Guest Editorial 

Is Technology a Help or Hindrance? 

By Carlton Holliday Jr. 

With 2013 quickly approaching, who knew that we would be where we are today? Living in a world where scientific and technological advancements have made everything in life much more convenient and quicker, but is this to our advantage?

Technology has offered us things that we may not recognize and take for granted.  Like the ability to secure our homes with alarm systems, do research on a project or even play a game on our cell phones to relieve us from boredom.  I always laugh and wonder why people actually go and become contestants on the reality show “Survivor”.  To give up life without a home and technology to me seems absurd.

We, as humans, face a slew of problems probably never faced or recognized in neither ancient civilizations nor only 50 years ago.  These people were not introduced to these gadgets that are such a huge part of our everyday lives. It has become second nature to check our phones throughout the day. Some people even suffer from insomnia because they lie in bed browsing the web from their phones. The art of using Standard English is steadily being compromised with misspellings and inappropriate abbreviations.

Technology has become one of the biggest changes to human life.  Today we have the means and access to produce some of the most sophisticated gadgets.  Televisions, iPods and cellular phones are some of the newer inventions, and many older people are neither familiar with nor capable of using these things.  To this day, my great-grandmother still doesn't have a cell phone. She has never sent a text message.  She is unaware of the importance of cell phones and doesn't consider them a necessity.  Regardless of how hard I try to explain the importance of a cell phone, and the perks of having one, she still disagrees with my decision to pay a $100 monthly bill.

Technology has drastically changed human life and has made everything so convenient.  It has become very easy to browse the web, attend class without ever leaving home, video chat with friends in other cities, flip through hundreds of channels with the push of a button on a remote control, and even make phone calls to someone thousands of miles away.  Technological advancements have shaped our lives in ways unimaginable.  It is very difficult to even fathom life without these items of luxury.

People have become so addicted to cell phones; they are the most common drug. Everyone has one.  When a person breaks or loses a cell phone, they feel empty.  A person's cell phone is like their connection to the outside world.  It is their primary form of communication and connects them to others in a quick second.  With texting, email and social media a cell phone instantly connects a person to friends with the click of a button. People readily admit that their cell phone is their best friend, and they hardly go anywhere without them. At first, the prevailing stereotype was that only teenagers were constantly texting or talking on their phones.  However, this characteristic is evident regardless of the age group. Very rarely do you see a person who isn't addicted to their toys.

Technology has affected how we communicate with one another.  People have become less social.  Instead of looking up while walking, being pleasant and actually acknowledging and speaking to a passers-by, people walk with their heads and eyes glued to cell phones and iPods.  I think that technology has made most people withdrawn.  It has given individuals a false perception of reality as people tend to live a fantasy life because of the virtual world of cyberspace. Social media has made it difficult for some people to separate reality from fantasy.

Thanks to social media sites such as Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter people have a false idea on who 'friends' are. There is a lack of privacy as both truth and lies can be spread in just one upload.  A person's information can be easily hacked and there are online predators actively searching for their next victim. 

Technology hasn't been all bad. With the help of technology and progress in the field of medicine, we have found cures for many illnesses and health conditions that cost so many their lives.  Scientist still actively searched for cures for both AIDS and cancer that are both pandemics and affect many.  It would be completely inhumane to not try and better our welfare and health through the use of technology.

Technology has brought both progress and hardships. It has prompted both wonderful and horrible changes in society. And can do the same to you, depending on how you use or abuse it.