What is technology dependence?

Mass communication strongly depends on technology. In today’s society technology is necessary to communicate messages to large audiences. Before we had technology the only source of communication was interpersonal communication, which is defined as face-to-face communication. “For centuries people communicated in large groups, as in town-hall meetings and concert halls, without microphones - just the human voice.” (John Vivian, 23) Media is continuously evolving and growing as is our dependence on printing, chemical, electronic and digital technology. We, the consumers, rely on technology to inform and entertain us. Without technology, our day-to-day activities would change drastically. Imagine life without some of the things you depend on such as; The New York Times, Facebook, going to the movies, Blackberries, People Magazine, cable television, iTouches, Google, novels and even, your family photographs. Technology dependence isn’t necessarily a good or a bad thing. Technology is capable of diminishing the human brain’s capacity to concentrate and contemplate, “My mind now expects to take in information the way the Net distributes it: in a swiftly moving stream of particles. Once I was a scuba diver in the seas of words. Now I zip along the surface like a guy on a Jet Ski.” (Nicholas Carr, Atlantic Monthly) On a more positive note, technology updates us with the currents events, educates us through books and inspires us through music. Our lives are controlled by the media, which explains the increasing demand and dependence on technology.