HOW IS TECHNOLOGYDESTROYING OUR MINDS,BODIES AND COMMUNITIES

Contemporary Social Issues

Carlos Vega

Agenda• Introduction • Issues presented in society • Conflict theory & Sociological theory • Dependency or necessity?• Now, and then• Rise of the social media • Decrease in jobs• Mind, body and community• Future generation• Solutions

Introduction• One can always agree that thanks to technology advancements we have many of the luxuries we

do now.

• One must also be aware of the risks that technology present. Humans have become to co-

dependant on technology.

• Examples: iphones, tablets, computers, video games, tv, etc.

• According to an article from Psychminds.com,

• “Our brains are becoming rewired to suit these technological times. It has been found that older

people have longer attention spans than younger people. This is most probably because they have

not had their brains molded and shaped by social media technology.” (Psychminds.com, 2016).

Video•https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HffWFd_6bJ0

Conflict Theory • Conflict theory arise in communities that are affected by

minimal segregation of power and wealth. Those with little power and wealth have little say. Communities arise to protest such indifferences.

• “Conflict theory states that tensions and conflicts arise when resources, status, and power are unevenly distributed between groups in society, and that these conflicts become the engine for social change. In this context, power can be understood as control of material resources and accumulated wealth, control of politics and the institutions.” (Sociology.about, 2016).

Sociological Theory • The sociological theory can be related to this issue

because it understands the true meaning of the problem that society is facing. Being able to apprehend such forecast can be useful for future data analyzation.

• "Sociological theory is defined...as a set of interrelated ideas that allow for the systematization of knowledge of the social world.  This knowledge is then used to explain the social world and make predictions about the future of the social world.“ (Umsl.com, 2016).

Dependency or Necessity?

• More than 15 years ago technology was still an obsolete concept that was starting to become more and more practical to every day living.

• Now technology is still being used for that and more, in fact we are becoming very dependent on our technology use.

• “Thirty years ago, 90% of the kids were outside getting oxygen and playing sports. In addition, they were building forts and enjoying life. In this day an age, more than 75% of our children are playing video games and staying indoors.”

• (Psu.edu., 2016).

Then and Now…

•http://www.whoishostingthis.com/resources/internet-history-video/

The rise of social media• In the midst of a technology based society, comes the

social media powered by facebook, snapchat, Instagram, twitter and more.

• Social media has become the main communication system for most teens.

• “Teenagers spoke about the pressure they felt to make themselves available 24/7, and the resulting anxiety if they did not respond immediately to texts or posts.” (The Guardian, 2016).

• Teenagers feel pressured to fit in and be liked by everyone, therefore they feel like they need to be connected at all times, creating anxiety and self esteem problems

Jobs on the decline?• “In fact, some 47% of present jobs in the US could be computerized in the next 10 to 20 years,

according to an Oxford University study published in 2013.” (Business insider, 2016).

• Technology has evolved so much that it is now endangering the jobs of many people, due to the efficiency and low labour cost of machine operated equipment.

• With everything at the reach of your fingertips, it makes it harder for people to keep up. Being able to order clothes online, go grocery shopping online, books, games, etc.

The Mind, The Body andThe Community

•The Mind:• The brain, in other words, is malleable - not just in early childhood but right up to early

adulthood, and, in certain instances, beyond. The surrounding environment has a huge impact both on the way our brains develop and how that brain is transformed into a unique human mind. (Daily Mail, 2016).

• Technology is influencing our minds so much, that our actual brain is becoming rewired to depend on technology.

• For example, the ability to do a simple math calculation, Is now a difficult thing to do on your own, because people are so dependent on always having a calculator in hand.

The Mind, The Body andThe Community Cont…•The Body:

• Technology does not only affect our brains but it also has a toll on our physical body.

• “Recent research by New York spine surgeon Kenneth Hansraj found that our constant Instagram scrolling and incessant text messaging may be hurting our backs. The study found that when you tilt your head 60 degrees to stare at your phone, you’re putting 60 pounds of pressure on your neck.” (Huffingtopost, 2016).

The Mind, The Body andThe Community Cont…•The Community:

• The community is falling short to challenge technology, we instead are following a perpetual line that is leading us further and further away from truly connecting with each other and connecting with our environment.

• “Until we get better at that, I think we're cooked, we're going to continue to extinct species and we're going to continue to dig the hole deeper of the whole eco-social crisis” (The Guardian, 2016).

Future Generations• Many parents nowadays must face the technology

advancements and must be able to limit their infants to the use of technology.

• Too many parents opt out for the idea of the babysitting T.V., which can lead to negative impacts on a child’s up bringing.

• Being able to care for you children is the primary job as a parents, facilitating children with iphones, tablets, computers at a young age can lead to serious mental problems and social deficiencies

Solutions • Better time management• Keep updated with new trends• Create time to spend with family and

friends• Schedules for the internet for children• Preventing early technology

dependency on children• Realizing the true effects behind the

shallow social media world• Get out more and read more!

references• http://psychminds.com/is-the-internet-destroying-our-attentions-span/• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HffWFd_6bJ0• http://sociology.about.com/od/Sociological-Theory/a/Conflict-Theory.htm• http://www.umsl.edu/~keelr/3210/3210_lectures/what_is_soc_theory.html#credits• https://sites.psu.edu/siowfa15/2015/10/23/is-society-too-dependent-on-computersphones/• http://www.whoishostingthis.com/resources/internet-history-video/• http://

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/sep/16/social-media-mental-health-teenagers-government-pshe-lessons

• http://www.businessinsider.com/technology-is-destroying-jobs-and-it-could-spur-a-global-crisis-2015-6• http://

www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-565207/Modern-technology-changing-way-brains-work-says-neuroscientist.html

• http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/05/health-effects-of-technol_n_6263120.html• http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/technology-stopped-evolution-destroying-world

References• Psych.com. (2013). Is the internet destroying our attention span? -

Psychminds Everyday Psychological Discussions. Retrieved March 30, 2016, from http://psychminds.com/is-the-internet-destroying-our-attentions-span/

• A. (2014). 5 Crazy Ways Social Media Is Changing Your Brain Right Now. Retrieved March 30, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HffWFd_6bJ0

• About Education. (n.d.). What Is Conflict Theory? Retrieved March 30, 2016, from http://sociology.about.com/od/Sociological-Theory/a/Conflict-Theory.htm

• Umsl.com. (2015). What is Sociological Theory? Retrieved March 30, 2016, from http://www.umsl.edu/~keelr/3210/3210_lectures/what_is_soc_theory.html#credits