Does technology free us or trap us?

I'd say it's both as well.

I love my computer and it has opened up so many possibilities: I have stayed in touch with some people I probably would not have if it weren't for social networking, I have gotten rid of lots of stuff by posting online ads for free, I have published books for a 90+ year old gentleman, I enjoy all the news and info at my fingertips, I play with graphics and now making games. It has definitely enhanced my life!

The one thing I hate that comes to mind is getting trapped on the phone with an automated answering service that so many companies use ("press "2" to speak with a service tech," "enter your account number"–of course it's about 15 characters long, etc., etc.). Sometimes I just need/want to talk to a real person, and hitting "0" doesn't always work.
 

It wasn't that long ago that, to rent a movie, we had to go to a Blockbuster video, look at the selections for about an hour and try to decide on a VHS that looked good by reading the little blurb on the back and looking at the graphics, and then go home, plop it in the player, and half the time, it was a dud, so we'd wind up just reading or watching TV, or sometimes we'd sit through it just because of all the trouble we went through to get it, even if it sucked.

Now we can look at ratings, read reviews, watch trailers, all from the comfort of our homes! And then just push a few buttons on a few different remotes, and voila! Instant movie!

So in that case, technology frees us.

Of course, going to Blockbuster used to be a social event. You'd get to know the people who worked there and sometimes see people you knew in the store because they lived in the neighborhood. There was that weird guy with the iguana on his shoulder and some people from the apartment building. During snow storms, people would walk to the video store because the roads hadn't been plowed. It was like a block party.

Technology has eliminated much of our social interactions with neighbors.
 
I cannot say technology has trapped me, but say it has freed me. Since I cannot walk anywhere on my own, I do a lot of stuff online and have for a long time now. It seems to me that every person has a different perspective on it due to their unique situation. I had a friend who lives downstairs visit me yesterday and she does not use a computer at all. She has a cellphone for telephone calls only and she is careful about how long she is on the phone or how many calls she makes. Awhile back she wanted me to look on my computer at the store she buys checks from to get her the number of the design she wanted to order. Then she called them to place the order. Just seems so unconvenient to me. And I love not using checks any longer, just my debit card.

She stopped her cable due to the cost so now does not even have television. She does word puzzles and listens to a radio and a scanner for entertainment. But from her perspective, she goes to the park almost every day and stays there for hours in the fresh air and sunlight. She goes to a lot more activities around town than I do. Plays cards at a friend's house (not in this building) once a week. So more social than I am. For her, that is great and she does not need technology. For me, her life looks bleak. I am a computer person though, not a phone one. To be honest, I hate telephones and always have.
 

Irwin said:
Since the '90s, we've become more and more reliant on technology in our lives. Everything seems to be computerized any more—even appliances! But are our lives better because of it? Does technology free us or trap us?
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Well, imagine the pandemic we've just lived through, without technology. For those who didn't want to (or couldn't) leave their house, how would they interact with anyone else, let alone buy food and necessities?
 
Irwin said:
Since the '90s, we've become more and more reliant on technology in our lives. Everything seems to be computerized any more—even appliances! But are our lives better because of it? Does technology free us or trap us?
Click to expand...
Technology use in our everyday lives includes health care & everything associated with that. Then there is the often asked for help with something or other by posters & the ever popular youtube videos . Not possible in terms of wide knowledge base not accessible years ago.

All in all use of technology gets a thumbs up from me as making our lives are better.
 
IMO, there are Good and Bad aspects of technology. The Internet, and online shopping are great, but all the "gadgets" being infused into most consumer products just add to the costs, and can be Very expensive to repair/replace.
 
I wouldn't use the words "free" or "trap" for this. Technology doesn't free us from our problems, but it does help us. Immensely. Living without all the technology we've come to depend on would be sheer hell. Here we are talking to each other, all over the world, paying nothing or next to nothing. 50 years ago or less,we would consider that a kind of miracle.

My family lives all over the country. We regularly meet via zoom and enjoy a visit. I've gotten acquainted with my adorable great-granddaughter that way, though she lives in the midwest. I've met her in person only once, but I see her every week on Zoom.

The kind of "trap" Granny is talking about isn't really a trap, it's an inconvenience, or a misuse of technology. If you are put on hold forever (and yes, it's happened to me too), it probably just means they don't have enough employees manning the phones. That could happen also if you had to go in person to talk to someone; there would be a long line of people waiting. Much worse than being put on hold on the phone!
 
Here's a way to test weather it "traps" us. If your broadband went down this evening, what would you do? How would you spend your time without Internet access?

I think I would read a book or maybe read some research that I downloaded onto my tablet. I'd play my guitar to some jamtracks that I downloaded to my PC, play with the dog, maybe do some chores... But if Internet access went down for several days, that might be a problem, especially since we stream movies, and that's one of our main pastimes. We get DVDs from Netflix, but we order them online. Plus, most of the stuff I read, I get online, whether from Amazon or from the library. Because of my sight issues, reading printed books is tiresome. Pretty much everything I read is digital.

So in some ways, I'm "trapped" by Internet technology. It would be difficult to live without it.
 
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My computer is the only thing I say a short prayer for before I turn it on. How many times do we seek help for things we use more than hi-tech stuff?
 
I think I more empowered than trapped. I do have my limits. I don't like where Big Tech is going with technology. I'd rather not get spied on. I only use facebook to stay in touch with family and friends. I don't go there often anymore.
But I do like the part of the technology that keeps me occupied, movies, forums, the news, games. I like buying on line and I do all my banking on line.
I was always the last to update my technology. 20 years ago I finally relented and got a cell phone, got rid of the land line. I'm not one for gluing my nose on that phone. I use text messages and that's ok. I do know so many people who live life through their phone, social media sites all the time. It disgusts me that they can't get their nose out of the phone while your having a conversation.
 
In general technology has made my world larger, and enabled me to vicariously travel and reach out to others, all without leaving my own home. Technology makes a good servant but a poor master, however, and the line has been crossed into addiction for those who feel that they must be “connected” 24/7, checking for messages, responses, and updates almost constantly. Stress and anxiety lie along the highway of information overload, and some in their addiction are losing both their perspectIves and the ability to negotiate real-life social interactions...
 
Fyrefox said:
In general technology has made my world larger, and enabled me to vicariously travel and reach out to others, all without leaving my own home. Technology makes a good servant but a poor master, however, and the line has been crossed into addiction for those who feel that they must be “connected” 24/7, checking for messages, responses, and updates almost constantly. Stress and anxiety lie along the highway of information overload, and some in their addiction are losing both their perspectIves and the ability to negotiate real-life social interactions...
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What an articulate assessment, well said. Much as I enjoy the interaction from others in my country and abroad, there's nothing like having real friends with whom you can socialise, whose company you can enjoy and simply engage in small talk. This pandemic has robbed us of so much.
 
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