Monday, September 10, 2012

Article of the Week-Period 5

Write a 3-5 sentence reaction to the following essay. Be sure to reference the article. Aim to get your voice across. Comment on a classmates post if you have something to add/ say.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/26/technology/cutting-the-digital-lifeline-and-finding-serenity.html?pagewanted=all

or here:


http://kellygallagher.org/resources/AoW%2012_02%20Turn%20Off%20Phone.pdf











27 comments:

  1. I completely agree with the author on the idea that cutting out technology may be a huge stress saver. Often I find myself not paying attention to my phone for hours at a time, and during that time I am thoroughly enjoying myself. When I look at it I may see a few new texts about one activity or another but looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing about what I spent my time doing. The most annoying thing to me is when I’m spending my time with a friend and they’re more preoccupied with their phone. For obvious reasons, I think it’s rude and disrespectful. I hope that the authors theory that, “we [will] grow accustomed to our devices and…the people who use them [will] mature” will come true and our society won’t be so dependent on our technology and re-enter the world of social politeness.

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  2. It is scary how we rely on our phones so much for social media every day. Whenever I'm at school, a party, or even with my friends, I always see people, especially teenagers, with their phones in their hands looking down at the screen. In the article it says, "Social media sites... can cause people to exaggerate or feel the need to brag about their daily lives..." When you are on a site like Facebook or Twitter, all people are looking for what someone else is doing or thinking, which tends to not be the truth sometimes. I believe that people should take breaks from their phones every once in a while. Not only are they taking over peoples' lives, but they can also be hurtful to your health, since it can weaken your eyesight and even give you headaches. "'Ask yourself: How important is this, really? How happy does it actually make you?,'" said Wilhelm Hofmann, an assistant professor who studies behavioral science at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

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  3. I thought this article was very true and painted a pretty good picture of what many think is an addiction we seem to have. The article says something that makes complete and total sense, and if this article has made you thought differently about your friends I think that is sad.This article states that we focus too much time on knowing everyone else's business and are too stimulated with all of the information that we receive. Very basic facts presented to us in a drawn out article trying to over complicate a simple idea. This being, try and curb time spent on your phone and absorb the world around you, not the world of those around you, but your own. The article did share my opinion of phone use though, Enjoy life for what it is and enjoy the moments around you with those who are with you, not Do stuff with people and then show it to some other people and hope someone likes/comments on it. So, I really did like this article, but i thought that the basis of the enitire article was best said in this one sentance,"Ask yourself: How important is this, really? How happy does it actually make you?".

    Steve Z.
    period 5

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  4. Recently, I have been doing much of what this article has suggested including turning off my phone for various periods of time while I am spending time to myself or spending time with friends. After the fact, I notice that sometimes people think I am upset at them or have died when I don’t answer my phone on a Friday night. In addition, I have deleted my twitter because I felt that I could be spending my time more productively. Consequently, I have found that I am having more genuine conversations with friends instead of thinking, “I saw that on twitter.” However, I have considered deleting my Facebook profile and cannot do it because Facebook has become such an important tool in the process of communicating with people. Facebook is the most efficient way to get information to a group of people since many people are unreliable when it comes to checking their email addresses. Still, for no reason whatsoever, I check Facebook to see what people (some I don’t even know) have been up to.

    Griffin S. P.5

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  5. I completely agree with the author of this article. As the daughter of a restaurant-owner, I see the effects of digital connection daily. As soon as customers are seated, they immediately take their phones out of their pockets and start texting or checking social networking sites. Sometimes, they are so engrossed in their digital life that they forget about reality and need to place their order! There are also six and seven year olds who come up to me at the counter and ask, “What is the WiFi password?” I did not even know what “WiFi” was when I was that age. It is obvious that our smartphones and other devices have become a big part of our lives, but to what extent are they actually necessary? I agree with that Joshua Gross says about modern society being “overcommunicated.” I think that people nowadays concentrate too much about what is on their cellphones, and do not think about what they can do instead in their free time. Everyone, especially adolescents, is missing out on what life has to offer, just because they are too busy staring at digital screens.

    Lianne Y, Per. 5

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  6. I agree with the author that technology has become too big of a part of our lives today. We have grown much too dependent and addicted to our cell phones and computers to the point where it has gotten literally unhealthy and harmful. It has gotten to the point where people get anxious when they are without their phones. I am too attached to my phone as well, and I do find that I get headaches when I am on it for too long. I have been trying to not use my phone as much, and I think that I've benefited from it. The use of cell phones seems to have made our society "overcommunicated" as Joshua Gross said in the article. He also said in the article, "There is simply too much information flowing across our devices at any moment..." This seems to distract people from their daily lives and what is actually important. I thought that the article was best summed up when the author said, "...reminded me of the charm of a life less connected — one that doesn’t need to be photographed or recorded, or compared with anyone else’s." I think society would greatly benefit from turing their phones off more often, and taking advantage of life's opportunities.

