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Technology Changing What We Do & Who We Are

We live in a world that is extremely connected

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People from opposite ends of the Earth…

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…can communicate with just one click

Photo Source: Mashable – Underemplyed? Social Networking Can Help

Social networking is being integrated into our everyday lives

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Friends

“There are currently 1.2 billion Facebook users alone”

Source: Statistic Brain

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Handheld devices provide us with easy access

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“9 out of 10 North Americans own a mobile device”-FILM 260 Webinar 1 (2013)

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These technological advancements and being “plugged in” help us become more connected with the world around us

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But does it really?

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“Electronic devices…have an impact on the micro-cellular structure and complex biochemistry of our brains. And

that, in turn, affects our personality, our behaviour and our characteristics.” -Susan Greenfield

“The little devices…change not only what we do, but also who

we are”

Photo by: Christina (flickr)

-Sherry Turkle

It’s scary to think that these gadgets are changing us as we use them. But the truth is, they are!

Photo by: Lily Li (flickr)

Attention spans are shorter, personal communication skills are reduced and there's a marked reduction in

the ability to think abstractly. -Susan Greenfield

Technology is transforming education and how students learn

Photo by: klodhie (flickr)Source: Future U: fear and loathing in academia

Photo Source: Google Doodles

“The widespread use of search engines and online databases…

…has affected the way people remember information”

-Patricia Cohen

Technology can also affect our mental well-being

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“4 in 5 students had significant mental and

physical distress, panic, confusion and extreme

isolation when forced to unplug from technology

for an entire day”

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-Andrew Hough

They way we act in relationships is

changing as well

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Photo by: Deirdre McCormick (flickr)

Researchers have found that Facebook really is altering, or at least reflecting, new relationship

patterns -Allison McCann

Technology has improved our lives and made us more connected!

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Photo by: sminkly_pinky100 (In and Out) (flickr)

But it’s also causing face-to-face communications to break down

“When our communication

skills are gradually lessened, we begin spending less time

talking to families, experiencing more

daily stress, and feeling more lonely and

depressed”

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-Bob Affonso

“We have sacrificed conversation for mere connection, and have developed a new way of being

‘alone together’”

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-Sherry Turkle

We should embrace technology and use it for its benefits, but…

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…we should also remember to exercise our old fashioned

communication skills

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Take a break from technology every once and a while, and spend quality time with the

people you love!

Photo by: Debbie Wibowo (flickr)

Sources

Photo by: Yury Prokopenko (flickr)

‘Facebook fatigue’ and the aging social network by Justin Sullivanhttp://www.thestar.com/business/tech_news/2013/04/05/

facebook_fatigue_and_the_aging_social_network.html

Future U: fear and loathing in academia by Curt Hopkinshttp://arstechnica.com/business/2012/06/future-u-fear-and-loathing-in-

academia/Google Doodles

http://www.google.com/doodles/first-day-of-school-2012How Facebook Ruined Dating (And Breaking Up Too) by Allison McCann

http://www.buzzfeed.com/atmccann/how-facebook-ruined-dating-and-breaking-up-tooHow Technology Affects Us by Bob Affonso (Teen Ink Magazine)

http://teenink.com/opinion/social_issues_civics/article/166619/How-Technology-Affects-Us/

Internet Use Affects Memory, Study Finds by Patricia Cohenhttp://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/15/health/15memory.html?emc=eta1&_r=1&

Modern technology is changing the way our brains work, says neuroscientist by Susan Greenfield

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-565207/Modern-technology-changing- way-brains-work-says-neuroscientist.htmlSocial Networking Statistics by Statistic Brain

http://www.statisticbrain.com/social-networking-statistics/The Flight From Conversation by Sherry Turkle

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/22/opinion/sunday/the-flight-from-conversation.html?pagewanted=allStudent ‘addiction’ to technology ‘similar to drug cravings’, study finds by Andrew Hough

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/8436831/Student-addiction-to-technology-similar-to-drug-cravings-study-finds.html

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