This semester has been very interesting, and has caused me to think a lot about the effects of technology. Overall, I think that this week’s readings, and most of the readings we’ve done throughout the course, indicate that technology allows people to communicate more easily and more often, but that the quality and depth of communication goes down.
I would definitely define myself as a “networked individual,” because technology has allowed me to keep in contact with a great deal of people. In fact, I would agree with Rainie and Wellman that networked individualism gives us “new ways to solve problems and meet social needs” (p. 9). I am in many Facebook groups to glean knowledge about varying parts of business and photography, but I rarely contribute with my own knowledge. I am so busy that my participation in any community is rushed. Networked individualists have a variety of resources at their fingertips, but they have a hard time being in a close community because of their time binds (Rainie and Wellman, p. 125). I thought that their inclusion of the Pope’s quote was very interesting as well- he echoes my thoughts that technology is good, but that people need to take a step back and experience people in real life (p. 127).
Two other areas I found specifically interesting were the teenage texting study and Baym and Hall’s thoughts on mobile maintenance. Baym and Hall wrote that as we text and call a friend more, we are expected to keep up that communication (326). I never would have thought that there was a specific expectation attached to that. If anything, I would have assumed that the more I text someone and contact them, the more I expect them to contact me and reach out to me. The statistics about teenagers texting and driving were very scary. Every single one of my closest high school friends caused an accident in the first few years of their driving, and many of them were irresponsible behind the wheel. It’s amazing how texting is so much more important than not only other people’s lives, but their own personal safety. I think that shows a lot about how high of a priority we place on technology.
We’ve talked a lot about the theory of technological determinism and addicition to technology. Your example of texting and driving is an excellente example. It’s true that we all have the power to choose whether or not to text and drive. Baym would probably say that the onus is on the individual not text and drive. But that doesn’t take away the fact that teens text and drive or help solve the problem of texting and driving. Clearly people, especially teens, are struggling to stop this bad habit. Most people admit that texting and driving is dangerous and that they shoudn’t do it. Yet they don’t have to will power to stop. Modern technology and devices may not cause addiction, but their attributes may increase our likelihood to develop bad habits.
Like you, I also use technology to keep in contact with certain people, primarily friends and family. This greatly helps with checking up on how they’re doing or what they’re currently up to. Also, in agreement with what you stated, I found the teenage texting area of Baym and Hall’s studies to be fascinating. However, it also concerned me as to how vulgar or crude some of the texts were. The offensiveness of some teen-texts were particularly concerning and disturbing. The younger generation doesn’t need any help in becoming immoral.
The study of texting and driving is very scary! I knew a girl who dided in a awful car accident because she was texting. Its crazy how teens seem to ignore the warnings of texting and driving. It would be interesting to research on why people text and drive even though they know the dangers.