Reflection Précis, Technological Effects

PART 1: In this reading, new communication technologies are discussed and their effects to
the society; they include, smart phones, iPods, laptops with developments such as, fibre
optics, the internet and broadband. Technology has led to e-philanthropy that is an ‘online
giving’ where organisation raise funds from volunteers and later the funds are distributed to
non-profit organisations. The cue has grown to popularity due to its complementary tie to our
daily life and has been successful in online volunteering leading to formation of online
volunteering websites such as volunteermatch.org. Technology has been debated on affecting
intimacy which is associated with face to face, direct communication or physically for it to
grow. Technology has led to a mediated communication an indirect communication through a
mechanical medium which has been criticized to be impersonal, ingenious and fleeting (pg
262). Cyber bullying has risen due to technology, where mistreatments are executed to
individuals through their cell phones, cameras or internet. There is fear of new
communication technologies creating inequality, with some researchers arguing that it creates
digital divide which is formation of an information underclass.
PART 2: I agree to the technological effects on intimacy, where traditional methods have
stronger roots than the new caused by technology. Mediated communication is influenced
fantasy with anonymous and meaningless words thus acting as a base for a short life.
Irrespective of this, there are many people who have met and dated online and later living
happily for many years thus the intimacy issue is double edged. E-philanthropy may be
venues for individuals to increase their wealth due to lack of direct management for funds.
Many people who access online may volunteer or donate but giving accounts to the money is
questionable. In my opinion, the intimacy issue makes more sense than the e-philanthropy.

2
PART 3: The most interesting thing about the reading is that technology is taking over our
lives where critic charge people to being slaves of their toys drowning in a sea of points,
wireless, clicks connection. There exist believe that individuals spend more time with their
gadgets forgetting the real world. This has changed my actions as I spend much of my free
time on social networks like, twitter, instagrams, Google Facebook and others. The
information will alter my thinking in future as I will try and engage more on outdoor
activities but still utilize the luxury gift of technology.