Me, Myself and Technology

Going to Toronto to work has been somewhat an eye opening experience for me. Working in docile town of Guelph for 3 years, I was so used to an easy commute and relaxed work life that working in Toronto now seems a whole new world to me. Taking morning train and then walking on streets with hoard of people looking to get to work is something I don’t look forward to. People say downtown has energy and you feel charged up to work but I apparently don’t think so. I want a laid back life with not too many worries. My job is challenging and I enjoy it but the fight to get to work every day is something I am not cut out for. Hopefully when I move closer to work it’d be better. And hopefully, very soon I will do what I want and not what my expenses want me to.

Anyways, coming back to the focal point of this essay, I want to discuss how technology today has changed our lifestyle for worse. This thought came to me after travelling every day to work. When I see every individual with some new communication gadget and constantly consumed by it, I feel how do I speak to somebody just to have a little conversation after a hectic day of work? I feel we are heading towards this age where face-to-face communication might become redundant. Tech companies in today’s age have very smartly focused their attention on products/gadgets that only cater to individuals and not groups. Live chatting, iPod, iPad, iPhone, Video Games, Twitter, Facebook and just every other revolutionary application is focused on boosting your ego. Every kid wants to be a part of this generation by investing in-depth knowledge in these applications.

Somehow these companies have made us believe that letting personal information out is very important. Letting others know what you are up to is very important. These products are nothing but a mirror to narcissistic individuals. I often find people spending more time on Facebook or Twitter are lonely in personal lives. They make many online/virtual friends simply because they are able to spend more time on it and in return feel obliged to stick to it with the fear of losing attention if they stopped. People with busier and happier personal lives don’t spend as much time. These forums are nothing but a way to express your ego. People posting pictures to share with friends don’t necessarily want to share but they intend to tell the world how happy they are. And not always will they post all the pictures, only the ones they like will be posted - all the ones where they are looking good or doing something unusual. It relates to boosting your ego. Similarly on twitter or even Facebook, sharing in 150 characters what you are up to is nothing but a reflection of our ego. We won’t go out to socialize with people but we would rather post a message that we are bored or can’t sleep anticipating somebody will reply to our post and feel they actully care for us. In reality, people always respond because they have an ulterior motive. It’s a popularity contest. You scratch my back; I will scratch yours when you need me. Similarly, we want latest phones or other gadgets not because we need them, but because that’s a good way to tell others how cool and hip you are. iPhone offers millions of applications but what do I see people mostly using it for?

1) Playing games on it while they are waiting for a movie to start at a cinema.
2) Watching YouTube videos on it even though a computer is next to them
3) Showing videos to friends on it while they are partying with them
4) Playing music at a party because they feel they have better music on their iPhone.

I can go on and on. This is nothing but bereavement of social life. Mind you these applications and forums have advantages too, and some incredible advantages, but unfortunately we don’t use them well. According to a recent study, 50% of children under the age of 10 in Canada and USA are obese. I wonder why? Why would they go out and play actual soccer when they can play it on their TV with the touch of a remote control. I personally feel Video Games should be banned in a civilized society. It’s not a source of entertainment but it’s a source of depression.

I am not against these technological advances but I would not accept them at the cost of losing my social life. Being with friends and family has to be the best feeling in the world. I want to communicate my views that involve number of the people but letting others know things like I fell down in my bath tub and now my butt hurts will only lead to my personal downfall. I value your time too much to inform you about my nonsensical personal moments.