Technology takes much time from a person, free time, and during increased employment. The presence of a smartphone is already a factor in fear of missing out, which becomes the only alternative to being distracted by browsing social networks, mail, news, or other applications on a smartphone, tablet, or even laptop (“How Better Tech Could Protect Us from Distraction | Tristan Harris”). The most dangerous thing, in this case, is that attention is differentiated into many small parts, each of which a person cannot control. Losing a few seconds of their lives to watch the tape, people cannot assess the scale of the harm since, at this moment, it is not very important.
However, in the long run of habit, it causes significant harm to relationships, mental health, parenting, and many other critical aspects for any person (“Technology Is Stealing Our Time and Attention. Here’s Why We Should Care”). I am sure that the rise of time management in relatively recent times was not only caused by an increase in the number of tasks and the need to complete them while at the same time looking after the health and work-life balance. The emergence of technologies capable of capturing attention with a narcotic effect, creating a feeling of being up-to-date with the world while rarely giving helpful information in return, has almost deprived a person of the ability to manage time effectively without resorting to third-party practices.
The focus of attention contributes to better development and functioning of memory. In addition, a person who does not exchange his attention too often for a smartphone can sleep longer and sounder (“Technology Is Stealing Our Time and Attention. Here’s Why We Should Care”). In this case, it is essential to preserve the possibility of choice and the existence of an alternative in building relationships with technologies without falling into the trap of use and fear. Harris’s focus and interruption system can only work if used responsibly. Still, its design is to increase that responsibility (“How Better Tech Could Protect Us from Distraction | Tristan Harris”). Consequently, people must learn to make choices and say no to wasteful pastimes, which will train willpower and fight the traps of modernity.
Works Cited
“How Better Tech Could Protect Us from Distraction | Tristan Harris.” YouTube, 2016. Web.
“Technology Is Stealing Our Time and Attention. Here’s Why We Should Care.” Gen-i. 2020. Web.