“The information age has brought unthinkable technological innovation. Because of this people are coming to rely more on technology than ever before. While technology has made our lives easier and more efficient, it is also serving as a catalyst for a number of social issues.”
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The information age has brought unthinkable technological innovation. Because of this people are coming to rely more on technology than ever before.

While technology has made our lives easier and more efficient, it is also serving as a catalyst for a number of social issues.

In the ‘always on’ world, we live in people are always connected. Interestingly, most people feel that a phone call or text message takes precedence over a personal conversation or even business meetings.

Because of this continuous interruption society is becoming increasingly fragmented. More importantly some psychologists have linked increased text messaging, even excessive e-mailing, to a decrease in IQ comparable to that of smoking illegal drugs.

The breakup of the mental process that is a direct result of being constantly connected has also been linked to problems in work place.

While companies are increasingly providing their employees ways to stay connected to their work while out of the office, they are also dealing with its adverse effects. Many executives have recently complained that the job that used to be done by one man now takes three.

This problem is at least partially due to the increased distraction, and interruptions to the mental process caused by the devices that keep us constantly connected.

What is more shocking is that while technology has lead society to be more connected than ever before, it has actually weakened people’s ability to communicate.

Because of our deep interconnectivity we have actually come to abandon the art of conversation.

As we become more connected we increasingly become more isolated. As more people turn to social networking by keeping tabs on friends via the news feed, twitter page or the micro blog the need for real communication disappears.

A CNN columnist recently elaborated on the amount time Facebook has saved him. What used to be a few hours on the phone every Sunday, sharing stories and making up for lost time, has become an impersonal glancing at the popular Web page.

It should be no surprise then that people have come to hide behind monitors large and small not wanting to face the ‘harsh reality’ of a face to face exchange.

After all, many people have concluded in a natural fashion that e-communication is simply easier.

As much as I used to denounce it, I have a Facebook, check my e-mail during class, and have sent text messages while on the job. Technology has added to the complication of my life like any other.

The point is technology has become a permanent part of our lives, but sometimes it plays a role far too large that it is worth.

Sometimes we need to get out of the house and leave the cell phone on the table, we need to remain focused on the tasks we are trying to complete and we need to form meaningful relationships face to face with those we care for most.

Without a major departure from the slippery slope we now find ourselves going down, technology may permanently change our lives, but this time it won’t be better.

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