Technology is turning people into ignorant, narcissistic humans devoid of any original thought. Harsh? No. People are just too occupied with their smart phones to realize it.
This generation no longer has the ability to function properly while using technology. We call ourselves multi-taskers, but technology is hindering our ability to do anything productive.
No longer can someone walk down the street and say a friendly “hello”: no one is paying attention.
Gone are the days of traditional communication. Calling someone? Nah, it’s easier to text. Nothing expresses feelings better than emoticons! Perhaps an older gentleman takes a seat next to a younger guy on the bus, wanting to strike up a friendly conversation. “Sorry, can’t hear anything, ear buds are in.” Turn volume up.
Sitting alone, don’t want to make eye contact, don’t want to think about anything? Get out cell phone, bend head down, thumb scroll on screen, up, up, up. How robotic.
People don’t really think about it because it’s second nature for so many, but we’re unknowingly building these communication barriers between ourselves. Everyone thinks the internet is a gateway for networking and meeting new people. Sure, it can be, but it’s also making people antisocial.
For some, this means turning down invitations to go out with friends to stay home and stare at the computer screen for hours. In case it wasn’t already apparent, you can’t have a conversation with a computer screen.
It’s not just communication that’s being lost. It’s privacy and self-respect. Social-media sites such as Facebook and Twitter are encouraging people to share their lives. In previous years, people would discuss their lives in person. Now everyone and their dog (literally: people put their dogs on Facebook) can update their status to let their hundreds of friends know “omg sooo hung over today guys.”
These social-media sites are acting as a catalyst for people to indulge their own narcissism. People have the mindset that everything they post now has to receive likes or retweets, or else no one cares. They think the amount of likes they have showcases their likeability and proves that what they said was, indeed, important.
This level of self-indulgence via technology is destroying not only interpersonal communication, but also people’s morals and values. Newer generations are becoming impatient, rude, inconsiderate, and self-obsessed.
Technology use has affected all generations, and soon enough no one will have the decency to stand up and let a senior have a seat on the bus. They’ll be too preoccupied texting, Facebook-ing, and playing games to realize the poor senior has been standing there for five minutes holding on to the bar for dear life.