Taking advantage of technology, not vice versa
by Eric Shaver
Published: March 15,2010
Time posted: 7:21 am
Tags: Boise Young Professionals, Eric Shaver
Eric Shaver
Last month, PBS aired the Frontline episode, “Digital Nation,” which investigated the influence of the Internet and digital media on 21st century life. The correspondents and those interviewed highlighted several good and bad illustrative examples – many of which readily resonate in our daily lives.
Earlier this year, Edge posed the following question for thought leaders, and average individuals alike, to consider: “How is the Internet changing the way you think?” The Internet has become so pervasive in our everyday lives that, for many of us, we can hardly remember how we existed without it – let alone how it impacts our thinking. But is that really a good thing?
The previous examples are attempts to critically evaluate how technology impacts our lives. These implications, however, do not end with us as individuals. They also extend to our families, friends, society and the planet. When viewed from that vantage point, how can we not ponder the question?
Technology is value-neutral. There is nothing inherently positive or negative about a given technology. Instead, its value is derived from how it is employed. Thus, technology should serve a purpose beyond itself – ideally by fulfilling a human, societal or environmental need.
Technological innovations, like the Internet and digital media, can be incredibly useful. They provide access to a wide variety of information; can be visually engaging and immersive; and increase connectedness, interactivity and collaboration. But they also have a dark side. They can lead to information overload; increase levels of distraction and disruption; cause excessive multitasking; diminish our critical thinking ability; jeopardize privacy; and increase security risks.
So what is the solution? The following five suggestions are a starting point to assess and correct how technology influences your life.
Evaluate how technology impacts your life. Is a new piece of technology really adding value to your life? Or is it being used for some less worthy purpose? While there is nothing wrong with using technology as a temporary escape, it becomes a problem when used on a regular basis as an unhealthy coping mechanism to escape life’s challenges.
Be willing to discard unnecessary technology. We often get so personally invested in using a piece of technology that we are unable to divorce ourselves from it.
Abandon technology that is unusable or too complex. With the strides made in designing technology to meet the needs of people, there is no reason why an individual should need to adapt to poorly designed technology.
Strive for a balance between your technological and ordinary life. There is nothing wrong with using technology to stay connected with work or for recreational engagement. But remain mindful of how it may interfere with the important things in your life (e.g., family, friends, community, etc.).
Allow yourself to “unplug” periodically. I know this is a scary thought for some people. However, stepping away occasionally from the Internet, e-mail, and social media, along with the technology used to access them, won’t kill you. It might even provide an opportunity to appreciate some of the simpler things in life and personally reconnect with people important to you.
Technology can be a wonderful addition to one’s life, but only if it is appropriately designed and thoughtfully embraced in a manner that prevents it from taking over and consuming daily interactions.
Eric F. Shaver is a senior consultant with Benchmark Research & Safety Inc., a human factors and ergonomics consulting firm, and blogs at The Human Factor Advocate (www.thehumanfactorblog.com). He is also the chair of the Community & Civic Involvement work team for the Boise Young Professionals.
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March 15th, 2010 at 11:25 am
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March 15th, 2010 at 2:39 pm
Well put. As much as I love seeing the very day business take advantage of highly efficient and powerful technologies to communicate, for some technology has become a false sense of magic. Over investment in that which is fallible can be catastrophe on a titanic level.
March 15th, 2010 at 4:37 pm
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