The New Generation

I recently read an article about teens believing that cell phones have become more important to them than the clothes they wear. This is according to a national survey given by the wireless trade association CTIA and Harris Interactive, http://tech.msn.com/news/articlecnet.aspx?cp-documentid=10363010. They surveyed 2000 teens; the survey was called “Teenagers: A Generation Unplugged”. Some of the teens also believed that you can judge a person’s popularity based on the cell phone that person uses. Adolescents represent a new and important market for cell phone use; the article states that about 80 percent of teens carry a cell phone. This has gone up from 40 percent in 2004. That statistic alone says speaks a lot about the new generation. Half of the teens who took that survey stated that their cell phone is the key to their social lives.


I think that article is intriguing . Teenagers are so consumed by their phone that, it has come to a point where they are defined by the phone they use. The more high tech and attractive the phone, the more popular and rich you are perceived to be. Wow, is the only comment that I can express. If this is truly the case, I should begin to wonder how I am perceived because I surely do not have the latest and highly technologically advanced cell phone. I am the type of person who just needs something that functions.
I believe this generation is definitely unplugged. I believe this because the teenagers have literally grown up in the “mobile” era. The first commercial cell phone service began in October of 1983 (CTIA). Cell phones have been something we grew up knowing about, the age of the users are getting younger. I personally have seen 7, 8, and 9 year olds with them. What can they do with a cell phone? Technology has become an adolescent’s primary form of entertainment. They are unplugged from the social world, and plugged into the technological world of internet, video games, and cell phones.


In relation back to class, it’s interesting how regular telephones are now seen as an “invisible technology” (Unit 3), which means that we don’t really have enthusiasm or skepticism for it now; it’s a sign of a mature technology. However, the cell phone has now been becoming more and more prevalent, necessary and has become a defining factor of social status among our youth according to the survey. It surely causes for skepticism about the level of performance and abilities which can be a disadvantage of computer mediated communications that were discussed in class. With it comes, lack of personal skills, and sometimes can become a huge consumer of time.

Yellowstone and Cell Phones

Just when I thought the need for cell phones couldn’t any worse I read an article at http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/09/17/yellowstone.cellphones.ap/index.html called “Yellowstone seeks to balance nature, cell phones”. This article stated that in order to balance the competing demands for cell phone service and the tranquility of Yellowstone National Park, the Yellowstone officials decided to draft a plan to guide the development of wireless service in the park. This plan was also created in order to have wireless and cell phone services in larger developmental areas with stores and hotels. Many assessments say that this plan could have a potential negative effect on the threatened endangered species, and the wilderness. Are we willing as a society to risk the danger of wildlife for service for technology? This is a question we all must ponder.

As I examined this article, I noticed that the title of the article in itself explains the excessive use of the cell phone. Cell phone use has become like second nature, they’re so necessary that without them we are unable to function correctly. Therefore, it seems to me that the need to expand wireless and cell phone service has become more important than the observance of beauty and tranquility of nature. I believe that this is also an example of how computer mediated communications is disconnecting us from the outside world. I feel this way because it seems as if the world has such a need for technology that we miss connection to the living. What really is the point of going to the America’s first national park if a person’s possible main concern is the availability of wireless and cell phone services? Although this type of service is necessary, it is interesting the extensive planning and time consumption that comes with making it so obtainable. This plan is not only to make sure people have a memorable time inhaling the fragrance of nature or enjoying the scenery of Old Faithful (the park’s most visited site), but also the courtesies of communication technology.

In relation back to my electronic communications class, Thurlow and Brown (2003) support an idea of the notion of communication imperative. This implies that humans even at birth are driven to increase their communication satisfaction and interaction. So we try to overcome any obstacles that may prevent us from having technology readily available in any way. In relation to this article the need for service was necessary so a plan was drawn out in order to satisfy the visitor’s “necessity”.

Stop Hiding!

Recently in my electronic communications class we have been discussing how technology has been replacing interpersonal interaction in relationships. Online relationships have flourished since the advancement of the internet. More and more relationships are being formed through the internet, e-mails, and text messages. There are some advantages and disadvantages of this. Advantages of this would be being able to truly see a person’s inner qualities and see them for who they really are rather than going off physical attraction. Disadvantages would be that information can easily be misinterpreted. A connection can be in lack because you are not able to see the other person.


So now the question is, have I experienced this? The answer is yes, I personally have experienced the “electronic” relationship. It began with a text message, and has continued to be that way till now. It seems to be that I am more comfortable just talking to this person over the phone and texting rather than seeing this person face-to-face. When we actually met in person for the first time, it was an awkward experience simply because the same reactions and feelings that were expressed over the phone I could not express in person. There was no computer screen or phone to hide behind; it was up close and personal. Preferably I would have liked to have met first to begin the relationship in order to alleviate any fears and speculations.


In another instance I found myself using the cell phone as a way to escape nervousness or making eye contact with someone I didn’t want to talk to. When I feel uncomfortable in foreign places, I have the tendency to use my phone as my security blanket; automatically I open my phone and act as if I am texting someone or surfing the net. I do this subconsciously and it’s interesting how dependent on my phone I am in situations such as this. By me using my phone to hide my nervousness, it is directly cutting me out of social interaction. It cuts of the possibility of potential relationships being formed and may portray to me as being antisocial and consumed by this device. I seriously need to find an alternative method to dealing with this because if not I may miss out on someone who’s worthy of forming a relationship with.

But I digress and said all that to say this, stop hiding behind cell phones and computer screens!

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Today we watched an episode of the first season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. After viewing the episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer it is interesting to see how prevalent the usage of computer was even in 1997. It seemed to be that the computers were not as technologically advanced but yet had the same effect on human behavior in society as computers do now. Computers are becoming so dominant that society has lost the desire for intimacy of face to face conversation, or relationships. Some say society can not survive without computer because of the dependence that has been created due excessive usage. A specific quote from one of the characters was “If you’re not jacked in, you’re not alive”. The internet has a way of drawing in the user in a way that causes them to browse and investigate deeper into the net. In this particular episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, one of the characters Willow, was manipulated by technology. The demon that was scanned into the computer could symbolized the internet and how people can be controlled by a computer. The demon in the computer tricked Willow into believing that she was in love with a gentleman who consistently sent her e-mails and instant messages. Creating relationships such as those can cause for harmful circumstances and contact with predators. In another instance from this episode the obedience to the computer resulted in a ruthless and demanding act, suicide. Dave, the computer nerd's obsession lead to him being brainwashed by the computer, which then resulted in death.

CMC as time moves on will become more and more antisocial because personal communication is limited because of the use of the internet. Once people have been disconnected from society due to their connection and obsession with a computer, and are no longer socially efficient, you can then be left with the feeling of isolation. This episode is the perfect example of how computers are taking over the world. The advance in computer science has taken the place of books, letter writing, and individual interactions. Knowledge used to be dominantly obtained by reading a book and hands on contact. The librarian Rupert stated that “Knowledge should be tangible”, you should be able to smell and feel the texture of the pages. Now the internet makes research easier and faster. In the future the more that technology advances the more people will have an excuse to not leave the house. We will be confined by the computer, having it make important life decisions and disconnecting us from the society while yet keeping us connected to the world through the computer screen.