    Haley K. Period 5

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  7. I agree with the author completely that modern society is “overcommunicated.” There is much pressure from our culture to constantly post on social networks our every move. Personally, I try to avoid posting statuses to social networks because I feel it is nobody’s business what I am doing. The same can’t be said about the countless teens who are always staring at their phone at parties and during school. It is frustrating when a student is constantly checking his or her phone during class. Part of the reason that people are so attached to their phones is due to a lack of self-control. Society today is much different than the one our grandparents grew up in. For example, my grandmother is often confused on how to perform certain tasks on the computer while my sister and I can do it with ease. Although change is sometimes beneficial and needed, this change to an increasingly technology based society seems to have more harms than benefits. Every so often, people need to put down their phone and “harness that feeling of pride…and stick to it” because to what extent is using your phone actually necessary and important? It seems that human relationships in your life should take priority, not the one with your phone.
    David E Period 5

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    Replies
    1. Good points- let's bring up this concept of "self-control" in class. It's great to see a teenager valuing human relationships:)

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  8. I find myself doing many of the things that this article states, including ignoring my phone for periods of time, putting it away somewhere, or not bringing it with me when I do certain activities. I think a lot of what this article talks about applies directly to our generation because we've grown up with many technological advances and we tend to be the first, and most proficient, at using them. If you observed the typical student at Branford High for one day, I can almost promise that you'd find them on their smartphone, checking Twitter and Instagram, at least five throughout the six hour school day. Though I am also prisoner of doing that, I make it a habit to have specific times when I put the phone away and focus on more important things. For instance, I get started on my homework as soon as I come home from school and I typically do not allow myself to use my phone until I have finished it all. Also, I have practice most nights during the week and I keep my phone off until I come home later that night to make sure I am focused on what I need to do doing. Though humans are becoming so reliant on technology and even, obsessed in a way, it's crucial that we make time for the simple and important things in life such as true conversation and relationships with those close to us.

    Sarah C. Period 5

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  9. I believe that this article is right about how people are too dependent on their phones, but I believe the bigger problem is social networks like Twitter. Personally, I think if someone is in the company of others, unless they have a call (it could be an emergency), people should not they should not be checking their phone because it is extremely rude and will make that person feel like they aren't important enough for you. Twitter is a problem because everyone is always posting what they're doing practically every minute of the day which wastes their time. Instead of posting about their day, they should be just living it. The article describes how it is more relaxing and satisfying to be technology-free and how people have to go on a "screen diet," and I agree.
    Carlye M. Period 5

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    Replies
    1. How about some posters around school.."Why post when you can LIVE?" Maybe you can complete an assignment of this sort when we study Walden:)

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  10. I believe that Wortham had a lot of good points about how people overuse and often misuse their phones in today's society. I think it was most true when she said that we are "overcommunicated". To me the change has been a move from quality to quantity which many people have taken. Many people will spend hours on facebook or twitter peering into the lives of their hundreds or thousands of "friends", many of whom they might barely know at all. This behavior can and often does get in the way or distract from whatever they are doing, whether it be relaxing by the pool, or at a party, or just hanging out with friends. On the other hand there are many people who embrace the change in social technology without it interfering with their lives at all. I tend not to use facebook much, other than for keeping in touch with people, mostly because I don't really care what people are doing with their lives enough to find out if they aren't telling me. However I do spend a lot of time on my phone talking to people throughout the day. This may be annoying/distracting in certain situations, such as when I am trying to talk to someone and my phone starts vibrating, but it is fairly easy for me to put it down or turn it off whenever I don't want it distracting me. I think ultimately it is a matter of personal choice whether or not you let the widely available social media of today stop you from living your life to the fullest and sadly too many people are making the easy decision to live their lives online.

    Evan B Period 5

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    Replies
    1. I agree with your point of view. Our use of socialial media is just one more thing that we have to learn to regulate. Everything in moderation...right? At what point does technology and social media stop enhancing one's life? How much is too much?

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  11. This article opened my eyes to how addicting my cell phone really is. I nearly always have it with me and if I don’t, it always feels like something is missing. When the author of the article explains their addiction to their phone, they describe it more as not wanting to miss out on something better to do that may come up. Cell phones in a way are sucking the fun out of living in the moment with who you are with. How can you really relax and enjoy yourself if you constantly are checking Facebook, Twitter, or Instigram for better plans or trying to compare your plans to others? Not only is it distracting but its rude to the people you are with. For example when you go out to dinner with your girlfriends and look around to see half the table twittering away, it’s rude. Sorry ladies, put the phones away and verbally connect! The dinner table would be one of the perfect places to kick off that “screen diet”.

