Technology & Our Lives

Carr discusses how technology is such a major part off every human beings lives. He says that “the Web is so essential to their work and social lives that even if they wanted to escape the network they could not” (199). I have to agree with Carr. Almost everything that we do revolves around the Internet.

The Internet is home to many helpful and harmful portals. Almost anything in the world that has been discovered or thought can be found somewhere on the Internet. It is so vast that one can’t even fathom how many websites it holds. If you can’t remember the name of an actor but you have your phone on you it can be quickly Googled. If you’re lost and need directions, you can Google them. The Internet is such a major part of our lives that Google has become a verb.

We often use the Internet without even realizing that we are doing so. With the invention of smart phones the Internet is used for almost every application. Some cars even have the Internet built into their dashboards. If we can make it through class without having to take a break to check Facebook or Twitter we run straight to the computer when we get home. After all, you never know who has posted a witty status, who broke up with whom, and who made a fool of themselves this weekend until you take a look for yourself.

Schoolwork can’t even be completed without the use of the Internet anymore. In order to conduct research we have turned to the Internet to find our reliable sources. Having to go to the library, check out a book and read it is tedious when you can use Google to find the same information. Without the Internet teachers wouldn’t be able to email their students sudden and important information they need to know before the next class.

People even use the Internet to lose weight. Weight loss programs such as weightwatchers are primarily conducted online.  The Internet is convenient. You don’t need to call someone to tell them what you ate you can simply track it online and see what else you can afford to eat in the day.

The Internet has also replaced movie stores leaving them almost obsolete. With website such as Netflix, there is no need for them. When go to the store when you can sit on your couch with your remote and browse thousands of movies and tv shows? If you’re too lazy or busy to go food shopping you can order your grocery list online and have the items delivered to your house. If you want pizza and don’t feel like picking up your phone to place an order you can go online and submit it without having to talk to anyone.

Our society is so reliant on the Internet that it is scary to think of what would happen if it suddenly disappeared or stopped working. While the Internet is convenient and a great resource we need to admit that without it we would be in major trouble and would have a hard time figuring out what to do with ourselves. 

Nikki Gaspari