficulty in completing a research paper without the aid of the internet must have been quite a task and I find it difficult to comprehend how it was done before technology hit the scene (not to mention living without spellchecker). The way that students communicate with professors has also changed to be ridiculously informal via e-mail and leaving face to face meeting to be unnecessary on many occasions.

Now, don't get me wrong and peg me as a technology hater - I just bought a laptop the other day. I love this technology stuff. As technology becomes more of a standard in how every day activities are practiced, however, it is important to remember how life was conducted prior to the additions so our values as people are not corrupted anymore than they already have been.

Examples of the changes that technology has made can be readily found within the social realm. During the days of the Zach Morris phone, the potential for the savvy communicator was great, however in these days it has increased exponentially. The popularity of picture phones, text messaging and ring tones have all made the experience of communication more desirable and attainable. As if instant communication of a cell phone was not enough, chat, e-mail and online social communities have created another prevalent form of social networking. While I am a supporter of most of these techniques for communication, remember with these powers of communication comes a responsibility to use them wisely. One must remember the values that were placed upon communication before the availability of these technologies in order to use them properly.

Business is yet another field that has demonstrated the benefits and drawbacks of new technologies. The rise and fall of the dot-coms, the music industries difficulties with mp3s and pop-up advertising has shown the potential for this venue of business. The transfer of news and information through the web has created channels holding incredible amounts of information which are readily accessible at all times. These types of channels were unimaginable 20 years ago and since then the impact from technology has been so deep that by now nearly everyone has tracked a package, bought something online or found out a class was canceled via e-mail.

It is important to recognize that the same technology that is entertaining and has a seemingly endless number of advantages also has the ability to make people lazy, unintelligent and reliant upon these forms of instant gratification. With the amount of face time decreasing in society, we must learn to balance the human nature within us and the technology we have created. By streamlining this technology into a compatible, versatile form, it will be easier to use and still maintain a natural life. With better technology and methods to utilize it, someday soon we may pass the line of technology being something that can destroy us and reach the point where it can save us.