Today, we live in a world filled with new tech, evolving, and coming out each year. As I and many other students are still developing, it's important to understand how technology affects us. Neil Postman gives a simple guide to make sense of technology through his "Five Things We Need to Know About Technological Change."
Starting off, Postman gives insight on trade offs, calling it a Faustian bargain. Basically, he is saying that for every good thing that this new tech gives, there's got to be something not so good. While being teenagers, myself and many others are glued to our devices and yes they are great, there could be some major downsides we aren't batting an eye to.
Next, he says that some people “win” with this new tech, and that some people “lose.” We should make sure to know and understand new tech so we can work with it and benefit from it. Then, Postman talks about the big idea that every technology comes with its way of thinking. If you're using a computer, it kind of makes you think in a certain way, possibly harming us. This teaches us that we should proceed with caution when it comes to technological advancements.
Moving forward, he then speaks on how tech changes don't mean just adding stuff; it's like changing the whole ecosystem. In simple terms, when something new comes along, it changes everything around it. We must learn how to adapt and overcome.
Lastly, Postman says technology becomes like a big story we all believe in, in other words, a myth. It's like thinking these gadgets are part of nature and not something we made. He reminds us not to blindly accept technology as if it's a gift from nature. We should question it and understand that we're the ones who control it.
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