Has technology made us soft?

Answer 1

in a lot of ways, yes. just as a very simple example, when's the last time you had to do long division, or an accountant had to do a spreadsheet with pencil and paper? many skills are no longer even taught in schools because we rely on technology to do them for us. it's also eroded our ability to socialize with people as most communication is electronic and you can hide behind a screen and keyboard--manners are no longer required.

Answer 2

Yes, in numerous ways technology has made us soft. As a young child I used to walk to school. The school was only two miles away. We used to walk to the neighborhood grocery store. We even walked to the nearest shopping center, which was about four miles away. Being a kid in Hawaii, we often took off our shoes or slippers and trekked bare-footed to our destination. We enjoyed the challenge of running up the stairs of a 10-story building. Our feet became tough, and we could even run over rocks, pebbles, asphalt, cement, etc. with ease--even on hot days. Now, as adults, technology stifled all the exercise that we got when we were younger. We utilize the elevator and / or the escalator to get the uppermost floor of a tall building. In one of our shopping malls there are only two floors--the bottom and the top. How do most people access the top floor from ground level? The mall has provided an escalator, an elevator, and stairs. Most seemingly healthy patrons choose to use the elevator or the escalator to get to the top floor. I am one of the few that accepts the challenge of running up the stairs. One more example of how technology has made individuals soft: Computers, televisions, and computerized games keep adults and children indoors, instead of outdoors, where they should be enjoying the sunshine and playing in the yard. Oh, before I forget, we have to take the car to get to the neighborhood grocery store. It's too far away--that four-minute walk round trip!

Answer 3

In many respects, of course. Convenience is such a wonderful gift, but it also seems to perpetuate laziness. And on top of this, we take so much for granted.

Yet, I'm grateful for these inventions. They allow us to pursue our passions with greater feasibility. I'm certain no one will ever compare me to Thoreau. No, ... no danger there.

Greatly admire those who work to preserve and educate us on this matter, however.

When push comes to shove, technology has not affected my character, so that when life challenges present themselves I face them willingly. As long as technology does not usurp relationships to others I think that is the main consideration.

I do fear for the abuse and misuse of the English language and language in general, however. Text messaging and e-mailing have helped to destroy eloquence and accuracy.

Still, like everything else if someone is able to delineate when this short-hand is correct (such as e-mailing a friend as opposed to using such jargon or shorthand in a term paper) then it's okay.

Unfortunately, many don't know. And many would rather take shortcuts than devote the time to producing quality work. Technology should be a tool not a crutch. In that respect, we need to return to some stricter dictates and insist on practices such as proper writing using these tools when such an event is called for.

Technology itself has not made us "soft;" rather, it's our own assumptions and laziness or indifference to the gifts we've been given. Lest we remember the technology are inanimate objects and machines and we operate them.

A crisis of conscience and consciousness. That's the bigger dilemma.

Answer 4

No. We created technology because we were soft. Like we invented remote so we wouldn't have to get up to change the channel.

Answer 5

To some degree,yes it has.But it is up to the individual how much they rely on technology.

Answer 6

Of course! We are used to all comforts that technology has given us. Now we cannot deal with challenges of life as effectively as our ancestors could...

Answer 7

I just think we rely on it too much! I like technology, but I don't mind doing manual work!

Answer 8

I think technology has done the same thing that most other big changes do; it's brought us together and yet also divided us at the same time. Just life, I guess...

Answer 9

Somewhat.

Answer 10

Yah, but I'm not gonna complain cause i like technology too much..