The amount of screen time that occupied the 24-hour workday drastically increased over a decade from 2007 to 2017, taking up to approximately 80% of our own personal time by screens —“our sacred time where our humanity lives” -Adam Alter
Something that spoke out to me was the idea of “stopping cues”. If we really pause and reflect on the advances of technology up to date, we would realize that it is a never -ending mind game. Usually the stopping cues allows us actually stop, take a break, do something remotely active, at least until the next season or sequel to the movie. But with social media there is constantly something going on to keep you latched on, leaving you feeling as if you’re always missing out on something if you’re not on your phone. All theses sources of social media are endless, keeping you scrolling and scrolling until the day goes by just like that — and by the time you’ve come to your senses, it’s already time for bed.
How can we bring back stopping cues?
Adam said it best. Since our daily lives consist of different tasks and priorities, it’s rather difficult to set a time period dedicated to stay off our phones. Instead we have to set our own stopping cues. At the dinner table for example, we should make it a habit to never touch our phones. It may be tempting at first but eventually you overcome the withdrawal as life suddenly becomes more interesting and you start to ask yourself why you haven’t realized sooner.
The idea of electronic tattoos is pretty deep when you think about it. Usually, when you ask someone about their tattoo, they tell you what it means to them, likewise, what is says about them on a more personal level, their values, beliefs, interests and whatnot.
Now, when you look into the advancements of modern technology, the possibilities are endless. Everyone’s life is out there on the internet one way or another — especially with the developments of face recognition, there’s no where to hide.
As social media revolves around all these celebrities and influencers, their lives become dependent on other people’s opinions and eventually they do anything and everything to please everyone else. In a sense it’s mainly for the fame, the money and the support which may seem t first like it’s towards self benefits but all it really leads to is self destruction.
All the comments on their photos eventually become embedded into their skin— a tattoo. And instead of creating their own story, they are being written into one by everyone else watching. So those same people we idolize and constantly keep up to date with on social media; do we even know them the way we think we do?
Digital Security Divide – Apple vs. Android
Christopher Soghoian talks about the important of security and the difference of privledges provided by Apple in comparison to Google. Owners of Apple devices are ultimately protected by default, encrypting calls, texts, and other data without requiring the user to do anything.
So the question is, what does this mean for society?
Due to the high expenses associated with Apple devices, it is safe to assume that the owners are more commonly among the rich. And the rest of the population that is more concerned with settling for a more affordable phone— those who aren’t willing to spend about a $1000 just on a Apple phone. But the high value of such a product reflects many things including its advanced security system, protected even from the government. This divides the world of technology between the “rich” and the “poor”.
Android users, commonly used among the “poor” are more likely to be targeted by the state using surveillance, keeping the rich safe and far from suspicion. Surveillance is a tool used by those with power against those with no power. Everyone deserves the same benefits of encryption and privacy —“it’s civil rights and democracy problem, not just a privacy and cyber security problem.” -Christopher Soghoian
Ruhma's World 