Each generation undeniably gets infatuated with some element that unequivocally classifies the individuals of the time period. Technology has defined our current generation, but this is not necessarily a bad thing. The use of technology and the progressions we have seen do have the right intentions. The advancements are intended to help education, communication, productivity, identification and creativity. The debate over whether humans have become too reliant on technology has become more and more prevalent for humans. Based on extensive research, scholarly sources and documented articles, as of right now, our generation is not too dependent on technology, however if and when our community begins to abuse it is when it could rise to become problematic. Technology is a dominant part of human life. The positive aspects it has given to modern life has improved the quality of existence immensely. With the advancements we have seen in the technology field there have been improvements in efficiency, production, education, communication, and so many more. It is a distinct fact that we appreciate the advancements in technology and the way it contributes to everyday life, however if we are not cautious and attentive, it is possible that we could become consumed by the easygoing lifestyle it has to offer.

The question on our usage of technology has become one of the biggest debates of our time period. On one debate source, "Have People Become Overly Dependent on Technology?", a blogger says, “I have heard people say that life is way harder without technology. We know this, but technology was created to make life easier, that is the main purpose. Just because we might rely on something does not mean we can't live without it. Sure it will be harder since we are used to it, but not impossible.” Nothing is impossible. No one in their sound mind would ask our generation to give up technology, it has become a vital tool and plays a great part in our lives. However, it is just as important that we use it right. Christian Lous Lange, a political figure from Norway, was one of the leaders in creating stronger economic and political collaboration around the world. He once said, “Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master.” Christian Lous Lange uses a powerful metaphor to catch the audience’s attention and to make his point that technology is undoubtedly beneficial and will work in our favor if we treat it right. However, if technology was to take control over our society and we began to abuse it, letting it take over our lives, by becoming ‘the master’ we would end up living in an unpredictable world. The term master refers to a higher power authority in which people obey and serve below. In Lange’s quote, we would be enslaved to technology, which is a frightening idea. A world completely controlled by technology would give humans no control or say in any events that may occur, but we can prevent this whole heartedly by managing our future dependence. 

In Steven M. Shugan’s scholarly article, “The Impact of Advancing Technology on Marketing and Academic Research” she claims, “As technology advances, it might be possible to foresee some more enduring trends and focus research on future issues rather than on past issues. With the help of technology, companies have seen declines in cost by utilizing different, simpler strategies that have allowed companies to use their resources more efficiently (469).” Companies benefit greatly from technology. With the help of technology, manufacturing has become a much simpler process. There is actually irony in the word manufacturing. The word ‘manu’ means using your hands, but our current generation is highly automated and most the production is done by robots and computers. Advancements such as the internet, 3D printing and robots have allowed for greater production in a much shorter time span. Tedious, effortless tasks that would have been done by man are now easily accomplished with the use of robots. Companies are able to lower their costs of production while producing the same, if not more products at an equal quality. If one was to compare the similarities and differences in companies and businesses even just thirty years ago, there would be a staggering gap. With a lack of email, internet, smartphones and mobile marketing businesses relied heavily on commoners and the people of their town to contribute to their sales and profits. Now, businesses can blossom, potentially becoming international, such as so many chain restaurants. Companies are able to communicate easily among businesses nationwide and globally.   

Computers and the use of the internet in schools have benefitted children to become more accessible to an education. According to the article, “10 Reasons Today's Students NEED Technology in the Classroom", Ashley Wainwright explains the significance of technology, especially in learning environments. On an international level, our population has seen a much higher number of children becoming students, pursuing careers of greater worth than they could without an education. Technology has allowed for a stronger education system, which has benefitted our society as a whole. The scholarly article, "Children, Wired – for Better and for Worse", states, is that there is a grave difference between what is referred to as ‘Educational Media’ and ‘Entertainment Media’. The authors; Daphne C. Bavelier, Shawn Green and Matthew W. G. Dye conducted studies that showed how some television programs have assisted in obtaining greater knowledge. They say, “‘Sesame Street’, which premiered in 1969, has been repeatedly associated with various positive outcomes such as school readiness, vocabulary size and numeracy skills. Relatively newer programs such as ‘Blue’s Clues’, ‘Dora the Explorer’, and ‘Clifford the Big Red Dog’, have also been correlated with positive outcomes such as greater vocabulary and higher expressive language skills.” A specific study on a group of randomized children proved that literacy skills of those who watched ‘Sesame Street’ over a science based show, were indeed higher. The aspiration of a more promising future can significantly be dedicated to the advancements in technology.

Back in the 1800’s communication was carried out in the forms of letters. Letters were not only slow, but one could never really be sure if the message had gotten to its intended destination. The unreliability of the modes of communication undoubtedly led to the innovations that have given our generation texting, emailing, automobiles and social media. Not only in personal life, the revolutions in technology involving communication have affected businesses on an even greater scale. Customer support and satisfaction, along with internal communications have seen astonishing improvements. Some will argue that technology has created an anti social community, when in fact it is supposed to make people social. However, this is untrue. Face to face contact may have decreased, but people stay in contact with eachother much more than they would have with smartphones and the internet. Modes of communication have become much more effortless and simple; therefore people are willing to do it. By leaving more time in the day for other activities, it gives us incentive to shoot a quick text, email, or contact one another on different types of social media. In the article produced by South University, “A Culture of Smartphone Dependence" they say, “Over half of U.S. adults--56% to be exact--now own a smartphone, according to the Pew Research Center. And according to an IDC Research report, 18 to 44 year olds who own smartphones spend in excess of two hours a day communicating with people via messaging or social media on their phones”. The two hours could seem like a lot of time, but more likely than not, people are multitasking. Our generation is not really known to sit and text or call, we are currently moving. Whether that means running errands, doing household chores or engaging in homework, we have become expert multitaskers. It could be said that we live in a too fast paced world, but that is what we have become, that does not mean that is a downfall of technology. It helps us to accomplish more things efficiently, which is in no way a human weakness. 

