In the last three decades, there has been a tremendous development in the field of electronics and communication. A lot of electronic devices were popularized. They brought about many conveniences into our life and made it much more easy and comfortable. Of these, the TV, the computer and the cell phone made the greatest impact in our life. We cannot think of a single day without these three devices. We can spend a day without eating, but not without access to the three electronic gadgets. But have we lost something in the bargain?
Three decades previously, TV sets were not very
common in our place. We bought our first TV set in 1985 or 1986. The pace at which the TV spread like an epidemic across the country was tremendous. Once it became popular, it made its entry into every house in no time. Cable TV and DTH services were introduced later and now, watching TV has become part of the everyday routine for all of us.But TV has done some damage to our family life. Communication or conversation between family members has suffered to some extent due to the influence of the TV. Occasions when family members sit together and engage in trivial conversation have become rare due to the TV. Instead, all of them sit before the TV watching it and there is no scope for any conversation. This is very undesirable as the warmth of relationship between family members will suffer.
The computer has also become an integral part of every home. Computer together with internet has made it possible for us to perform many activities without having to go out to town. One can make bank transactions through the computer without leaving his home. For booking train tickets or air tickets we need not have to go anywhere. These are the advantages of computer and internet. Of course there are many more to add to the list.
But there is a bad side for the computer and internet. It is internet addiction, something that has been added to the list of common addictions like alcohol addiction, addiction to smoking, drug addiction etc.
which existed before the advent of computer and internet. Internet addiction is very damaging and it has destroyed the married life of many youngsters.The latest addition of electronic device in this category is the cell phone or the mobile phone. TV, Cell phone and internet (with computer) have made this planet a very small place. Any communication can be transferred to any point on this earth instantly. News items spread like wildfire across the entire world.
Cell phone gives us the most convenient medium for communicating with others. It can be used for banking, paying bills, booking tickets and what not! What are the negative aspects of a cell phone? There are many. Most cell phones now have digital cameras integrated into them. It is a threat to the privacy of other people.
When a motor accident happens in the middle of the road we see a number of young guys rush to the spot. Don’t think that they are going to help the victims. They are rushing to the spot to take snap shots or movies of the mishap on their cell phone camera. What an inhuman act!
Most cell phones are having music players in them. We can see boys and girls walking the streets with ear phones inserted into their ears, enjoying music from the cell phone, quite oblivious of what is happening around. Many have ended up in getting run over by some motor vehicle or train.
The damage done by these three electronic companions of the modern man is that he has become less humane or he has become more or less like a machine because of them. Of course nobody can avoid them because of the many comforts they provide. This is the first step to enter into a world that is going to be ruled by machines!
To read my other articles please visit my profile page