Sherbaz khan

Professor Hughes
02-03-2016

Our daily life and dependence on technology

Albert Einstein once said It has become appallingly obvious that our technology
has exceeded our humanity. Technology by definition is the practical application of
knowledge. These days, technology is in everything and is everywhere. People say we are
not dependent on it we just use it for our convenience. We use some form of technology
in almost everything we do and often we dont even notice, so are we really dependent
on technology? Yes, I believe we are extremely dependent on our phones, computers
and different type of technological devices. Although people think technology makes life
easier, it is actually making them overly dependent on their electronic tools. Yes, it is
true that technology makes life easier. Actually, technology has made our life more
comfortable and easier because we can access information easily and it can help us save
time. Some technologies also help us communicate with our friends and relatives who
are far from us. It is because of technology that people find medicines to cure different
kinds of diseases. Even though technology have done good things for human beings, it
also has many consequences. We dont use our brains anymore because of technology.
For example, many people no longer memorize phone numbers because their cell
phones have a contact list which makes memorization unnecessary. Another example is
how GPS affects our natural ability to navigate. When we use GPS, we remember less
about the places we go and put less work into generating our own internal picture of the
world. From the article gray matter, it is likely that the more we rely on technology to

find our way, the less we build up our cognitive maps.(Frankenstein) The human brain
is most sensitive and could be under threat from the modern world. Electronic devices
have an impact on our brain, and that affects our personality, behavior and
characteristics. So, we lose the creativity that comes from a mind that knows and
remembers lot. Technology is leading teenagers to obesity and poor academic
performance. For instance, children spend too much time at home playing computer
games and watching TV instead of reading books and being outside with friends. This
causes the teens to spend less time with their families and friends, which is resulting in
an alarming increase of teenage depression. John Cawely mentioned, television
viewing and video/computer game use, in particular, bear much of the responsibility for
the increased prevalence of obesity in American youth (351). In term of education,
students are now also using too much modern devices for their studying. For example,
for simple calculations they use portable calculators. They also take advantage of the
internet to do assignments without many efforts.
Moreover, In one of the studies of students perceptions, 65% of the students said
they try not to use cell phones in classroom, yet 53% of them said they use to for texting
in class (Elder). According to researchers from the Miriam hospital, study found
freshmen women were spending nearly 12 hours a day texting, using the Internet for
social media networking, or listening to music and watching videos. Researchers found
much of this high use of media was associated with lower grade point averages (GPAs)
and other negative academic outcomes. (Red orbit). So a regular habit of using
technology for more than three hours a day can cause problems in a teenage life.
Technology makes life harder. Many people think that technology just brings us good

things and makes our life easier. However, it doesnt always generate good things and it
also makes our life harder. For example, machines are replacing human beings.
Technology today is moving so quickly no one can predict what jobs will be in demand
in the future because robots, automation, machines and softwares are replacing people.
According to MIT technology review, rapid technological change has been destroying
jobs faster than it is creating them (technologyreview.com).This creates
unemployment and crime. Technology is also the reason of rising road accidents. The
number of pedestrians dying in accidents is increasing because of cell phone distraction.
58% of pedestrian deaths are the teenagers under the age of 19 and researchers say that
these accidents are mainly caused by cell phone or other technological distraction
(Lewis).
Dependence on technology also leads to be a victim of cyber crime. It is easier
than ever to be a victim of identity theft. The internet has made it easier for anyone to
meet strangers online, who can trick people to give their personal information. This is
why so many people are getting their computers hacked and their identity stolen. In
addition, technology is harmful when it comes to invention of weapons. Technology
causes people to become lazier, uninspired, less creative and dependent. If we have a
major disaster or world crisis, it will be interesting to see how people survive without
their technology. As technology advances, ask yourself if you need to slow down. Stand
up and exercise that brain of yours. Dont become a victim of laziness.

Work Cited
Cawley, John. The oxford handbook of the social science of obesity. New York. Oxford
University press, 2014. Print.
ELDER, ANASTASIA D. "College Students' Cell Phone Use, Beliefs, And Effects On
Their Learning." College Student Journal 47.4 (2013): 585592. Academic
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Complete. Web. 2nd March, 2016.

Frankenstein, Julia. Is GPS all in our heads? nytimes.com. New York times company.
2015. Web. 2nd March, 2016.
LEWIS, KRISTIN. "You Phone Could Ruin Your Life." Scholastic Scope 63.7 (2015): 49.
Academic Search Complete. Web. 2nd March, 2016.
Suciu, Peter. Social media linked to poor academic performance. Redorbit.com.
Orbit. 2002-2015. Web. 2nd March, 2016.
Technology review. Massachusetts institute of technology. 2015. Web. 2 nd March, 2016.