Millions of Americans now own and operate smart electric gadgets like GPS, iPhone, Blackberry, Android Phone or Tablet, iPad etc. Are these gadgets making us any smarter? Are we depending little too much on these gadgets? Are we missing the big picture in our life? These are some very good questions to consider. If you spend some time thinking about these questions, you can decide for yourself.
Let’s analyze the GPS, driver’s best friend now a day. We can find any and all address precisely almost all of the time, even in the confusing downtown roads with one way driving only. It may be great tool in times of need, but it may be holding you back. How? Well, when someone drives with the guidance from GPS, they rely on GPS to take them to the right place. Some drivers are often too dependent and don’t pay much attention to the roads. These drivers may have to use the GPS again if they have to go back to the same address. How many trips you need to take before you can find the location on your own and without the guidance of GPS? One, two, or too many?
You may be too attached to your new iPhone 4S. Siri can answer your questions and performs like a secretary sometimes. Or, you may own Samsung Infuse, HTC Amaze, or Motorola Atrix. You may love the big screen of your smart phones and use more than couple of hours on the smart phone simply to use the allocated data. Are you learning anything useful during this time? If it was entertainment time, do you have other sources of entertainment? Is talking on the phone the least useful feature of your phone?
The idea of writing this article came to me when my Blackberry phones died. My first Blackberry phone was Pearl. I used it for two years and then had a Blackberry Curve. Another two years have passed; I bought a Nokia E71x. Being a fulltime Blackberry user for 4 years, I miss the ease of PDA in Blackberry. Nokia phone has the option but not as quick and easy as Blackberry. Now, I try to remember the small things that are need to know. If I get another blackberry, I will just keeping everything in the phone. Now I am confused if it is making me smarter or depended. The question for you: how do you keep your meetings listed? Will you be able to attend all meetings if your PDA is lost? Even worse, will you be able to organize your plans without your phone? What about the phone numbers? How many numbers do you know by heart? Not many people memorize the phone numbers now days. Don’t be surprised if you know anyone who only does not know any numbers by heart beside 911, 611, 511, and 411.
There are millions of APPs to choose from whether it is iOS or Android based. You can keep yourself occupied with your Smarter phones, iPad or Android tablets all day long. What would you do if there were no APPS? Do you know anyone who would rather spend the time with the smarter gadgets instead of being with friends? Are you too focused on your iPad that you did not even say a complete sentence with the person sitting next to you? Is the addiction to the smart gadgets killing social communication ability? Are we content with the interaction on Facebook and other social network and do not bother to have an outdoor gathering?
And there are the not so new smart technologies that keep you occupied. To me, watching TV for short amount of time is important so I can always be relaxed and productive. When you spend many hours watching TV on a daily basis, and hence, day dreaming, you may want to do the reality check. Are you on the right track when you are not into the TV program? For some of my friends, playing games is the only important activity beside work. At job, they hang out with colleagues who have similar gaming interest. Are you like them, just play games online and do not bother to interact with other people that much? How about some physical activity like outdoor games?
You may have already thought about these questions. You may have already figured out the answers as well. That is great. If these questions made you think, keep thinking. Just keep in mind: I am not against technology or technological growth. I am just posing a reality check about where your pathway leading you. Let the usefulness of the technology not block our five senses.