Final Blog Post

 In the year of 2023, technology has become very essential to our lives. Everything nowadays is updated to be via technology. You hear people everyday talk about technology everyday and how everyone is always on social media or their specific source of technology. It is so fascinating to see the growth and difference technology has become over the years. Technology has truly taken over everyones lives in this society to the point where many depend on it. 

In the video Futurama from 1964, it clearly made the viewers see how technology was starting to form and how it would be in the future. It gave me a sense of understanding how people knew technology was going to come to be as big as it now is. Throughout the video you go back and forth viewing the little boy's face and the world and how technology will impact it. You see how amazed he is to one day grow up and be in a world where technology is so essential and present in everyone's lives. It truly seemed as if he was fascinated with what was going to come and how unbelievable the visions of the new world once technology was present will be. I'm sure while he was on this ride he didn't think technology would be as essential as it is today. 

In the youtube video Mad World Remix of Moby you can see how much technology has affected the world. At any time people are always scrolling on their phones no matter what is going on in the world around them. You can clearly see in the video no matter how much is going on people are on their phone taking videos and pictures. In the video Mad World Remix of Moby it also highlights the theme of loneliness and people having fomo. You can see clearly throughout the video that when people are attached to their phones the people around them feel as if they are alone because they might be seeing something better through social media. This goes to show the unhealthy relationship people have in this society. 

After watching these two videos it is a clear difference of how amazed people back in 1964 were when technology was first coming out to now in the 21st century what people think of it and how negative it can impact people. Sometimes the usage of technology can make people feel very lonely and disclosed (FOMO). There was a huge difference from people first thinking this would be amazing to now, people sometimes suffering because of the excessive and reliable use people have with technology. 

My Technology Usage 

You may often hear the voice of your parents say “Get off your phone” or “Put your phone down”. This is because of the unhealthy use of technology people in our society use. I feel as if my usage of technology is unhealthy. I have spent many days and hours each day scrolling through social media to the point where it has become very unhealthy. There have been many times where I feel like I am empty without my phone in my hand. Social media and the usage of technology has become very reliable for me. I got my first phone when I was in fourth grade and ever since then have been dependent on technology.

My Family and Friends Technology Usage

As well as my usage of technology is unhealthy. I feel as if my friends and majority of the members in my family also rely on technology. There will be times where I hangout with my friends and we will all be in the same room just scrolling on our phones looking at social media. This is very unhealthy when we should be communicating with one another as well as valuing the moments we spent together. Also, my family depends on their phones as well. There have been many times my mom or sister have run around the house trying to find their phone and wondering where it might be, or sitting at the kitchen table together and all looking down at our phones. The one person in my family who I feel as if has a healthy relationship with technology is my dad. He is hardly ever on his phone and loves communicating with people face to face. This might be because he was raised in a time where he wasn't introduced to technology right away. He didn't get his first phone until he could get one for himself. This has allowed him to know in a time where technology is so present to not depend and rely on it. 

Positives of Technology 

Although many people who I surround myself with have an unhealthy usage with technology and their smartphones I do feel as if it can be beneficial at times. While trying to communicate and connect with family who live far away or friends when they are not present, having your phone where you can call or text them easily is very beneficial. For example, when I am away at school I am able to facetime my family as well as my friends from home and communicate with them over the phone. Without technology this wouldn't be possible. 

Digital Footprint 

You're digital footprint is anything you post or text on any form of technology or social media platform. Think about a time where you were thinking about something and seconds later an ad pops up. This goes to show that you're digital footprint is always with you and the internet can always hear you. Or when you post pictures of you and your friends that is you not only posting on social media but posting to your digital footprint. In my opinion I feel as if I have a pretty clear digital footprint. I am very aware of what I post on social media and feel as if it is essential to make sure you are posting and texting appropriate things. When you post something and realize you might not like it or it might not be the best thing to post you will go and “delete” it. You're Not actually “deleting” it. Once you post something it is on your digital footprint forever and won't go away. This is something that teens in this generation don't realize and think about before they post. After taking this course it has made me even more cautious than I already am about my digital footprint and always making sure I present myself properly on social media because whatever you post anyone can see.

Impact of Technology in 2023

Overall, in today's time, 2023 technology is so essential. Social media is so big and everyone now has a smartphone. I think in many aspects it is unhealthy and people abuse the usage of it and have very unhealthy relationships with social media but in some aspects it is very beneficial. Such as keeping in touch with others through texting and calling.  Technology has also been very beneficial for travelling purposes nad making it so easy with directions, or when going to a restaurant and you want to pick up your food and don't want to wait, there are many local food place chains that include a mobile order where you can just order food from your phone and can pick it up. Technology may be very unhealthy and negative in some aspects but in some others, very beneficial and helpful in this time period. Technology is also only enhancing further and further each day where I assume  many more new fascinating types of technology will come out to only increase the amount people depend on technology.