Frankly, nothing.
Your body, development, personality, knowledge, experience and material possessions are all because of or influenced by the technology that currently exists in your lifetime and was developed by previous generations.
While there are many biological, physical, psychological and emotional aspects that exist in our being, our Self, they have been greatly impacted by the existence of technological advancements. Communication, and the contexts surrounding it, have naturally evolved with technology. Let’s take a look:
Temporal: Time is influenced by technology in two different ways. First, with the ability to track it accurately and accessibly, time, as well as our lives, are more structured. There is less room for error and general flexibility, and as a result, expectations have shifted. Second, technology has altered our use of time in a variety of ways. Instead of commuting with public transportation, a person can drive their car to work, thus freeing up time. Conversely, with the rise in social media, time is considered “wasted” if it’s spent too much on phone applications (instead of reading a book or finding a practical hobby).
Social: Relationships have dynamically evolved with technology. Starting with hunter-gatherer societies, settling in permanent locations, to digital nomads, relationships have shifted from tribes and communities to more individualized focus. While intimate and social relationships are still viewed with importance, a person no longer needs to rely on nearby family, friends, neighbors or co-workers to physically thrive.
Physical: With the advancements in medicine and life-saving equipment, technology has greatly improved the human body. People are living longer generally (and in better shape), those living with chronic illness or a disability can thrive with less or reduced pain and there are various methods to reduce harm in practice.
Environmental: Without a doubt, technology has changed our planet. From roadways, infrastructure, industrial and commercial centers, urbanization and transportation hubs, to name a few, we can now live, work, communicate and travel easier and more efficiently. This has had impacts in other contexts such as our time and social lives.
Psychological: With consideration of how much technology touches our physical being, environment, time and relationships, there is no doubt how much it influences our mind. From how we form perceptions, consider our needs, and most importantly, how we communicate, it’s impossible to discount its importance.
What about cultural contexts and implications? How do people derive meaning from the evolving field?
Stay tuned….