After digesting our discussion concerning Donna Haraway and her positive view of technology, I find that I agree with her on many points. Without doubt, technology affects the way we perceive ourselves and others, enmeshing itself so completely into our lives that upon encountering a person who lacks what one could term the basic technological necessities we are unsettled. Hence, technology influences us in all aspects and nuances of our lives. However, is this dependence healthy?
Taking into account the arguments of Borgmann and Dreyfus, I believe such an obvious dependence on technology is dangerous. While there are many technological advances that are beneficial to society as a whole, technology can also produce dramatic, negative effects on our psyche as well as our bodies. For instance, long hours spent developing relationships through the internet can result in a separation from reality that constitutes an altered and potentially disillusioned view of embodied contact and humanity. In addition, these long hours spent sitting in front of the computer take away from time that could be spent in activities benefiting the body and mind such as exercise.
To conclude, although technology offers improvements for our quality of life, we must find a balance between technology and reality. Without doubt, in order to be deemed cyborgs, technology must play an integral part of our lives. However, that technology must not disguise or discredit what connects us to reality.
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