600 WORDS

My relationship with technology is strong. I don’t really know life without it. It relates to my ability to think, by not having to do as much thinking. I tend to look things up before even giving my brain a chance to think about it because of how easily accessible technology is. 

I have also noticed that it affects my ability to read. My attention span tends to lack, I will be reading but not actually paying attention and comprehending what I am reading. 

Technology has really tended to imbed my focus. Something that I have really noticed is if someone is having a conversation with me while there is something on the tv or while I’m texting or scrolling through TikTok, technology has me so reeled in on the screen that it is like I cannot even hear what someone is saying to me.  Any type of notification shifts my focus which I feel leads to long lasting difficulties with paying attention. I feel as though it has led to deficient performance on academic and personal tasks.

Along with technology affecting my ability to focus it has affected my ability to write. When I am writing, even if I am really into what I am writing, all it takes is for one notification to catch my attention and then I am all thrown off.

The transition from paper to screen has an impact on more than just how I read texts. Additionally, it influences the level of focus I give it and the extent of my immersion in it. Continuous digital reading impacts my ability to acquire deep reading abilities.

I do think that technology has potential to make us smarter but a lot of the time it is taken advantage of and is holding us back. 

Although the integration of technology and relationships has certain intrinsic benefits and drawbacks, it’s vital to keep in mind that technology is not inherently bad. In the end, technology is a tool that may be used for both different purposes. Modern technology has improved civilization in several ways, but it has also had some negative effects. It will ultimately depend on how communication technology is applied to interpersonal relationships whether it has positive or bad effects. But it is indisputable that it has a big impact on relationships.

Technology is no exception to the rule that too much of a good thing can be detrimental. Technology has the capacity to enhance lives, but it can also wreck them if used excessively. Technology-based connections can create a false sense of intimacy since it’s so simple for people to lie about who they are. Many people still struggle with some kind of technology addiction, whether it is to video games, YouTube, or other social networking sites.

When people use technology to avoid having in-person conversations, it is another negative aspect of it. Face-to-face interactions can be hampered by technology, which enables people to remain distant, ignore, or block one another when awkward issues are spoken.  

This happens more frequently than most people realize; sometimes, even though it’s not the easiest topic, it’s easier to compose a passive-aggressive message than to sit down and have a face-to-face talk. Avoiding awkward situations in real life may appear harmless, but in most circumstances, it can lead to problems in the future.

When using technology to get around some parts of in-person relationships, there is a certain emotional distance that goes along with it. The result of this emotional distance may be rudeness or downright dismissal. It’s simpler to say things that they wouldn’t in person when one doesn’t have to sit down with someone and observe their facial expressions, nonverbal cues, etc.

800 WORDS

My relationship with technology is strong. I don’t really know life without it. While technology has potential to make us smarter, technology has affected us humans in so many different ways and most of the time, us humans don’t even realize it. We tend to be in denial, especially my generation, we simply do not know any different. I feel it makes us stupid based on some ways I have noticed how it affects me. Carr’s essay made me realize and put into understanding what technology is doing to me.  I have noticed it relates to my ability to think, affects my ability to read, and impedes my focus. Not only does technology affect me in these ways, but it is dangerous and affects people with social anxiety as well, leaving them dependent on technology.

I have noticed that it affects my ability to read due to my attention span. My attention span tends to lack, I will be reading but not actually paying attention nor comprehending what I am reading. My mind tends to wander off. Relating to that, technology has really tended to imbed my focus. Something that I have really noticed is if someone is having a conversation with me while there is something on the tv or while I’m texting or scrolling through TikTok, I am so reeled in on the screen that it is like I cannot even hear what someone is saying to me.  Any type of notification shifts my focus which I feel leads to long lasting difficulties with paying attention. I feel as though it has led to deficient performance on academic and personal tasks.

Along with technology affecting my ability to focus it has affected my ability to write. When I am writing, even if I am really into what I am writing, all it takes is for one notification to catch my attention and then I am all thrown off. The transition from paper to screen has an impact on more than just how I read texts. Additionally, it influences the level of focus I give it and the extent of my immersion in it. Continuous digital reading impacts my ability to acquire deep reading abilities.

Technology is no exception to the rule that too much of a good thing can be detrimental. Technology has the capacity to enhance lives, but it can also wreck them if used excessively. Technology-based connections (like tinder, snapchat, instagram),  can create a false sense of intimacy since it’s so simple for people to lie about who they are. This can be extremely scary and dangerous. There have been many times where people will have what is called an internet friend, which is a person who you have never met in person, only over social media, and it could be come creepy middle aged man pretending to be a hot young boy or girl, and they find ways to lure you in, send explicit pictures, or even try and get you to meet up with them. It’s scary because you just simply don’t know, someone who you thought was young and friendly like you, can end up putting you in danger. It is also very scary how much technology has evolved. It is so easy for people to hack your social media accounts, bank accounts, etc. Many people still struggle with some kind of technology addiction, whether it is to video games, YouTube, or other social media.

