Is technology making us lazy?
Recently, I had a discussion with my Computer Science students regarding technology impact on society. I was kind of surprised that these young professionals (most of my Masters students are having jobs already) were telling me that technology is making people lazy and irresponsible.
People are expecting from technology everything – starting from banking up to grocery shopping and travel bookings. In the nearest future, people expect even more – robotization of process-oriented and manual jobs, work from home, and other things which will make people more passive in all aspects of life.
It seems that this topic was in the air for some time; students referred me to the discussions at their workplace.
I also know that some people are having opposite views and they are looking at the technological innovations with concern and fear.
I agree that technology is changing our life in all its aspects, making it smart, comfortable and convenient. Technology creates new jobs in the market, flexible working schedules, new learning and training opportunities.
I don’t agree that people are getting lazy by relying on technology. I think many people are getting confused and disoriented because they don’t know what is expected from them in this constantly changing environment.
I think this new environment which is heavily affected by technology requires from us to be more proactive and flexible, be prepared for lifelong learning and constant adjustments to the job market requirements.
No jobs for life, no dedicated service to one employer, no career development based on hierarchical progression from one position to another.
In the future, the successful professional is expected to have 5-6 different jobs during professional life with horizontal career development opportunities.
Does it sound challenging? Interesting? Exciting?
Please let me know what do you think about technology effect on us.
Recent Comments
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Hi Nadezda, I think you are totally right. Deb and I started a company in the 90's that could not possibly exist before then. I am sure many could say that. Instead of the proverb: Take the road less traveled, It is now becoming for some, take the easy street.
You really touch a nerve Nadezda, I sure am glad. You article got my juices flowing again, for that Thank You.
Bless You,
Sam and Deb
Thank you for reading my post. Thank you for such nice comments. I have spent more than 40 years (since I entered my University) in IT. I could not imagine that time what impact technology will have on our lives. It feels great, and the same time we have to be cautious regarding several aspects of technology application. We have to manage technology, plan its implementation, and teach others how to benefit from technology advances.
I agree with your take on this, Nadezda!
We just need to redesign the work scope and requirements and we are good to go. We must be proactive and be a step ahead by preparing and streamlining the proper usage of tech in our present and future.
I think once technology is placed in its proper place, it can be a great tool for the sole purpose of enhancing our lives.
We can't allow tech to govern us when it should be the other way around.
We have grown so accustomed, we can't do without it now:)
David
Thank you very much. Your input is always very constructive. Yes, we have very complicated relationship with technology, we can't afford to lay back and wait, we have to govern the technology and define further development. I agree with you.
Other than making us lazy, Technology is making our brains smaller because we don't need to remember so many things.
Thank you very much for your comment. I appreciate your input in the discussion
I believe Technology does not require to memorize too much... but it requires a deep understanding of things and this is quite complicated matter.
Thank you so much for your input...
In terms of doing daily work - yes, it does a lot of things for us. But intellectual work - it is our privilege and our responsibility. Technology is and always will servicing people.
Hi, Nadja
I agree with you in some area, but it is a 'Techo' world and it makes peoples life easy in many area to things done smoothly and in order.
Once upon a time we used to hand writing under lot of pressure. Now you can type on soft keyboard and save the document, if there is change need to be done then do it and save. So it is much better, I believe.
Lazyiness comes from any habit or lifestyle people used to. It is also the reason not confident enough to do so. Thinking negative then positive to make them feel good.
So, yea it all about the mobility and activity you follow. I balance myself when ever it suits for the situation. I love some thing which is not involve with technology and I enjoy myself without any complain, why? what? when. I am
I am a believer, thinker and helper.
Great comment. Thank you for sharing. I agree we can't judge things from one side only... Technology is complex, and it makes our life more comfortable and easy. But we will always have things to do without technology...
Interesting post, Nadezda. I'm hearing people with office jobs say they are having more health issues. Many older adults are struggling to keep up with technological advances and are relying more on their children or grandchildren to help them navigate the maze. Yes, there are also parents who have said that technology has made their kids lazy. And some adults have said that technology has made them lazy as well. For some, there is the fear factor of whether technology will take jobs away, de-humanize healthcare and other workplace systems, and whether driverless vehicles will become the norm!
When I find myself with a lot of computer time or sitting in city traffic, I choose to break up those sedentary activities with other more mobile activities, make sure I exercise, and eat healthy foods/snacks. :) In other words, I choose to keep moving! Thanks for your post!
Thank you for reading my post and your valuable contribution to the discussion. We are getting overloaded with technology news, apps, and hardware itself . It applies to me as well. Everything in our life needs to be balanced - it is important. Our relationship with technology is complex, we like the services it offers but the same time we might bet hurt because of job market status, necessity to look what's coming next. It is quite challenging. we need to develop proper ways how to survive successfully in this technological environment.
