Focal things and practices

Borgmann and Heidegger state that modern technology has harmful effects on humankind. Borgmann wants to limit our dependence on technology. He understands that is has beneficial aspects; however our society cannot limit ourselves to brief exposures and uses. We are dependent to spend as much time using technology without any regard to the negative impacts it is having on us. Modern technology causes commodities and these commodities go against Borgmann’s ideas of focal practices and things. These focal things are simple activities that do not require modern technology. Some of these focal practices are running, culture of the table, baseball, and reading. All of these focal practices and things can be very simplistic, but modern technology has tried to make each one of them a commodity. He believes that the use of focal things force engagement in the world. Focal things assist people’s lives in a productive way and definitely would help with the loneliness and depression caused by technology. Borgmann states that the simplistic things are those that focus on gathering information about the world in order to benefit humanity. This information gathering and benefits are done by highlighting important concerns of life. Borgmann illustrates that we can live functional lives without always relying on technology.