Discussion: “Prisoners of the Wired World” Essay

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Technological advancements have improved how human beings interact and conduct their daily activities. However, the advancements have presented some major setbacks to humanity and society. Alan Lightman’s “Prisoners of the Wired World” explores how technological developments in various sectors have impacted the world and the people using it. The article’s thesis is that the dramatic development of high-speed communication technology has shaped the world, both for ill and good.

Lightman explores how technology has impacted various sectors to support his argument. According to Lightman, the inventions of communication technology have led to an obsession with speed, and a sense of information overload, among other disadvantages (Lightman, 2005). Furthermore, Lightman argues that technology is the sole cause of the capitalistic system in the U.S. Therefore, technology is detrimental to its users and the U.S. at large.

The article resonates with my personal belief that it is upon human beings to control the use of technology. Having been born in the age of technology, I can relate to Lightman’s argument on technology leading to impatience, among other negatives. For instance, I have witnessed some of my family members losing jobs due to technological integration at their workplaces. Although technology has improved life on Earth, it is associated with many societal problems that should be addressed.

Replies

Reply to Sara Wiley

Although it was obvious that Lightman would discuss the negative impact of technology, it was difficult to understand which specific area of technology he would focus on. The recent developments are broad, and it is tasking to discuss technological development as a whole. I thought the author would focus on how technology has impacted his profession since he started by narrating how idle he was before the rapid technological developments.

Reply to Maya Carter

I agree with your statement that technology has taken over our lives. Every day, human beings interact with technology in various capacities. As human beings, we have never found time to reflect on our thoughts. Many people use social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, among others, during their leisure time. However, some people misuse communication technology, leading to accidents. For instance, there are cases where drivers focus on social media posts when driving, leading to serious accidents. Therefore, it is prudent that human beings reflect on how technology helps them and how they can control its negative impacts.

Reference

Lightman, A. (2005). Prisoners of the Wired World. In A Sense of the Mysterious: Science and the Human Spirit. Pantheon Books.

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