When people use technology to avoid having in-person conversations, it has positive and negative aspects. A positive aspect to it is it can make it so much easier for people with social anxiety to make friends. I personally do not have social anxiety but I know some people that do and technology has helped them tremendously. For them, it is so much easier to start a conversation with people over text than it is in person. A negative aspect is that face-to-face interactions can be hampered by technology, which enables people to remain distant, ignore, or block one another when awkward issues are spoken. This happens more frequently than most people realize; sometimes, even though it’s not the easiest topic, it’s easier to compose a passive-aggressive message than to sit down and have a face-to-face talk. Avoiding awkward situations in real life may appear harmless, but in most circumstances, it can lead to problems in the future.

FINAL

My relationship with technology is strong. I don’t really know life without it. While technology has potential to make us smarter, technology has affected us humans in so many different ways and most of the time, us humans don’t even realize it. We tend to be in denial, especially my generation, we simply do not know any different. I feel it makes us stupid based on some ways I have noticed how it affects me. Carr’s essay made me realize and put into understanding what technology is doing to me.  I have noticed it relates to my ability to think, affects my ability to read, and impedes my focus. Not only does technology affect me in these ways, but it is dangerous and affects people with social anxiety as well, leaving them dependent on technology.

I have noticed that it affects my ability to read due to my attention span. My attention span tends to lack, I will be reading but not actually paying attention nor comprehending what I am reading. My mind tends to wander off. Relating to that, technology has really tended to imbed my focus. Something that I have really noticed is if someone is having a conversation with me while there is something on the tv or while I’m texting or scrolling through TikTok, I am so reeled in on the screen that it is like I cannot even hear what someone is saying to me.  Any type of notification shifts my focus which I feel leads to long lasting difficulties with paying attention. I feel as though it has led to deficient performance on academic and personal tasks.

Along with technology affecting my ability to focus it has affected my ability to write. When I am writing, even if I am really into what I am writing, all it takes is for one notification to catch my attention and then I am all thrown off. The transition from paper to screen has an impact on more than just how I read texts. Additionally, it influences the level of focus I give it and the extent of my immersion in it. Continuous digital reading impacts my ability to acquire deep reading abilities.

Technology is no exception to the rule that too much of a good thing can be detrimental. Technology has the capacity to enhance lives, but it can also wreck them if used excessively. Technology-based connections (like tinder, snapchat, instagram),  can create a false sense of intimacy since it’s so simple for people to lie about who they are. This can be extremely scary and dangerous. There have been many times where people will have what is called an internet friend, which is a person who you have never met in person, only over social media, and it could be come creepy middle aged man pretending to be a hot young boy or girl, and they find ways to lure you in, send explicit pictures, or even try and get you to meet up with them. It’s scary because you just simply don’t know, someone who you thought was young and friendly like you, can end up putting you in danger. It is also very scary how much technology has evolved. It is so easy for people to hack your social media accounts, bank accounts, etc. Many people still struggle with some kind of technology addiction, whether it is to video games, YouTube, or other social media.

When people use technology to avoid having in-person conversations, it has positive and negative aspects. A positive aspect to it is it can make it so much easier for people with social anxiety to make friends. I personally do not have social anxiety but I know some people that do and technology has helped them tremendously. For them, it is so much easier to start a conversation with people over text than it is in person. A negative aspect is that face-to-face interactions can be hampered by technology, which enables people to remain distant, ignore, or block one another when awkward issues are spoken. This happens more frequently than most people realize; sometimes, even though it’s not the easiest topic, it’s easier to compose a passive-aggressive message than to sit down and have a face-to-face talk. Avoiding awkward situations in real life may appear harmless, but in most circumstances, it can lead to problems in the future.

Although I feel for the people who struggle with social anxiety, I still agree with Carr because I have experienced some of his concerns like my ability to think, or read, or write, and noticing that my focus isn’t exactly on point. Part of me feels for the people with social anxiety because I know it is not easy. But at the same time, there are ways to help with social anxiety other than technology. I have never experienced social anxiety, but I do suffer with anxiety. I have found ways that help me other than technology. I found a passion for performing when I was 7 years old  and so many people ask me, “how do you not let your anxiety get the best of you when you are up on stage in front of so many people?” and my response is always the same, when I am up on stage, I am acting, so my mindset when I am up on stage is that I am not Caira, as soon as I enter the stage, I am in my character’s world and I get to show off what I love to do. This just proves that there are more ways to solve problems than returning back to technology, there is so much more to life than technology.