tune in, turn off, switch off, switch on, and explode

The explosion is referring to my stress levels when turning off my most trusted appendage for the day- my cell phone. I challenged myself to unplug from the digital world and tune into my physical world for an entire day and in the beginning I felt quite accomplished and ready to prove my independence from technology. However, pretty soon the so-called FOMO was building up like stomach acid…not a pretty picture. I found myself incredibly anxious to the extent that I began to worry that I would anger people (especially my parents who actually rarely call me anyway) by not being able to return communication with them.

I attempted to specifically plan out a day where I could avoid technology without hinderance, which proved to be really hard. I figured I had to choose a day where I wouldn’t be in school because I definitely have created a dependence on the Internet for my academic pursuits. [Praise be to Google.] However, when I looked to weekends I feared that I would be socially isolated if I couldn’t use technology to communicate with others and make plans. As I chose a Saturday to unplug, I followed the lead of my roommate for several social events of the day. However, even in this case I felt the creeping sense that I could be missing out on other invitations that I just didn’t know about.

My social self was definitely salvageable once I got into the groove of being out with friends and no technology. I had to actively suppress the anxiety about having my phone turned off and there were certainly some positive aspects to my face-to-face communication being disruption-free. I could tell my attention span was easier to maintain and I felt really positive about the interactions I was having. The hardest part overall, was feeling bored when I went back to my apartment. When alone, it was very hard to resist using technology. Even doing homework was difficult because I wanted to look many things up on the Internet to help clarify my readings.

Overall, I think a technology dependence has clearly developed and it would take effortful habit-breaking and restructuring of communication styles in order to be in a place where we can easily switch off the technology for a day.

 

In regards to the implication of technology communications influence on human societies, one of the most interesting concepts I learned was technological determinism as the explanation for the momentum of societal shifts over time. Technological determinism as a theory I find overly reductionist because I think that white supremacy, patriarchal oppression, and several colonizing ideologies have been major forces at play that influenced and allowed for the creation of certain technologies. However, to examine how the ability for human individuals and societies have been able to communicate and share these ideologies to broader and broader audiences in seemingly more authentic and convincing ways is clearly an avenue worth exploring as it regards to contemporary social problems.

In addition, I recall the assertion that ‘the medium is the message’ as a significant but often hidden perspective to issues of modern conflict. How do we manipulate messages via broadcasting in different technologies, have we created a hierarchy of more reliable mediums that therefore have more poignant messages? And are these hierarchies arbitrary or constructed?

As I have stated from my personal experience of dropping out of the digital world, I think the extent to which we are dependent on technology is certainly risen and I appreciate the opportunity to critique this observation via technological determinism. The inherent social nature of humankind makes the study of communication entirely viable as an avenue for philosophical, political and ideological commentary and I think many theories may be critiques (i.e. agenda-setting, cultivation theory) that create constructive analyses and open the door for progressive social change.

Social Media: Opiate of the Masses

As a psychology major, I consider that using a uses & gratifications approach to analyze the incredible boom for social media to be ripe with prime examples of narcissism, paranoia, neurosis, and other disorders of the mind. But that all comes from a cynical and morbidly curious mind.

Social media, no doubt, has taken the Internet by storm. Specifically young people are driving these technologies through fads of apps, websites, and other platforms. Social media creators have to be as adaptable as fashion for young people, or risk being tossed out in favor for a new platform with more relative advantage. But beyond the capitalistic wastefulness that goes on the industry side, there is much discourse surrounding the media effects on the users of social media. Does social media facilitate the  corruption of young minds by creating space for explicit social hierarchies? Or does social media protect and serve marginalized and niche audiences into supportive and cohesive groups?

The already countless studies based on social media effects still has many more avenues to explore before there is any judgement day for social media. In this case, merely peoples’ experiences can tell the tales.

I believe that social media has been a largely positive influence on my relationships. Based on the most basic principle of cutting the factor of physical distance from my friendships, I have been able to maintain some relationships with greater ease than before. I actually feel less obligated to plan out time for one-to-one communication and feel less pressuring to my own friends for them to make time for me. I appreciate the ‘likes’ and ‘comments’ that allow me to recognize that my friends/family will know what important events are occurring in my life.

A significant positive that is provided by social media is the ability to facilitate the human need of social interaction for those that struggle with debilitating social disorders, autism, or physical impairments that hinder their ability to interact face-to-face. The internet can provide communities of people, whether similar or supportive allies, that can be accessible to people who may not have had the opportunity before the digital age.

 

I think as of yet it is near impossible to ensure that social media maintains a strictly positive influence for interpersonal communication, but the same can be said for face-to-face interaction as well. There are laws and policies that can limit the material and pervasiveness of social media, but unfortunately it cannot irradiate the negative implications it provides as a whole. I think an appropriate starting step would be to collaborate generations and political affiliations to produce an adequate “Internet Bill of Rights” to help safeguard against some of the most insidious harms of the internet.