We Don't Just Want It, We FEEL Like We NEED It
Whenever I would want something as a kid, I would often declare to my parents that I needed it. My father, every time, would retort that "you don't need it, you want it." This would get me thinking and, reluctantly, I would stop pestering my parents for whatever it was I wanted (though sometimes I carried on, undeterred).
This seems to be a common mistake that is made in the thinking of people regarding certain items. We feel this overwhelming sense that we need certain things, that there is no alternative other than buying it. With smartphones, this feeling has been habitually ingrained into our minds. For many people they have become transparent. People institutionally grab for their phones at certain intervals and check for any notifications. People use them for taking photos, social media, navigation, games, and so many other distinct things, and so much of it has become habit.
Why? Modern America has become so fast-paced and independent that people lack meaningful connection. So, people gravitate to texting and using social media on the go in order to feel some sort of connection. There is (for me, and from my experience for others too) an odd psychological boost whenever a text message arrives, or various emails. Nothing beats walking out of a class, checking your phone, and seeing six texts from six different people waiting for you, right?
This is a problem. Even aside from the tragic car accidents and other incidents that smart phone dependence has contributed to or caused, it is a problem relationally. The old way of communicating is being overwhelmed by the new, and even broader, the old way of living is being overwhelmed by the new. The new changes and innovations in communication and living are not all bad. In fact, there are many positives, and smartphones in particular have many beneficial applications and uses. However, there is a seemingly noticeable lack of balance in regards to using our technology, and specifically our phones. Like Michael Wesch notes in his poignant video, "the machine is Us/ing Us." It would not appear to be a stretch to say for many that smartphones is Us/ing Us.
This seems to be a common mistake that is made in the thinking of people regarding certain items. We feel this overwhelming sense that we need certain things, that there is no alternative other than buying it. With smartphones, this feeling has been habitually ingrained into our minds. For many people they have become transparent. People institutionally grab for their phones at certain intervals and check for any notifications. People use them for taking photos, social media, navigation, games, and so many other distinct things, and so much of it has become habit.
Why? Modern America has become so fast-paced and independent that people lack meaningful connection. So, people gravitate to texting and using social media on the go in order to feel some sort of connection. There is (for me, and from my experience for others too) an odd psychological boost whenever a text message arrives, or various emails. Nothing beats walking out of a class, checking your phone, and seeing six texts from six different people waiting for you, right?
This is a problem. Even aside from the tragic car accidents and other incidents that smart phone dependence has contributed to or caused, it is a problem relationally. The old way of communicating is being overwhelmed by the new, and even broader, the old way of living is being overwhelmed by the new. The new changes and innovations in communication and living are not all bad. In fact, there are many positives, and smartphones in particular have many beneficial applications and uses. However, there is a seemingly noticeable lack of balance in regards to using our technology, and specifically our phones. Like Michael Wesch notes in his poignant video, "the machine is Us/ing Us." It would not appear to be a stretch to say for many that smartphones is Us/ing Us.