It's undeniable that technology brings with it many wonderful conveniences and opportunities. But has technology really improved our lives? This is a question we discuss in some of my French classes when we read francophone literature that bemoans the changes to traditionally simple lifestyles where Western civilization enters and becomes dominant.
When I think about how different my life is now from when I was a child and recognize how dependent I've become on technology, it's almost startling. And if you had ever told me that I would one day work summers as a PC tech, I would have thought they were crazy!
Below are some cartoons in my files about the impact of technology on us.
Is your life better because of technology? How has technology improved or diminished your quality of life? Do you have more stress or less stress because of all the gadgets and appliances in your life?
quotation...
"Scripture leaves no room for spiritual neutrality." - Jeremy McMorris
=^..^= =^..^=
Rob
A computer's attention span is as long as its power cord or its battery life.
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on Jul 2nd, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Great cartoons — they really hit home!
I grew up without even a phone in the house — and now I call my dad for free (and get to see him!) via Skype! Truly amazing!
.-= Deborah’s most recent blog post … Duh Wed Wipe Stwahbehwee! =-.
on Jul 2nd, 2009 at 9:52 pm
As a Generation X-er, I grew up watching technology explode into what it is now. And even though it can be a huge pain and a potentially huge distraction from many important things, it does have its benefits:
For example, I will be teaching piano in a (very) rural Christian school. There’s no BJA to give excellent live performances for my students to hear. But I can have my students listen to recordings of Rachmaninoff playing his own etudes on YouTube.
Another example: a missionary friend of mine just arrived in the Philippines. I emailed her to tell her I was praying for her, and got a reply in less than 12 hours. Adoniram Judson would never have dreamed of such a luxury.
I guess I’ll vote for technology.
on Jul 3rd, 2009 at 4:44 am
Speaking of technology — before your blog was hacked a little 77 showed up by your blog on my bookmark list. Now there is nothing. One time the cup of coffee showed up but didn’t last because my computer crashed shortly after that and the coffee never returned. Is it something in your system or is it mine? Or did you choose not to use it anymore? I really enjoy your ivs and have enjoyed Becka’s as well. We are truly thankful for technology here in Romania. We don’t feel so isolated. Keep up the good work.
on Jul 3rd, 2009 at 9:39 pm
@Deborah, Heather, and Lyn – I will agree that for long-distance communications, particularly to and from other continents, you gotta love the current technology! The two summers we were in China teaching, it was wonderful to be able to e-mail and Skype our kids back here in the States. There are many aspects of technology that we find beneficial, but it can be really frustrating and stressful when the technology upon which we become dependent fails. The expense related to technology is not totally beneficial.
on Jul 4th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Maybe some of your tecchie friends will enjoy this little parody on Dr. Seuss and how he might see computer science.
http://www.seuss.org/seuss/seuss.byte.html
on Jul 5th, 2009 at 8:50 am
The cartoons were great.
We could on and on in all that we have seen in changes. Our daughter graduated on June 12, the same day that TV went digital. I told her to remember the day because someday digital will become outdated and she can tell her children I remember when….
on Jul 6th, 2009 at 8:21 am
@Jessica – Mr. Ziegler has certainly caught the essence of Dr. Seuss’s style! Thanks for sharing that!
@Tammy – Isn’t that the truth?! Remember the wonderful invention of cassette tapes? It was such a huge improvement over 8-track tapes. Then the CD! Now the mp3 player! Where will it end? Today’s technology is fodder for future episodes of Antiques Roadshow!
on Jul 6th, 2009 at 8:47 am
I often get historical (not hysterical) when the power goes out. As I’m sitting there in the dark with no TV, no computer, no radio, no nothing, I wonder what people a little over a century ago did. I guess they did a lot of reading by candlelight. Also, they went to bed. These are two activities we should all do more of. I think technology has brought a lot of advantages but it has caused us to live less healthy and more shallow lives.
on Jul 6th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
I know I waste more time on the internet than anything else. BUT it’s so great to be able to keep up with people that I would not be able to otherwise. Technology will never replace wisdom and self-control.
on Jul 6th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
@Michael – That’s funny … I have often thought the same thing. When our power was out a couple of years ago, we took turns reading a book to each other by oil lamp light. It was rough going on aging eyes.
@Carrie – The time online is elusive! It’s so easy to spend far longer than you ever meant to when you sit down and start to surf. I’ve heard it helps to set a timer.
on Jul 7th, 2009 at 7:53 am
I worked in the Help Desk/Technology field for about 8 years. While my job has changed/shifted in the last couple years, I’m still a geek and use a computer all day long! Couldn’t survive without it!
Below is one of my favorite computer-related comics I saw several years ago.
(posted for Jenni by Rob)
on Jul 7th, 2009 at 11:22 am
@Jenni – Thanks for sharing the cartoon. It is tough to have to do manually “tasks” you’re used to doing with a computer.