Throughout the article 'Hooked on Technology, and Paying a Price', Matt
Richtel demonstrates the effects of excess technology use today in a typical American
family. Kord Campbell is a successful businessman who struggles with multitasking and
escaping his unconscious actions of excessive technology use. His inescapable habits
have taken a toll on his family life and also have affected his children significantly.
Richtel argues that the evolution of technology and its abundance of new gadgets have
caused a lack of engagement in everyday life, and has become a hardship for all to
reconnect with the important things in life. Through Richtel's application of kairos and
the stasis theory, he argues the conflicts associated with the infatuation of technology in
today's society in an effective manner.

Richtel demonstrates kairos through the strong need for today's people to have the
latest up to date technology in front of them at all times. Everyday Mr. Campbell sits in
front of two monitors while managing his work and trying to stay in touch with the latest
social media. He is bombarded with an 'electronic flood: two computer screens alive
with email, instant messages, online chats, a web browser and the computer code he is
writing'(Richtel 88). Richtel's pressing argument conveys the severity of a typical
Americans daily use of technology. The excessive exposure of technology to humans has
caused many to overlook important messages, lose track of time, and most importantly be
disengaged from their family life. Mr. Campbell is not alone, he is just one of the
millions of Americans who has revolved their lives around technology. The timeliness of
this argument is more apparent then ever as many deny the amount of time they actually
spend in front of a screen. Richtel explains that, 'scientists say juggling email, phone
calls and other incoming information can change how people think and behave' (88). He
demands a sense of urgency in that it is important for individuals to realize that this solely
does not affect them but those around them. Mr. Campbell's wife is saddened by him no
longer being able to focus on the important things due to his constant yearning for more
technology. Richtel's conveys the timeliness and urgency of his argument through the
negative effects of technology that have taken over many individuals' lives.

Through Richtel's application of kairos, he demands a sense of urgency in that the
excessive exposure of technology to humans is now extending to the younger generations
and taking over their lives as well. Mr. Campbell's son Connor has been doing poor in
school due to the distraction of electronics and his daughter Lily is often on any small
gadget she can find. Richtel argues 'researchers worry that constant digital simulation
like this creates attention problems for children with brains that are still developing' (93).
The disconnect to the real world seen in many adults has affected children and they are
missing out on developing social skills and performing well in school. Richtel implores a
sense of urgency in that a child's brain is still developing and it is critical to develop
lifelong skills now to be successful later on in life. The Campbell family is often seen
together in the same room like any typical family would be enjoying each other's
company. However, instead, everyone is focused on video games, their phones, or surfing
the Internet. Clifford Nass who is a communications professor at Standard explains, 'the
way we become more human is by paying attention to each other' it shows how much
you care' (94). Simple human interaction has become a struggle for many. The adults of
today's society have revolved their lives around their work and use of technology. Richtel
illustrates this has become a trickle-down effect and has extended to the younger
generations. He demonstrates his awareness of this vast issue through his application of
kairos and the urgency of this issue.

Although Richtel implores the negative effects of the obsessive use of technology
in today's society, and understands presenting to a large audience there is both the
negatives and the positives regarding technology. Mr. Campbell serves as a prime
example for one who has centered his life on technology and goes through withdrawal
until he can pick up his next device. However, 'technology use can benefit the brain is
some ways' imaging studies show the brains of internet users become more efficient at
finding information'(89). Although this may counter argue Richtel's argument, he
explains that technology is like anything in life and must be used in moderation; or else
this will result in overuse and lead to an addiction. Richtel states that the debate will
continue until concrete evidence is discovered to determine whether technology is
helping or harming the human brain. He advises many to work on having restraint against
constantly having the need or desire to check the Internet, email, or social media. Steven
Yantis, a brain sciences professor at Johns Hopkins University explains that it is still too
early to determine if the changes in the brain are a result from technology. Mr. Campbell
and like many others, is far past the point of moderation. He simply cannot get enough.
Richtel conveys through the stasis theory that the usage of technology has its negative
and positive effects when all used in moderation.

Multitasking has become a norm among the individual's in today's society.
Richtel explains the issue of multitasking through the stasis theory and the complex life
of Mr. Campbell. Mr. Campbell is seen daily in front of large and small screens and can
barely handle the loss of Internet connection on his 22-second train ride. People today are
under the belief they are excellent at multitasking and it makes their lives easier and more
successful. However, when put to the test, multitaskers do not perform as well as the non-
multitaskers do. In a study conducted by Eyal Ophir, a researcher from Stanford
University, he explains that, 'the multitaskers took longer than non-multitaskers to switch
among tasks' and were shown to be less efficient at juggling problems'(91). As a result,
multitasking does not serve to make life easier but rather is a distraction and lack of
engagement. This eventually will take a toll on many relationships and families. Richtel
explains, 'The kind of disconnection Mr. Campbell experiences is not an entirely new
problem' in the earlier eras, people can become so lost in work' that they fail to pay
attention to family'(93). Richtel conveys that there are many negative affects surrounding
technology, but the large disconnect that is coming between families is one of the largest
issues. As for the Campbell's there is no such thing as family vacations anymore due to
Mr. Campbell's obsession and need to be in the know 24/7.

Throughout the article 'Hooked on Technology, and Paying a Price', Richtel
conveys the obsession and misuse of technology through the stasis theory and kairos. He
demonstrates the negative effects of technology and when someone similar to Kord
Campbell abuses the abundance of technology. This ultimately causes a lack of focus in
all areas of life. Families no longer spend quality time with one another because everyone
is plugged in to their own little world of technology. Today's generation of children are
lacking social interaction and their use of electronics may cause problems with brain
development. Although there is still being research done on whether or not technology is
the reason for a change in brain material, the negative effects of technology will continue
to expand to new generations and the problem will never cease unless there is change.

