Our Relationship with Technology

Everywhere you go there is bound to be someone, normally a teenager, who will have a mobile phone plastered to their hand or a pair of headphones in their ears (with the music blasted so loud that it is impossible to make any “human” contact with them). This is the way of our generation. Are we so reliant on technology that we separate ourselves from the world? Mobile phones give us the ability to contact others and we are easily reachable. Most mobiles have internet access, a camera and games. Why would you need to write a letter when you can send a text message? Instead of studying with books, all the information you need is on a computer: with just a few strokes on a keyboard, you will have all the information you will ever need. Almost every family in Australia will have a computer or a television in the house and, even when you watch the T.V as a family, you don’t really spend quality time with each other. Even tiring chores around the house have been ‘’technologised”. Instead of using the sink, soap and a sponge, we have a dishwasher. When it comes to cleaning our clothes, there is a washing machine. Technology has mostly made our lives easier and convenient but seriously: we are so reliant on technology. It’s just pathetic. 

I detest the idea of people texting each other while standing in the same room! Going for a jog without an iPod plugged in? *GASP* IMPOSSIBLE! Some people will be in the car – and would have been driving for a while – before realising their mobile is back at home … and will actually turn back to get it because it wouldn’t be possible to go a WHOLE day without it. Who knows … soon, someone will probably invent a machine to think for you! Personally, I like reading books. I like having pages to flip through … These days, you can just download books off the Internet: where is the fun in reading if it means your eyes are glued to a screen? What’s going on in the world? What happened to the good ol’ days where receiving a letter in the mail would make your day? What happened to live music? Our world is turning into a giant ball of factories, roads and metal. EW. Instead of staying cooped up inside the house watching T.V, GO OUTSIDE. Spend some time with nature! Recently, I got back from a one month trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, where I was not allowed to bring my phone or iPod. I actually thought I wouldn’t survive… however, being without my mobile for so long inspired me to write postcards to family and friends: I found this fun and interesting. I was able to enjoy the time and really take in my big, new surroundings. 

Some form of technology is used in basically everything: school, dance lessons, weddings, shopping, driving, exercise and even funerals … does that make you think about your relationship with technology? How would you do without technology for a month? Try it. Maybe you will like 
it: maybe not, but it’s worth a try. Otherwise, our world will become a giant globe run by robots!

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