Technology Overload

Technology Overload

Technology is progressing rapidly, with new devices keeping us connected 24/7. Some of these devices are very beneficial, but for the most part these devices aren't necessities and just serve as further distractions from your surroundings, sure these devices may make your life a little easier, but they could also put you at risk if used improperly. Some people truly believe they can not live without technology, but we could function completely fine many years ago when there was minimal if any technology, so why can't we today? These next couple images are going to show the hazards of improper technology use, and why you should limit everyday use, and who is using it.

The first image displays personification of the computer. The computer is given human attributes such as a mouth and teeth, as if it is living. The image demonstrates how technology can take over someones life, or even ruin it. The computer is slowly eating the man's head. The computer represents technology as a whole, displaying how it can take over someones life. People nowadays refer to technology over the intelligence of any human. They would rather sit in front of a screen to communicate then talk face to face. On average a human will spend at least 6-7 hours a day in front of either a tablet, phone, tv, or computer screen. Assume you get 9 hours of sleep each day, you are awake for 15 hours of the day, 7 of those hours are spent in front of a screen which ends up being around 46% of your day. You spend nearly half of your day in front of some piece of technology. Not only does this interfere with your life and everyday interactions, it causes harm to your body. Looking at screens for too long without taking breaks can lead to difficulty focusing, headaches, eye discomfort, blurred vision, dry eyes, and itchy eyes. This happens because looking at a screen for an extended period of time causes you to blink less, which deprives your eyes of moisture. These symptoms may not seem like a big deal but, when you don’t deal with them they can have a huge effect on your work performance, which can be easily prevented by simply looking away from the screen. Technology is not just a device nowadays, it is seen as another being who communicates, plans, and thinks for you. The image above displays this very well as it displays technology as another being eating the humans head, as if he will not need it because the computer can do all of that for him. You are basically replacing your intelligence, and social skills with technology, as you no longer have the need for face to face communication, problem solving skills, or and knowledge as it can all be done through technology. This shows how technology can takeover your life, as it can for the most part do the majority of things you can do yourself. It is trying to replace human attributes which is not healthy. My fear is that technology will eventually eliminate human interaction entirely.
In this image a baby is displayed holding a phone as if it were a bottle, the phone is emphasized by light rays around it. It symbolizes technology in the sense that a baby cannot live without a bottle, just as humans believe they cannot live without technology. This idea is being fed to the baby through the bottle/phone. Children nowadays are born into a world where technology seems to be a necessity. Technology is being enhanced almost daily, becoming more user friendly. It is so easy a toddler can do it. Sounds like a benefit, but introducing young children to these devices too early can be very detrimental. Children will get so used to the idea of technology being around at all time therefor they will want to be on it 24/7, which can cause physical harm to the child, as well as eliminate some skills crucial to everyday life. Children are being brought into the world with the mindset that technology will be their main source of communication, whether it be text, facetime, facebook, email, or other various chat sites solely because it is so simple to use. Talking in public will seem weird or make them uncomfortable because they are so used to communicating through a screen. This will affect them creating relationships with future friends, dates, co workers, and potential clients. Obtaining a job will be difficult as they will be awkward or uncomfortable talking face to face with a stranger. Communication is severely affected, along side their physical health. A child should spend their days outside playing with friends, but instead they are spent inside behind a screen alone, communicating to friends through chat rooms or video chats. This not only affects their social skills, but also their health. They spend valuable time that they could be outside participating in physical activity, but instead sit on a couch for hours on end behind a tv, computer, or phone screen. Children should be able to learn these valuable skills while still enjoying their childhood without picking up bad habits through technology. The youngest a child should receive their own personal piece of technology is in their teens, by then they will have acquired enough knowledge to know the risk of technology, and manage their time using it.

This image displays neglect caused by technology. The man is on his computer while his significant other lies beside him unimpressed. The body language used when taking this photo portrays the image that the man is completely relaxed in the bed while using his computer completely oblivious to what his girlfriend or wife is doing or thinking. While on the other side of the image the women seems upset, or aggravated. She is being ignored, and replaced by technology. The man should be relaxed in bed with his significant other enjoying a conversation or even watching a movie on the device together. But instead he is neglecting her faced directly at her behind a screen that she cannot see. Technology can be used well to bond with others, through movies, games, or listening to music, but many people tend to use it independently and may not realize they are neglecting others, Making them feel as if technology is more important than they are. Technology can be very beneficial, if used properly. There must be a fair balance between technology and everyday life, harming yourself or people around you

The last image i chose displays an image of myself, because i am a prime example of overusing technology, in negative ways. While typing this blog post i found myself constantly checking my messages, twitter, snapchat, and other apps. It is a habit, and a bad one at that. Sure in this situation technology benefited me in the sense that it allowed me to find these images and type this blog post, but i believe it served as a bigger distraction then anything. I found myself using my laptop to listen to music, while browsing soundcloud for download links, as well as checking my phone about 150,000 times. Technology is everywhere and if you do not know how to use it correctly to an extent that you can balance your social life as well as technology it will make your life harder, less efficient, and cause harm to yourself and others around you. This essay took me about 3-4 hours, mainly because of technological distractions. If i were to focus solely on this essay and put away the technology available to me i would have finished this blog post in half the time. I noticed my habit, and will work to cut down everyday use to be more efficient and social. Now the real question is, Can you?????

Technology can serve as a great tool to complete tasks and communicate with friends, and family. But if used improperly it can cause harm to yourself and people around you. It is beneficial but not a necessity, you should create a balance of technology and reality.  Technology can create outstanding relationships, but not quite what face to face interaction can. Technology gives you a conversation whereas personal interaction gives you the experience. Technology is taking over lives of humans almost daily through technological neglect, childhood technology use, and overall overuse of technology. Your technology is not that important, so put it down and live a little.

Work Cited

 “Married and Unhappy”, GetItRightNigerians.blogspot, Friday, 17 October 2014

http://getitrightnigerians.blogspot.ca/2014/10/married-and-unhappy-read-this.html

“Have advances in technology improved our lives or are we becoming too dependant”, Debate.org, 2014

http://www.debate.org/opinions/have-advances-in-technology-improved-our-lives-or-are-we-becoming-too-dependent?nsort=2&ysort=5

“Computer Eating Man's Head”, Could Not Find Original Link.\

“Technology Overuse”, Julian LeBlanc, June 7th 2015