This week in class we talked a lot about how Emerson and Thoreau stressed simplicity. Their view on technology and our dependence on it is completely different from my view now. During the mid to late 1800's, technology was looked at as a distraction by "naturalists" like Thoreau. The values and ethics of the time period are expressed in Thoreau's writing. "We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn, which does not forsake us in our soundest sleep."- David Thoreau. I think he's trying to say we should stay true to ourselves and not let our modern luxuries run our lives. Thoreau saw that people were relying more on what could make their lives easier, rather than what would make their lives more fulfilling.
I won't say that technology is ruining our culture, but it definitely has the potential. Millions of people abuse the luxuries we do have and just kind of go through the motions without enjoying what's around them. Instead of going out to enjoy the world, many people are content with sitting at home and watching it on tv. it's just not the same. I think we need to find a happy medium to balance out the equation. It's almost a fact that in our culture today, technology is a necessity for our progression as a nation but not for our survival. I believe i could live and enjoy nature just as Thoreau did for a year, it would just be extremely challenging because of the lifestyle I'm used to. By the end of the experiment, i think i would understand myself a bit better and understand what i really wanted to do with the rest of my life. I think it would be a life changing experience. At the same time, I'm not gonna be the first one to volunteer for that because i think i have a good grasp on reality as it is.
Very true, I feel technology is very essential to us but i also believe we tend to abuse it at times.
ReplyDeleteI think that technology is turning from a convenience to a necessity. I wouldn't be the first person to volunteer for the experiment either. It would be too hard to function in our society without being able to communicate with other people.
ReplyDeleteI think that I can agree that it is on the verge of running our lives! But only to some degree. I go out all of the time and enjoy myself without worrying about my phone, but then some of my friend invite me over for a movie, and I would do that too! But that would only depend on my mood. i thikn a survey should be conducted about how many people actually do leisure activites outside if their homes.
ReplyDeleteI agree that technology is very useful to our daily lives, but if we abuse it too much it could take over our lives.
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