One major challenge of the post-modern family is to compete with technology for entertainment during family gatherings. We commonly see family and friends glued to their electronic devices. Psychologists have even come up with a term to label the practice. It is called this phubbing or phone snubbing. It means to snub others next to … Read more
Technology has undeniably made communication more accessible than ever before. With a few keystrokes, one can message people in Timbuktu from the safety of one’s room. Despite this facility to connect, people are lonelier than ever. Nearly eight percent of the American population, for example, is diagnosed with clinical depression. Thus, suicides, particularly among young … Read more
Can digital technology change the way we think? Can it influence our moral judgments? These questions have ignited a great debate about the proper use of technology in our lives. Many are now pointing out some of the negative effects that have emerged as usage becomes universal. American author Nicholas Carr posits that the effect … Read more
The Internet is the favorite obsession of the modern age. It does not respect age, social condition, sex, or any other criteria. Users range from those who barely know how to use e-mail to some who live their entire lives in the online world. Sometimes, raising any concern about Internet use causes others to treat … Read more
As we pulled away from the terminal getting ready for takeoff, the plane stopped fifty feet away. There we waited inexplicably for about a half hour before the pilot came on the speaker. He reported that the ground crew had pulled us away from the terminal but forgotten to free the steering mechanism of the … Read more
It is common to hear that electronic devices are ruining lives. Headlines like CNN’s, “Americans Devote More Than Ten Hours a Day to Screen Time and Growing,” abound. As a result, many Americans are becoming lazy and less creative because they spend too much time staring at small screens. The truth of this conclusion is … Read more
Technology dominates the daily life of most Americans. The Pew Research Center reports that 89% of adults have access to the Internet, 77% have access to smartphones, and 69% use social media. Among teenagers, 95% have access to smartphones, and 45% are almost constantly online. Most will argue that people cannot afford to live without … Read more
Imagine that you come home on Sunday evening after a weekend trip. There is a message on your home telephone. You hear the voice of a good friend who lives in another state. The friend explains that he is unexpectedly in your town on business. He would like to buy you dinner at one of … Read more
A bemused reader might scan the title of this book review and frown, “what in the world is a glow kid?!” But do not worry, the author of this review asked the same question when the book was recommended by a colleague. After reading the first few pages, however, confused readers will realize that the … Read more