While technology has shown its importance and relevance in our society, some people will argue that it has completely taken over human contact. In the Ted Talk, Connected, but alone?,  Sherry Turkle mentions a conversation she has with a young man, he says ““Someday, someday but certainly not now, I would like to learn how to have a conversation…” This eighteen year old was addicted to his phone, and while says “he would like to learn how to have a conversation” in reality what are the odds that he puts his phone down and actually tries to have an exchange with another person. In her lecture, Sherry Turkle explains that she does believe the advancements in technology are useful, but our generation needs physical interaction. We need to be careful how dependent we become on technology because our world was made for humans. If technology takes it over humanity will truly be lost. 

In Nicholas Carr’s article, “Are We Becoming Too reliant on Computers?” he investigates whether technology has taken over the need for human existence. He says, “Computers continue their inexorable advance, software is taking over sophisticated jobs in fields as various as accounting and medicine, architecture and law.” Technology may be taking over certain jobs, but on the other hand it also is a cause for more jobs to become available. Carr claims that the danger the lies within technology is not taking over the need for humans, but the amount of dependency we have on it. For example, breakthroughs of technology in the health fields have saved a countless number of lives internationally. MRI machines introduced in 1973, Cardiac pacemakers in 1958 and the first kidney transplant in 1954 are just a few revolutions that have altered our world on an impressive scale. Doctors are able to use methods of exceptional efficiency that permit them to treat people with more confidence in a shorter amount of time. Inevitably, this save the lives of millions, billions and even trillions of people who, beforehand, would not have stood a chance. According to the scholarly article published by the Hong Kong Journal of Emergency Medicine, The Impact of Medical Technology on Healthcare Today, “Medical technology has in this instance helped reduce morbidity and mortality from medial errors by providing electronic prescriptions that allow physicians to know if there is drug-drug or drug-food interaction”. Just this research alone has prevented potential deathly reactions or illnesses. The danger of the usage of technology lies with how much reliance is put on the innovations in healthcare, not practicing it in general. A level of trust must be entrusted with the technology, but how much? Doctors and scientists can never truly account for an unforeseen error that could easily arise. The blog by the CEO of Psych Central, John M. Grohol, “Why Reliance on Technology is a Bad Thing” goes into depth about the uncertainty of technology. Grohol begins by saying, “As a tool, a computer is a useful aid” explaining the limitless ways technology has helped us to reach such a successful society that we are at today. However, not long after explaining the positive aspects, he says, “as a foundation for an important enconomic pillar in our country, I suspect we’re pushing the envelope of sane thinking. There is no such thing as an unhackable computer system. There is no such thing as a 24/7/365 computer system (despite what some companies claim). And until there is, putting all of your eggs into a computerized future seems a bit short-sighted to me”. Robots and computers must be double checked, to make sure the information presented is valid and sound. One cannot always count on a computer to turn on or to avoid glitches. They are a powerful tool that are used heavily in the medical field, but physicians must not rely too much on them. Therefore, it is essential that the technology is used as a ‘helper’, and aid to assist the practices of a doctor. While the developments have undeniably shown astounding reports, and should continue to be used to cure those who are unwell, we must be careful of the extent to which we trust technology. 

According to the article, “Here Is When Each Generation Begins and Ends, According to Facts, “there are five distinct generational boundaries leading up to the year 2000; the Greatest Generation, the Baby Boomers, Generation X, Generation Y and the Millennials. In the last ten or so years, in which technology has progressed immensely, a claim can be made that our generation is enchanted by technology. Our generations reliance on technology has become extremely controversial; whether we have too much dependency on advancements that are intended to assist and alleviate obstacles that we endure. Even back in the years of Albert Einstein, over sixty years ago, he said, “It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.” This aspect of community has only progressed. Scientists and manufacturers generate new ideas and produce new products daily, never mind over a sixty year span. Some of the greatest revelations since Einstein’s time are; the Internet, Laptops, digital music and CDs. These products allowed humans to display and begin to demonstrate a more creative and expressive side that was not necessarily considered conventional behavior. It gave people a greater freedom to discover their identity. Giving kids and adults a means of expression that was unorthodox, yet groundbreaking, resulted in a community that is much more diverse and accepting over race, sex, ethnicity and background. Given the chance to research and study other nations, genders, ethnic groups and cultures, people were given an opportunity to be who they wanted.       

Technology is an aspect of our society that defines us, we can’t make due without it. We’ve strayed too far from the sketches on paper, the hands on washing and the letters in a bottle. We live a more automated lifestyle. At this point, we need to accept this fact, we can not go back and change time, but we can prepare for the future. We have seen the remarkable transformation in the field of technology just within the last few decades, and there is only more to come. Past generations never would have believed that we would be given the ability to go to the moon, surf the internet on a smartphone, nevertheless take digital pictures and post them up on social media. Truly remarkable innovations that have only made us more connected as a society. What lies ahead is not only enticing, but frightening. What will the next big idea, revolution be? We do not know until that time has come. However, in order to prevent the dangers that so many people are concerned about it is of utmost importance that we are aware of how dependent we have become. Right now, we use technology as a tool, which is its purpose, in spite of that we can easily fall into the trap and become too invested, stripping us of our humanity.

  

 