Technology grants humanity the ability to be virtually connected in these contemporary times, but does it guarantee us physical interactions? How ironic it is for technology to promise more connection when we are not even more physically connected these days. This is one of the realizations that comes to my mind about how technological innovations, such as mobile phones, have a huge impact on this modern generation.

Introduction

You can call and text a person, read news articles and even e-books, watch movies and videos, listen to music and podcasts, and gather information you need just from our mobile phones. It’s like we have everything at our fingertips because of our smartphones. However, what really concerns me is how our phones badly influence us nowadays. Our phones really increase digital connections but decrease personal connections. I admit that I am also guilty of being part of those people who are too fond of their phones.

Based on the Technological Determinism Theory, technology molds the way individuals in a society think, feel, and act. From my observations, I can say that technology nowadays really influences humanity in general.

Technological Determinism Theory

How about those persons who are near to you, who want to connect with you personally, and who want to spend time with you? Do we subconsciously build barriers between ourselves and other people just because of how phones have become part of our lives? Do we somehow separate ourselves away from the real world? Look at how beautiful the physical world is, the people personally communicating with one another, the intimacy in shared experiences with those close to you.

The Beauty Of The Present

Within our family, I observed that somehow, every time we lie down in our beds, the only thing that is in our hands and that our eyes look at is our phones. What a shame! I wish we could spend more time together personally, with no distractions from our smartphones, and just share experiences with my family.

In conclusion, I just want to warn everyone, myself included, that we should not spend more time on our phones than with the people surrounding us and the physical and real world that we live in. Phones are just instruments for virtual connections, not a factor that separates us from the physical world and disconnects us physically from people near us.

Conclusion

I encourage everyone, including myself, to tap and talk to a friend personally, spend more time and share experiences with those close to us, behold the beauty of the Earth, and immerse ourselves more in the real and physical world, and not to let our phones consume our time and hinder us from living our lives meaningfully, because while we are still alive, we still have time; and while we still have time, we still have a chance.

My PERSONAL reflections about how technology affects the humanity in general these modern times

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The Effects of Mobile Phones on Individuals and Communities in the Light of Technological Determinism Theory

Upon reading Mark Pagel’s essay entitled “Does Globalization Mean We Will Become One Culture?”, there are points that I want to consider. It is the “cultural homogenization” that globalization may bring and the “one world” culture as its possible fate.

These are also the questions that comes to my mind that I also want to ponder and also give it some possible insightful answers: What is harmony? Can there be harmony in diversity? Is it really harmony when the world is in the process of cultural homogenization that leads to a “one world” culture as its possible fate? Does harmony means denying and losing one’s own differences just to fit in and be part of a united whole?

I somehow appreciate how beneficial globalization is because of its worldwide range of interconnectedness and mutuality between different people from different continents and countries. When we look at the Earth and its entirety, we already know that it is filled with billions of diverse cultures, traditions, beliefs, and values.

Globalization

Some of the things that add beauty to the Earth are its diversity and the pluralism of its people. It’s part of our human nature to be different, to be unique in our own ways. Additionally, I believe that our unique differences somehow give us a distinctive identity. However, what concerns me more is the possibility of cultural homogenization that it brings because it might subdue cultural diversity.

Cultural Homogenization

Pagel asserts that cultural homogenization may probably be a good thing even if it means the loss of cultural diversity, because he believes that “it increases our sense of togetherness via the sense of a shared culture” and it “is probably one of the few things that societies can do to increase harmony among ever more heterogeneous peoples.” However, I disagree with his assertion because I have my own and I believe it is an accurate view of what harmony is.

Pagel's View Of Harmony

For me, harmony consists of diverse elements, united and composed to become a whole. Each diverse element has different weaknesses, but their strengths are united and become stronger as a whole. I believe that in the beauty of diversity, there can be harmony. Additionally, you cannot harmonize alone and you cannot harmonize the same things.

My Own View Of Harmony

In harmony, everything is complementary and everything is united and becomes a whole without denying or losing their differences. Even the natural environment of the Earth is diverse but interconnected, mutually dependent on each other, united, and in harmony with each other, whether it’s the air, water, soil, plants, animals, and microorganisms, as well as the physical features of the planet like mountains, forests, rivers, and oceans.

The Natural Environment As An Analogy For Harmony

I believe that if something stays the same forever, it will lose its taste, especially if it is the Earth affected by cultural homogenization that may lead to a “one world” culture. That is the reason why I appreciate and embrace the beauty of diversity because it adds flavor to the world.

Cultural Homogenization vs. Cultural Diversity

Without cultural diversity, it is so hard to give distinction or distinguish what is unique in a world where everything is the same. That’s why I can say that I proudly advocate cultural diversity.

Cultural Diversity

In conclusion, I believe that there can still be harmony in cultural diversity. Harmony is not denying or losing one’s own differences to fit in or to feel belong. Harmony is gathering everyone, making them united and in cooperation with one another, helping one another, respecting one another and their differences, and to nurture the beauty of diversity.

My PERSONAL reflections and insights upon reading “Does Globalization Mean We Will Become One Culture?” by Mark Pagel.

The Effects of Mobile Phones on Individuals and Communities in the Light of Technological Determinism Theory

Globalization, Cultural Homogenization, and the "One World" culture.

Yrie Fernandez