FINAL BLOG POST: The World's Relationship with Technology

The Futurama ride at the World Fair, showed the high expectations that the world had for the future with technology. The world had an excited outlook on what was to come and everyone in the video was filled with awe just thinking what their future would hold. Many of the Futurama ideas have become true in a sense but with their downsides. As predicted, technology has taken over everyday life. It's become such a necessity for society to do everyday chores. However, by infiltrating everyday life, it has also created people to be more distant from each other and changes the function of society.  

In video two, the main focal point is on a person who feels alone in such a crowded space. They are shown to be ignored by the world because everyone is so distracted by technology. It shows the world as desensitized to horrors an dark situations and everyone has become mind numb and zombies who are devoted to their devices. It is shown to bring the worst out in society and emphasized people's lack of the ability to live in the moment. It ultimately shows technology as what will be everyone's downfall. 

I have often found times where technology use of those around me or even myself makes me feel lonely even in crowded rooms or even catch myself forgetting to live in the moment because I need the "perfect shot". I always notice at concerts there is a sea of cell phones trying to record and many end up forgetting their own experiences at these concerts. I know I have fallen victim to this on many occasions. I have also noticed times where I may be out to dinner and my family is all on their phones at the table, even if just for a moment. At this point, I always make an effort to set my phone down when I notice, as well as call those around me to attention. I often feel embarrassed and wonder if people sitting at other tables may have noticed and said to their parties, "look at that table over there. they're all on their phones" as I have heard my parents and o
thers say in the past. Many people today use the excuse of work as to why they are constantly on their phones. I personally, find myself on my phone when I feel bored, as a reflex. When I am preoccupied with other tasks, I often do not go on my phone. My friends and I also often try to make an effort to not using my phones when we are out together because we have also noticed these how sought up people may get in their phones. 

I do believe social media causes many of the problems in the world today. While I know the world before technology was far from perfect, it definitely seemed simpler. As stated in the prompt, there have been many downsides to how casual the internet has become and how widely used it now is. mental health has substantially declined in society and many people manipulate and hurt others in more psychological ways. 

Technology is not inherently good or bad. It is a reflection of how we choose to use it. While it connects us, entertains us, and offers powerful tools, it also challenges our ability to stay grounded, present, and emotionally in tune with each other. The shift from Futurama’s hopeful vision to today’s tech-saturated reality reveals how easily innovation can outpace reflection. Our relationship with technology deserves constant reevaluation. We must ask ourselves: are we using it, or is it using us? The answer may shape not just our future, but who we are becoming.