You are so right! It's great to have the benefits of technology if we stay wise about handling it all! Enjoy your day! :)
The "jobs/life" number when I was growing up, a loooooong time ago, was already 3-4 -- not really all that much different!
The really big difference I detect -- unscientifically, mind you -- is that more and more people are doing "side gigs", either as their primary or sole work, or as a supplement to their day jobs.
WA, of course, fits right into that trend, which may account for why we start out at a rank of some 13- or 14,000!
Tim
Thank you for the comment. I appreciate your input. Yes, as you say loooong time ago, after graduation in 1980 from the university, I was sure that my degree will serve me till the end of my professional life... and it did... I did not know that time that every year I had to take 2-3 training courses to keep up with technology development.
But I think now it will different... We have new "hot" jobs which can disappear after few years...
Anyway, it is very interesting time ahead.
Thank you again.
Hi Nadja, It is an interesting debate. I think technology enables people to be far more productive than previous generations. People definitely have to keep learning in order to keep up with the latest changes, in technology and techniques. Also i think people have to work harder to earn a living, because work now is not so much about selling your time for a realistic living wage. Instead many people find they are running their own businesses selling things, which means you put in unlimited hours, with an aspiration that in the longer term you may be able to work less and receive passive income from time you invested previously. Best Alan
Thank you so much for your valuable comment.
Oh yes, it is true.. Life is getting more demanding. If we talk about smart lifestyle and flexible work schedule - all this serves to make us more productive and efficient.
The lifestyle requests us to act in a smart way as well. Our ability to adopt changes, learn new things - all this will be a great advantage in the next decades (it looks so).
Thank you for the input.
Interesting article...you asked what we think so here goes from an older guy whose views may not be all that popular.
I am 66 years old. I grew up in the country and what might be called "technology" in those years was a television with two or three channels and an AM radio. Cell phones were unheard of - some of us didn't even have landline phones.
I know what it is like to to use an outhouse. I know what it is like to raise chickens, gather eggs, and I have even plowed with a mule (just enough to say I did). I have picked cotton, pulled corn, hoed weeds out of a garden. I have dug potatoes, cleaned out chicken houses, and helped my grandfather roof houses and do construction work.
It was a different world then. The world has changed so much in 60 years. Yes, we have progress in so many areas such as health care or transportation but has our quality of life in those matters that are really important improved?
So am I against technology? No, not really - but to a point. And I am against some of the things we are doing with it.
The Bible speaks of a time when "...many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase..." Think about it - we are bombarded with so much information we cannot mentally process it. No matter what we do somebody always has a better idea or more up-to-date information on how we could do it better.
And as for the technology of social media, why should people care over how many "likes" they might get over their photo of their new shoes. Is that where their esteem should come from?
But to get back to your question about technology, I think it is making many of us lazy. And it is making us weird. And it is bombarding us with so much information that our minds can't process it.
The world is different in many ways than 60 years ago. In some ways better but in other ways not. Back then people were kinder, saner and the pace of life was much more content and peaceful.
So, yeah, I am an older guy whose opinion probably doesn't matter that much. But my personal preference would be to go "back to Mayberry" (and take a few modern conveniences).
Ohh... Thank you... I read your comments twice... We do belong to the same generation, I am 60 this year. I spent all my professional life working in IT... still do... Yes, there is no single and definite answer... Technology offers us a lot and takes a lot to survive in the technology-driven environment.
I enjoyed reading your comment... Thank you again.
Nadja3, you mentioned you work in IT. I am familiar with that as I worked in an engineering firm for 34+ years but some of the older guys like me got laid off a few years ago. I didn't work in IT myself - I was a CADD technician (computer drafter) who assisted engineers and there was the constant frustration of having to learn new and updated software. In my early years there I watched the engineers sit and work thru projects with thought and planning. As my career there concluded it was pretty much some young guy just slapping some data together from some latest software program - I didn't fit there anymore.
Technology applications are changing all the time. Yes, we had to learn new things constantly... still do. Sometimes, I feel emotionally tired from the constant necessity to learn and learn.. and implement. But the same time it was also a great excitement.
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I don't believe it is making us lazy, there is so much to learn, and new information everyday. And not just for beginners, for even our superiors. I think we are a long way from a robot actually taking the place of each individual. Sure they have robots doing things, in fact, in Puyallup Washington, I was getting a truckload of water for walmart and it was loaded by a robot. . But my opinion is the human is still capable of way more than what we believe. And the human is the one with the knowledge for the computer and new technology. Thank you.
Angie
Thank you for your comments. You are so right... there is a lot of work for us.