Attached to technology and paying the price

We have become too dependent on technology, says the writer

By guest blogger Mulaifa T. Sigubu

Millions of BlackBerry users across the world were infuriated when there was an outage of internet service including sending and receiving emails as well as instant messaging on the phone.

Research In Motion Ltd, the Canadian smartphone manufacturer, said a vital link in its European infrastructure failed on Monday, and a backup did not work either. The underlying problem has been resolved, but the issue of built up backlog of e-mails and messages the company has yet to work on it.

Meanwhile, thousands of BlackBerry users vented their rage on Twitter, stating that “It is World Mental Health Day and BlackBerry users are going mental!” It seems like BlackBerry outage has proved beyond doubt that consumers at large are now heavily dependent on technology and are now paying the price.

 Some experts believe extreme use of the Internet, cell phones and other technologies can cause users to become more impatient, impulsive, forgetful and even more self-absorbed. Users are paying a price in terms of our cognitive life because of the virtual lifestyle.  

 As users we spend a lot of time with our devices, and some studies have suggested that excessive dependence on cell phones and the Internet is akin to an addiction. As far fetched as this might sound, I was down in the dumps when my BlackBerry was not functioning.

 The withdrawal symptoms were just too great to endure. 

  The society has become almost utterly dependant on technology. A friend of mine once told me that technology was designed in a way that once you become used to it, it then becomes virtually impossible to live without. Every generation is uncomfortable with the next generation as they move into uncharted territory. Beyond a certain level, one just cannot attach any importance to the criticisms about new tech.

Technology is here to stay, and the smartest option would be to use it properly to further the development of mankind.

However, one need not to be too attached to it lest it malfunctions one will be left to carry the blunt.

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