It is not uncommon for older people to bemoan the shortcomings of the current generation. Millennials are often referred to as lazy, self-indulgent, and attention-seeking, and are frequently accused of being addicted to instant gratification. These older people typically believe that hard work builds character. Thus, according to them, people who grow up with modern luxuries and conveniences at their disposal fail to develop into strong and independent individuals. However, people who subscribe to this argument fail to take into account three crucial considerations. First, the conveniences and luxuries they speak of are only available to a tiny segment of the population., Second, thanks to modern conveniences, people are able to spend less time on the minutiae of household chores and more time on creative pursuits that require independent thinking. Finally, modern technology has enabled millions of disabled people to lead more independent and fulfilling lives.
Though modern technologies have a profound influence on many people’s lives, it is important to remember that not everyone has access to these luxuries. Only half of the world’s population has Internet access. In developing countries, that access usually is in the form of a smartphone, rather than a computer. Millions of people live without electricity, running water, or access to reliable transportation. In post-apartheid South Africa, for example, people still live in shanties with tin roofs. These people rarely receive an education, and even those that do are not encouraged to think critically. Survival is their primary goal. Thus, a lack of access to modern luxuries practically ensures that people in this situation will not become independent thinkers. Often, survival hinges upon group cohesion.
In contrast, people who do not live in abject poverty and who can take advantage of modern technology are more likely to be independent thinkers. Once people have access to shelter, heat, and food, what psychologist Abraham Maslow calls basic needs, they can then turn their attention to other pursuits, such as self-actualization. Self-actualization often involves taking risks and challenging authority, both of which are nearly impossible for people who fear for their survival on a daily basis. In addition, household inventions, such as washing machines and dishwashers, and modern-day transportation, such as cars and trains, free up large quantities of time. A scientist in the 1890s who spent eight hours a day engaged in various chores, or traveling from one place to another, might spend a fraction of that time on chores and travel today. As a result, he is able to devote more of his time to honing his critical thinking skills.
The millions of Americans with disabilities comprise another group for which the claim that modern conveniences interfere with the development of independent thought. Until relatively recently, blind people had incredibly limited options for employment. Many of them lived off social security and had to be cared for by family members. Now, with the advent of technology, such as computers with text-to-speech software, they can become productive members of the workforce. Without technology, blind people would never have achieved independence. Similarly, augmentative communication devices have enabled nonverbal autistic individuals to not only communicate their basic needs, but also to express original ideas. Prior to the invention of these devices, many people with autism were thought to be intellectually challenged and thus were never given the opportunity to contribute to society.
It is certainly true that email, smartphones, and social media might be correlated with an increased need for instant gratification. However, these technologies have not prevented people from becoming strong and independent individuals. On the contrary, technology and other modern conveniences have heightened our creative potential. Having immediate access to terabytes of information means that we are no longer subjected to the drudgery of memorizing facts, or spending long hours in a library flipping through immense tomes. Instead of digging for information, we can spend our time synthesizing what we have read and asking provocative questions. As technology becomes more advanced, the time we will be able to devote to creative endeavors will increase exponentially.
Ephemeral GirlyGirl 