    Eden W. p.5

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    Replies
    1. I love that phrase...I think it's great to encourage friends to go on a "screen diet." What would your friends say if you actually proposed this to them?

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  12. As I read this article I both agreed and disagreed with the author. Teenagers are definitely too absorbed in their cell phones, and even though I personally don't have a smart phone I could see myself obsessing over checking it constantly. With that being said, I also think that we have a little more self-control than we are given credit for. For example, I always put anything distracting away to get my responsibilities taken care of first, and then take them back as a reward. When the author said that without our electronics in hand at all times we have the “fear of missing out”, I disagreed because personally I'm not really worried about what other people are doing, it's just there for entertainment. Although I say this, I do realize it is easier said than done, so the idea of a "screen-diet" is a great idea for those days where our self-control falls through.
    Brittany S. Period 5

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    Replies
    1. I find it refreshing to hear a teenager not concerned with "missing-out." Maybe you can share in class how you developed these habits. Did your parents have any influence?

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  13. I agree with the author of this article that society has the gotten to the point where we need to have constant access to technology. I have noticed this in my own life. I am so attached to my phone, that it's hard to enjoy activities because you're so focused on the life in technology. However, I believe that social media is one of the most efficient ways to connect with people. If an announcement needs to be made to a large group of people, you can post it on Facebook, and the alert will get sent to their phones in an instance. Convenience is key nowadays, since everyone is always on the run. Although there are certain occasions where you should be able to relax and forget about your phone, there's no way society can go back to not using technology as much. Technology just keeps growing, and with that comes progress. This progress doesn't mean we have to be completely connected all the time. It just means that we should know where the line is drawn when it comes to using your cell phone at an appropriate time

    Cassie F-C, Period 5

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  14. This article shows how much of an impact smart phones really do have our lives. I know for me, I can't go a day without checking twitter, instagram, or facebook. I always want to know what other people are doing and I think that most people would agree with me. But I have realized that life can be so much more enjoyble when you aren't constantly checking your phone, and just living in the moment. For example, when I go on vacation and there is no cell service I have a great time just relaxing and not checking my phone every minute. I get to forget about what the rest of the world is doing for a little bit. But I know when I do get service again, I want to check my phone right away and see everything I missed. All in all, I do think people should have times where they aren't on their phones constantly. Its good to take a break for a few days and disconnect.


    Miriah V period 5

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  15. I really like the concept of “JOMO”- the joy of missing out-coined by Anil Dash. Most often, there will be “friends” and family probably doing something really cool and sharing that “coolness” with the world, but we have a choice in how we respond. I do hope that over time, we will develop healthy habits and self-control over technology. Hoffman refers to these habits as a “screen diet.” I think it must be really difficult for young people to find “joy in a life that is less connected.” I give you all a lot of credit because as a teenager, I would have had a difficult time regulating my time with social media. I am curious about your reaction to Wortham’s revelation that we should “relearn the beauty of living in the moment, devoid of any digital link.”

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  16. I agree with a lot of the points that the author was making. First, people do rely way to much on their cell phones and having instant knowledge of what everyone else is doing. It seems these days every student in school can be found at some point during the day texting someone or playing a game on their phone. Some students also have ipads, laptops, and ipods. Joshua Gross stated in the article that "as a modern society we are overcommunicated" and that some information found on the Web "isn't stuff you need to act on right away". Honestly, there is a simple solution to this issue, which is for people to have enough self control so they can leave their phone in their pocket every now and then, or even have it turned off.

    Justin W. Period 5

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  17. I believe that this was a provocative article that was created to draw the attention of how social media and technology has changed the relationships between people. Everywhere you go, you'll see someone with some type of electronic that's able to connect them to the internet and lets people do things like check the weather and keep up with social networking. A few years ago, it was very rare for someone to have an iPhone. Now, it's rare for someone NOT to have one. Technology like this has changed the way people interact with others. While i do believe that cell phones and tablets and iPads are very useful, I think that they're changing the way people communicate too much and they're distancing people from their friends and family and the real world.

    Aaryne A
    Period 5

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  18. I agree with the author in this article. We rely way too much on our technology and tend to overlook "the charm of a life less connected." I don't find it hard to place my phone down and leave it there for a couple hours without checking it, but almost all of my friends and their phones are attached at the hip; checking it almost obsessively. It doesn't surprise me that people today are focused more on their phones than enjoying the simple things in life. Technology has made it so you can socialize, post pictures/statuses, listen to music, and so much more, it’s too contagious to not get hooked. I hope people do start to see that social media is not everything, and to stop living their lives behind a screen.
    Jocelyn G. Period 5

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