IPHONE - AN AMERICAN ARTIFACTAmerica is known for high-tech when it comes to technology. Mass culture refers to information we receive through print and electronic media. In this generation I believe that iPhone has been utilized to its maximum capabilities. When it comes to technology, America is leading the world that is from producing an iPhone to sending crews to the space by NASA. The iPhone has so many features that it allows children and adults to enjoy any applications on the iPhone. This artifact shows the advance use of its application and the need of have one. The changes within the technology world are so fast that it sets a standard and the pace within the Americans are also changing rapidly.
The addiction for technology for the American population has taken over their lives. It seems quite clear that over the years advances in information technology had a dramatic and widespread effect on how companies use the technology to conduct their business. The use of technology at work not only influences the minds of the people working but also influences to make their lifestyle easier. The need to have everything in one space is important and makes everyone’s life easier. IPhone and its application have made life easier and keep everyone busy as this gadget makes one feel at ease.
According to Lasn, Americans are turning into annoyingly self-absorbed hypochondriacs. This is so true because as I have noticed that people are so self-absorbed into their iPhones that they sometimes forget to acknowledge another human being when waiting in a doctor’s office to be seen. The long lines to buy an iPhone was shocking not here in America but other parts of the world. Also the need to relax one’s mind is simple such as many American would turn to their iPhone, which allows one to use Internet and use social networks such as Facebook for chatting and networking. Children and adults are constantly affected by keeping themselves busy with these types of electronic gadgets, which allows no room for physical activity, psychological peacefulness, and no social interaction for verbal communication. These issues lead to serious problems again as described by Lasn some of which are social anxiety, manic-depressive, chronic fatigue syndrome, panic attacks and obsessive/compulsive.
In addition these disorders can be a contributing factor due to less human-to-human interactions because technology has overtaken the lives of the Americans. These psychological issues are taking a toll on majority Americans. Given the fact we are always so busy that we don’t have time for ourselves and when we do have free time, we get impatient and don’t know how to utilize it. People make comments as to how the iPhone has made their lives easier for not having to go anywhere for several things. With a click of buttons on the iPhone everything is within your reach. The technologies have embedded itself into the culture of each individual as the generations evolve and not having one, American feels threaten and are unable to function.
Given the above psychosocial issues and the rapidly evolving technology, the popular culture definitely represents a common denominator, something that cuts across most economic, social, and educational barriers. The popular culture allows the elements of everyday life, the artifacts and institutions shared by a society to be valued and represented as one, which are embedded into the American culture. The iPhone and its use of advance applications have made many users feel that they are in power and control. The iPhone is one of the technologies that are taking the consumers by the storm and getting use to one thing will bring a higher demand for more advance technology, which will definitely bring more culture issues and the fading away of the old cultures.
REFLECTION
I believe that Americans are quite advance when it comes to technology. The effect of popular culture has shown to produce a disabling effect on the Americans. According to Lasn, these disabling effects can cause psychological distress, which includes social anxiety, manic-depressive, chronic fatigue syndrome, panic attacks and obsessive/compulsive. Millions of Americans are suffering and some of these can be a contributing factor due to advancement in technology which allows for less human-to-human interactions.
With more time on hand, Americans tend to spend more time on the gadgets such as iPhone, which allows the user to use multiple applications at the same time. This allows for further dependency on the user and if they don’t get this then it builts up the psychosocial issues for many. These psychological issues and advance technology impedes ones from being physically active and allow for healthy minds to grow and not think for a moment and relax. The use of technology such as iPhone can be an awesome thing but at the same time mind-boggling. I have learnt a lot from the text about combining technology and it’s effects on the American minds.
The addiction for technology for the American population has taken over their lives. It seems quite clear that over the years advances in information technology had a dramatic and widespread effect on how companies use the technology to conduct their business. The use of technology at work not only influences the minds of the people working but also influences to make their lifestyle easier. The need to have everything in one space is important and makes everyone’s life easier. IPhone and its application have made life easier and keep everyone busy as this gadget makes one feel at ease.
According to Lasn, Americans are turning into annoyingly self-absorbed hypochondriacs. This is so true because as I have noticed that people are so self-absorbed into their iPhones that they sometimes forget to acknowledge another human being when waiting in a doctor’s office to be seen. The long lines to buy an iPhone was shocking not here in America but other parts of the world. Also the need to relax one’s mind is simple such as many American would turn to their iPhone, which allows one to use Internet and use social networks such as Facebook for chatting and networking. Children and adults are constantly affected by keeping themselves busy with these types of electronic gadgets, which allows no room for physical activity, psychological peacefulness, and no social interaction for verbal communication. These issues lead to serious problems again as described by Lasn some of which are social anxiety, manic-depressive, chronic fatigue syndrome, panic attacks and obsessive/compulsive.
In addition these disorders can be a contributing factor due to less human-to-human interactions because technology has overtaken the lives of the Americans. These psychological issues are taking a toll on majority Americans. Given the fact we are always so busy that we don’t have time for ourselves and when we do have free time, we get impatient and don’t know how to utilize it. People make comments as to how the iPhone has made their lives easier for not having to go anywhere for several things. With a click of buttons on the iPhone everything is within your reach. The technologies have embedded itself into the culture of each individual as the generations evolve and not having one, American feels threaten and are unable to function.
Given the above psychosocial issues and the rapidly evolving technology, the popular culture definitely represents a common denominator, something that cuts across most economic, social, and educational barriers. The popular culture allows the elements of everyday life, the artifacts and institutions shared by a society to be valued and represented as one, which are embedded into the American culture. The iPhone and its use of advance applications have made many users feel that they are in power and control. The iPhone is one of the technologies that are taking the consumers by the storm and getting use to one thing will bring a higher demand for more advance technology, which will definitely bring more culture issues and the fading away of the old cultures.
REFLECTION
I believe that Americans are quite advance when it comes to technology. The effect of popular culture has shown to produce a disabling effect on the Americans. According to Lasn, these disabling effects can cause psychological distress, which includes social anxiety, manic-depressive, chronic fatigue syndrome, panic attacks and obsessive/compulsive. Millions of Americans are suffering and some of these can be a contributing factor due to advancement in technology which allows for less human-to-human interactions.
With more time on hand, Americans tend to spend more time on the gadgets such as iPhone, which allows the user to use multiple applications at the same time. This allows for further dependency on the user and if they don’t get this then it builts up the psychosocial issues for many. These psychological issues and advance technology impedes ones from being physically active and allow for healthy minds to grow and not think for a moment and relax. The use of technology such as iPhone can be an awesome thing but at the same time mind-boggling. I have learnt a lot from the text about combining technology and it’s effects on the American minds.
