Avid technology enthusiasts are jubilant about the progress that human civilization has made over the past century. Thanks to innovations in almost every arena, from communications to transportation, people can work much more efficiently. A letter that would have taken days to send a hundred years ago now reaches is recipient in seconds. While our increased productivity is definitely advantageous in some respects, the fast-paced lifestyle with which most of us are accustomed can also have detrimental effects on our well-being and on the fabric of society as a whole. More specifically, the obesity rate is rising due to our increased consumption of processed foods. In addition, the pervasiveness of technology is partially responsible for the erosion of the American family and the increased prevalence of autism.
In the past, the lack of processed and microwaveable foods meant that people had to spend more time cooking and less time on their work. However, these supposed gains in our productivity come at the cost of our health. More than a third of American adults, children, and adolescents are considered to be obese, and one in twenty adults are considered to be extremely obese. One of the primary causes of obesity is the consumption of processed foods, such as TV dinners or meals from fast-food restaurants. These foods tend to contain copious amounts of sodium and sugar. Furthermore, the advent of rapid forms of transportation has meant that most Americans exercise less than they did a century ago. Children who might once have walked to a friend’s house across town now simply send a text message. Obesity can lead to a wide range of health problems, including diabetes and heart disease. Thus, our fast-paced lifestyle has grave health and financial consequences.
The technologies on which we depend also negatively shape how people interact with each other. Even thirty years ago, most American families made a concerted effort to sit down to dinner together as a family on most nights. Now, American children tend to be extremely overscheduled. Long hours of homework, sports, and other after-school activities mean that dinner is often a rushed affair, sometimes eaten on the go. These trends persist, despite research stating that family dinners improve academic performance and decrease the risk of substance abuse and teenage pregnancy. Even when families do manage to coordinate schedules so that a family dinner is possible, both children and adults frequently spend these dinners glued to their smartphones. Though social media was ostensibly designed to bring people together, the reality is that it tends to push them apart.
The disconnect caused by technology can also take an extreme form. The prevalence of autism is on the rise, especially in areas such as Silicon Valley, where people’s reliance on technology is particularly pronounced. According to a recent study, one out of every 150 children in Silicon Valley has an autism diagnosis. Children in this region tend to be given access to technology at very young ages, and their parents often work long hours. These factors might put children at an increased risk for autism. Autism is a profound developmental disorder that severely limits children’s ability to empathize with others. Treatments involve expensive behavioral therapies, such as applied behavioral analysis, which help children develop social skills. Some people with autism are incapable of caring for themselves, and thus place a life-long burden on their parents. Consequently, our fast-paced lifestyle is putting both our physical and mental health in jeopardy.
It is clear from the above examples that the frenetic pace of life today creates more problems than it solves. People might be able to accomplish tasks more quickly, but their health suffers as a result. Fortunately, more and more individuals are recognizing that modern technology has its dark side. There is a rising slow foods movement in some parts of the country, and some schools are instituting screenless days. It is my greatest hope that we continue to find ways to return to the basics and connect with our natural environment before it is too late.
Ephemeral GirlyGirl 