Technology Taking Over

            Many people use different types of technology in their every day life. I personally believe that technology might be taking over some teenager’s lives. A lot of teens can’t go an hour without being on their cellphone or at least checking it. People are becoming dependent on our phones and other electronics. The younger generation has lost its curious nature to explore to world. Instead, children are hiding behind a TV screen or Xbox game (Too Dependent on Technology). Many people are unhappy when they don’t have their phone or any type of technology to use 24/7.

            On one episode of the show “Chrisley Knows Best” the family went on a family trip to their cabin to celebrate their grandma’s birthday. The dad (Todd Chrisley) takes his kids electronics away for the whole weekend. The seventeen-year-old son hated the idea that he couldn’t have his phone for two days! That’s not long at all. He snooped around to find his phone and took it on the boat with him. His dad found out that he brought his phone, and took it and threw it in the water. The son was devastated. That just goes to show that some teens cant even go a day without their phone. It also shows that people aren’t happy without electronics. Twenty-five years ago, there weren’t any phones or iPods, and people were perfectly happy. If only that was the case in this generation. 

"America Has Become Too Dependent on Technology." UAB Kaleidoscope. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 April 

          2014.

          The very first line of this article reads “New forms of media have always caused moral panics” then goes on to state that new technology had been “once denounced as threats to their consumers' brainpower and moral fiber” (Pinker 640). Which made me wonder, are smartphones making us dumb? On average a person will spend 22.8 days a year on their phone. Almost 23 full days spent staring at a 5 inch screen. Now, I guess it's not fair to jump to my first reaction of 'Is twitter really that important that you have to be on your phone 22 hours a day? No one cares that you just had a double flusher' (no, really companies make phone holders just for that room, because I guess sometimes it takes two hands..?) Anyway, the point is technology is advancing, and while sometimes there's no need for it, there are instances where it amazes me that one little piece of plastic can do so much.

          Family and friends are able to stay connected, even see one another no matter their distance via skype, and other similar programs that use your computer, or even phone's video camera to instantly connect you through a live stream. Even if you opt to go with out the face to face encounters, you still have the options of texting, e-mailing, instant messaging (if you're still into that. I'm not here to judge, I thought it was cool too...in 2006), and calling your loved one at the touch of a button, basically anywhere and everywhere (yes, even the bathroom!)

          With great power, comes great responsibility. It can be easy to get sucked into the apple universe and forget you have real friends too. But the concept of distractions are not as new as the iPad mini. Although what's distracting us these days is as new as the iPad mini, mainly because it is the iPad mini. Anyway, the article hits the nail on the head when it states “the solution is not to bemoan technology but to develop strategies of self-control, as we do every other temptation in life” (Pinker 641).

          It's all about balance. If you can have self-control over not eating an entire pizza at once, or not putting off all your work until the last minute (notice the word if at the beginning of the sentence, I mean, we're only human right?) you can certainly have the self-control to put down the phone and step away from the computer. Maybe set a no phones at the dinner table rule, that way you can just sit and really listen to what the people around you have to say. Maybe try reading an actual book, instead of an e-book. Or maybe just sit around and catch up with your friends, face to face every once in a while. (and no, facetime does not count)

Works Cited

Pinker, Steven. "Mind Over Mass Media." New York Times (2010): n. pag. Web.

"You Spend 23 Days a Year on Your Phone, Say New Figures - CNET." CNET. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2014.

What We Eat

A McDonald's hamburger. A simple concept and one that most Americans know well. However, this simple concept of grabbing a burger from the McDonald's drive-thru has expanded immensely along with the growing technology world that has been developing throughout the years. And it's not only the McDonald's chains that are changing due to technology. The majority of fast-food restaurants in America, and throughout the world, are developing new ways to keep their customers attracted to their product. That doesn't seem to be an issue, however, as fast-food has become a way of life for the majority of Americans. One could even relate it to some sort of religion, as most people recognize the golden arches of the McDonald's logo, than they do of the Christian cross nowadays (Schlosser). The new technologies, such as the Coca-Cola Freestyle Machine (seen below), self-serve kiosks, and phone apps, allow customers to keep connected and keep coming back to these fast-food chains that they know and love.




Are these new technologies a blessing or a curse in the modern age? It turns out to be both. While these new technologies allow for more ease and efficiency in ordering and receiving food, many would argue that they are making our world a little too fast-paced. People become so enamored in the new thing, that they don't see how it negatively affects them. According to the article, "What We Eat" by Eric Schlosser, people spend more money on fast-food than they do higher education nowadays.
All in all, it is important to realize the effect that technology has on our eating habits, and while not all are negative, we must realize that they do effect us in some way.

Schlosser, Eric. "What We Eat." 2001. Back to the Lake. Ed. Thomas Cooley. 2nd ed. New York: Norton, 2012. 667-74. Print.

Winzelberg, David. "Everything You Need to Know About Coca-Cola Freestyle." The Coca-Cola Company. N.p., 16 Oct. 2012. Web. 12 Apr. 2014.

The New American Divide

            Many years ago, in some families, your parents chose your husband or wife. Most people would meet their significant other either at work, church, or any other public place. Recently, people have been meeting the love of their life on the Internet. Statistics show that 66% of people that have used an online dating website have been on a date with the person they met online. When these websites such as eHarmony and Match.com first came out, many people disliked the idea, but over time people have become more considering of it.

            In the past decade, online dating has become a very popular way to meet someone. One in ten people in the United States have used an online dating website. That’s ten percent of the people in the United States. In the article, “The New American Divide” it talks about different topics and how they have changed over time, such as marriage and single parenthood. Online dating obviously wouldn’t have been available thirty years ago, so this is a big change to our century.

            There have been many disadvantages to online dating. Many offenders make profiles to harass people, and many people have gotten into trouble. That’s why some people are really against the dating websites.

            Many things have changed and so much technology has been created in the past twenty years. In many cases, some people do find “the one” on a dating website. Maybe more people should consider trying one out.

"Online Dating & Relationships." Pew Research Centers Internet American Life Project

 RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Apr. 2014.