When it comes to the topic of whether technology is beneficial or not to our society, most of us will readily agree that technology is great and will help mankind for the best. Where this agreement usually ends however, is on the question of whether technology is really hurting our society. Where some are convinced that technology is the future and will help human evolution, others maintain the viewpoint that technology is ruining our human skill sets (reading, writing, and thinking) and eventually will be our downfall. The documentary "Digital Nation" directed and produced by Rachel Dretzin helps set the stage for a battle that every person is facing today, and that battle is whether technology is good or bad for us. In "Digital Nation" Dretzin addresses the issues such as the effects of technology in family life; If technology effects our social lives; If technology is beneficial to our education system?; Plus many other issues in regards to the idea of whether technology is beneficial or not. Of coarse, with every issue presented, you will be presented with two sides, and in the documentry "Digital Nation" it does a great job of demostrating boths sides of the argument. For example, there is one side that states that technology is creating a wide variety of opportunities for us and is beneficial to our society. Examples of this can be portrayed in the documentary with regards to the military. The military now uses technology to help soldiers cope is post war problems such as anxiety by using simulations to help them deal with anxiety symptoms. The other side to this however, is that the military also uses technological warfare to help create and recruit soldiers. The military now uses video games in recruitment process and have created soldiers that fight battles without ever being in one with the help of technology. This lone example presents a variety of issues that we can question such as is technology making us less human? Will technology be used for bad purposes? Will Technology become an addiction? But truthfully, technology is like any tool that humans discovered. In that, technology is a tool that humans discovered, this tool can benefit us but this tool can also hurt us, but in the end this tool will be something that evolves us.
After I watched the documentary "Digital Nation", it made me think about my personal life and how technology had an influence on it. I use technology everyday, I have a cell phone, computer, ipod, and camera. These items I use everyday, and without them I would really miss them. But do these devices hinder my writing skills, socializing skills, deep thinking skills, or other traits that make me human? My reply would be yes and no. Yes in the aspect that I do not write as much as I use to, and I do have troubles siting down reading long passages without getting distracted. No in the fact that I have adjusted to these problems but eliminating distractions and using these technologies responsibly. Because in my opinion technology can only affect the person who is willing to give in to the technology. To further explain, I believe technology can be beneficial only if the person uses it in a responsible manner. Technology can hurt a person if they use it for instant gratification (such as checking facebook/email, texting in class, etc) and if they rely on technology which will eventually lead to addiction. In addition, they will not be able to live without it. Technology is beneficial, but only if you let it be. To quote Professor Sharry Turkle who is in "Digital nation" she states, "Technology challenges us to assert our human values, after we figure out what they are, which isn't easy." I believe this message to be very true in that Technology doesn't change us physically or mentally. Its our responsibility to use technology for it's true benefits and that's to move humanity forward. Sharry Turkle's words best quotes technology in that "Technology isn't good or bad but its powerful."
