Nowadays, many people, even the elderly people are familiar with using modern technology like computer and smartphones. It is not a strange thinig for us. Every day, we spend about one to two hours on modern electronic devices. How do you spend your time? Communicating with others? Playing computer games? Searching for information? My focus here is to discuss whether modern technology has shortened the distance between people.
I can tell modern technology has shortened and lengthened the distance between people at the same time. Why has it shortened the distance? With the growth of modern technology, some apps are also built like WhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter and so forth. These apps can provide a platform for people to communicate with others, like friends, families and even strangers. We can actually talk to our friends without a phone call or going out to meet them. With a few messages, we can already communicate. It looks good, doesn’t it?
Yet, haven’t you met this kind of scenarios? For instance, you and your friends go out for lunch, but both of you do not talk at all. Both of you are using smartphones to type texts to others. Or, without the smartphone, you don’t know and simply cannot talk to your friends well. Throughout the whole lunch session, you can only utter a few words. If you have this kind of experience, have you ever thought about why?
It is also one of the effects caused by modern technology. It’s true that modern technology seems to shorten the distance between people, but it does bring harm to us at the same time. While we are using the apps to communicate with others, we may also build up a habit of communicating with others by texts or using the device only. When we need to have a dialogue with others, we may easily use texts, even with the people just right next to us. Or we may just keep using smartphones while others are talking to us. This type of attitude is rude and bossy, and will leave a bad image to others, like we are arrogant or we turn a deaf ear to whatever others say. Distance shortened? No, of course.
Also, modern technology can help shorten our distance with others, strangers included. With technological advancements, we get connected with the cyber network. Some bad people may harm us if we are not cautious enough. Crimes in the cyber world are not uncommon. We may become the victims and overtime, we will not be willing to trust others, resulting in a widened gap with others. Distance lengthened.
To conclude, we can actually see how modern technology helps shorten and lengthen our distance with others. Everything has both sides. While we are using the technology to build a bridge to get close to others, we should not forget there are still risks. We should pay more attention and make sure we won’t fall victim to the traps. To be concise, when technology is used wisely, it’s a blessing to humankind