Smart Mobs Reflection, Chapters 7-8

"It's not just how we use the technology that concerns us. We're also concerned about what kind of people we become when we use it" (185). These words, spoken to Howard Rheingold from some Amish "gentlemen", fairly reflect the growing concerns of people who are fearful of the technological advances they see in day-to-day life. Rheingold and many others that he quotes discuss "interacting with devices", however, I see that people are rather interacting THROUGH the devices. These technologies allow us to connect to the world and to other people in ways previously unthought of. Unless we were a technology guru or had one break on us, we would most likely not care about the intricacies of the device itself. What we would care about is how it would better enable us to get ahold of our friends or obtain the information we want. It amazes me still that many of my friends in my age range, let's say 18-24, refuse to get cell-phones. "I don't want people to be able to get ahold of me at all times of the day" quips one, to which I say "So just don't answer the phone". Still, she absolutely appalls the idea of constant communication. These people, I have found, are being left out of the loop more and more. As it is so difficult to get ahold of them, they are not invited out to parties or even just to dinner gatherings. People consistently ask if these technologies are making us lose our touch with other people, however I see that those who do not utilize these devices are the ones unable to connect with others.

Sometimes, however, these technologies just should not be used. For example, in chapter 7 we see an example of people texting at a funeral. Is this socially acceptable? Should it be? It seems appalling to me that people cannot put their lives on hold for long enough to mourn for the loss of another.

Surveillance is another issue brought up often in regards to new technology. An interesting thought is that people will behave better if they think they are under surveillance. If people thought that whatever they did or said could come back and be used against them, they may start being careful of how they behave. Also, Rheingold shows us that most of the privacy intrusions being made into our personal devices are from merchants trying to sell us everything from sex to paper clips rather than "secret police". People should find a middle ground of paranoia so that they behave properly and yet don't go into major conspiracy theories.

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Although I picked up Smart Mobs with hesitancy that continued into the first three chapters, I grew to appreciate Rheingold's perspective. Although it is difficult for me to remember the time without computers (however I can remember my undying excitement at getting our first one), Rheingold is able to connect that gap and show the people of the younger generation how quickly the technological world is advancing around us.