Issue
Technology
Focus Question
How is technology affecting the way we think, read, write and
live?
Technology
When technology is used positively,
it has a positive impact on people’s lives. Technology has enabled
mechanization of processes and drastically simplified everything in the world.
Human life is now intertwined with technology use through writing, thinking,
reading and living. According to Cullington’s article on texting, the
conclusions made further reveals the importance of technology and that it’s
perceived negative effects depends on the individual user. The benefits that
technology brings along greatly outweigh the negative side, ranging from the
efficiency in acquiring information, leisure and communicating. The paper
comprehensively focuses on technology’s positive use and the trends seen in the
recent times of technological use.
Cullington’s article researches on
the effects brought about by texting, and demystify the notion that texting
harms the formal writing skills terming it as inadequately researched. The
based research entails the opinion of two teachers and seven enthusiastic
students. The intention was to find the texting effects, especially in writing.
It also tries to evaluate what learners are doing with
regards to texting and writing, and people’s perception of the matter. The
research finally deduces that texting and technology in general do not affect
formal writing skills, but rather, it is up to the user’s choice and how they
would like to use it in a particular context.
Student writing
illustrations analyzed by Cullington lacked the existence of text-speak, which
is the shortened version of words or phrases. It reveals that students or the
teenagers affected by texting do recognize distinctions between informally texting
pals and formal writing which they took seriously (Carrington, 87). Self-awareness
and discipline is the core value of using technology as seen in the research in
selectively using the styles suitable in each and every situation. Since the
students used in the research showed mature abstinence from using the wrong
writing style, it is, therefore, a fact that technological trends like
text-speak are harmless. However, teenagers must be reminded and taught on occasions
of applying formal language without discouraging short texting as a tool of
effective communication.
A total paradigm shift of the
limiting view of texting and other technologies
must be accepted as beneficial since it endows students with valuable motivation
required to write, increase writing confidence and enhance practice in various
writing skills. Texting simplifies communication, expression and improves the
student’s diplomatic skills. According
to Carr’s article on Google, he claims that the technology discourages
concentration or reading ability(Carr, 731). This is an outright fallacy
because more information does not correlate to a lack of concentration or a
reading culture. In fact, it allows access to the materials for reading and
encourages people to read more. Texting can allow students who abhor reading
and writing develop the skill in a way they find interesting and fosters the
good writing and reading culture in the society.
Technology
including texting has brought a considerable language evolution, which by all
rights is a creative and good thing. Dialect change experienced in written and
oral skills has enabled a sense of belonging by the particular group that uses
it such as the teenagers. Simplifying communication clarifies expression and
greatly helps in social development in the new generation. It is impossible and
backward to oppose meaningful technology such as texting and what needs to be
done is integrating the technology to impact positively to people. Language is
flexible and with time it is prone to development and improvement, with the
facilitation of technology, it has become possible to evolve writing without
necessarily ruining the quality of formal writing.
Technology has
from its first inception faced strong opposition due to paranoia and misleading
fallacies that are established around it. Socrates held a view that writing
meant to substitute the human brain capacity and induced forgetfulness.
Hieronimo held similar views and was opposed to the printed books, in those
times that technology undermined religion; it was also thought to cause
laziness, weaken the mind, and inability to study. Spelling proficiency is
intact in the students regardless the fuss in texting, therefore, personal
decision is attributed in willingness of not allowing negative effects from
technology. It also applies in gaming that is considered dangerously addictive.
Although known for its addictive nature, it is the individual user who decides
whether they will allow addiction or not because the brain is considered
malleable and accommodating (Anderson, 64).
The fallacy
that technology negatively affects people are conclusions of isolated
incidences such as texting directly affecting writing that in reality is
misleading. People who text does not use the same style in writing formal
articles or papers, and neither does it impact on their skill by affecting the
proficiency in spelling and styles
required. The only reason people still hold this belief is because of
paranoia and rigidness since naturally people resist change. Allowing
individuals to take responsibility enhances their confidence and ability to
take control of their actions. As seen with the internet and gaming software developed, potential self- destruction due to lack of control is very possible.
However, a culture of permissiveness is good since it allows for choices, and
life is all about choices.
Technology
cannot stop, but it will constantly be improving, it is, therefore, important
to disengage in the fallacies around it. Texting among other trends does not
impact negatively to society since it is a personal decision each carries.
Technology, therefore, should be promoted to change people positively and
enhance their lifestyles.
References:
Anderson, Sam. “Just One More Game…: Angry
Birds, Farmville, and Other Hyperaddictive Stupid
Games.†64-69
Carr, Nicholas. “Is Google Making Us Stupid?â€
731-744.
Cullington, Michaela. “Does Texting Affect
Writing?†87-95.
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