1. Does technology connect or isolate: An analysis
! There is a lot of grey area surrounding this question, and I believe the answer
changes from situation to situation; person to person; technology to technology. Before
we can answer this question, we have to first consider which technologies we are
talking about, and the value that they bring. I would contend that currently the most
influential technologies on North American society are: Cellphones, Social Media
Networks, and MP3 Players.
! The modern cellphone is pretty much a mini-computer. I can have hundreds of
contacts saved in my address book that I can call, text or email with a simple click of the
button. Aside from that, I can browse the internet, play games, use a timer or calculator,
make purchases, do my banking, and the list goes on. From my phone, it is easy to
access social media networks, such as Twitter and Facebook.
! These social media networks allows for easy communication between friends,
colleagues and strangers. Through these networks, you can share videos, send
messages, post pictures, send out event invitations and reminders and more. People
can access these networks virtually anywhere through their computers, cellphones, or
tablets.
! MP3 players, most notably IPods, are very similar to cell phones in that you can
access the internet through WiFi networks, and therefore use social media applications
through them. You can listen to podcasts/videos about virtually any topic that interests
you, and they allow you to access music from every genre thats available, world wide.
! This sounds like a lot of positives for the side supporting technology. With so
many ways to connect, how is it possible that they could also isolate? To take the
easiest example, lets first look at MP3 players. More and more people are going out into
public with their earphones in their ears, effectively creating a little bubble of silence
around them. This sends a message to everyone around you: “I am in my own little

2. world. I am not interested in talking to you. Leave me alone.” I would argue that this is
more or less in keeping with the values of modern society: Time is money; we have
places to go and things to do. That is a very “Me” based philosophy, which is supported
by the little “me bubble” that is created by the two little earbuds connected to your Ipod.
! If Ipods weren’t bad enough, then you add cell phones to the mix. If I had a dollar
for every time I saw a someone nearly walk into a pole, a person, or into oncoming
traffic since they were spending more time texting, then I would be a billionaire. It could
be said that you are so busy “connecting” with people, that you are isolating yourself
from the real world that exists beyond a few inches from your nose.
! Lastly comes social media. My feelings on this is that it is the most neutral of the
various technologies. I don’t believe that it is isolating in and of itself: it simply highlights
isolation that is already present in your life. It is a great tool to connect and, say, create
events and easily invite your friends. Just like before Facebook however, if you don’t
have friends to invite, or to invite you to, different events, then you remain isolated.
! In this post, I have laid out some very black and white thoughts on technology,
but like I said previously, this is very much a grey area. Ultimately I view these
technologies as tools: Yes, they can help us connect more to other people and the world
around us, however, depending on their use, they can isolate us just as easily. I firmly
believe that we can’t allow ourselves to fall into the trap of thinking that these
technologies are the be-all and end-all of personal interaction and human existence.