The+Technological+Citizen

Name: Loh Jia Xin, Edna

Student Number: 07691734

Tutor's Name: Judith Meiklejohn

**The Technological Citizen **  The generation that is said to have brought upon the largest generational shift in the past sixty years, with estimated birth years between 1980s and 1990s, Generation Y begins to dominate workforces globally (Johnson, 2007). A generation that is otherwise known as the echo boomers, Net Generation, and milennials, Generation Y has been classified as the most technologically capable group in history (Steinwart, 2009). As written by Coley (2009), this is a group that is comfortable with sharing information about themselves and are also highly inquisitive of information from others. This trait is also explanatory as to why technology is fundamental in the daily lives of Net Generation, with the name acquired from the constancy of Internet in their lives and the inseparable role it plays, such as instant messaging services and blogging, which invariably affects this group's education and also their entertainment experiences (Steinwart, 2009).

**Artefact **



 "The Technological Citizen" is a blog that consists of a compilation of articles with interesting topics that depict the ethical and philosophical views towards technology. It can be seen as a looking glass to the society now, which is affected by the evolution in technology throughout the years. Two of the selected readings that relate to the topic discussed in this essay are "Children of Invention" by Morton Winston and, "The Unanticipated Consequences of Technology" written by Tim Healy. The Technological Citizen has also become one of the selected blogs in The Top Five Ethics Blog.

**Links to Artefacts: ** 1. "The Technological Citizen"- http://thetechnologicalcitizen.com/?page_id=3198 2. Children of Invention- http://networks.cs.ucdavis.edu/~mukherje/188/ChildrenOfInvention.pdf 3. The Unanticipated Consequences of Technology- http://www.scu.edu/ethics/publications/submitted/healy/consequences.html

**Public Health Issue **  As technology revolutionizes, it has brought upon great controversies and the divide between techno-optimists and techno-pessimists has become more prominent as well (The Technological Citizen, 2010). From a social point of view, social dislocation and alienation are some of the repercussions shadowing the growth in technology (The Technological Citizen, 2010). In Children of Invention (The Technological Citizen, 2010), the author talked about some tragic events that had taken place as technology flourished, like the detrimental side effects of the miracle chemical dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane ( DDT) and also the Chernobyl nuclear plant disaster in 1986. Aside from these events, the vast evolution and propagation of Information Communication Technologies in the past fifteen years have also introduced public health issues like internet abuse and pathological video game addiction, which on multiple levels, impose damaging results on users (Gentile, 2009). **Literature Review **  Steinwart (2009) wrote that the development of electronic communication is so massive that its revolution could be measured to the Industrial Revolution in the 1800s. In the past two decades, the conservative communication model of tele-communication has been superseded and replaced with a whole new level of "connected presence" (Licoppe & Smoreda, 2005). Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) have become fundamental tools in creating the identity Generation Y has now, attracting children of this generation to not only bold graphics, but also a belief in equality of speech (Parker, Haytko & Hermans, 2009). Structural network analyses of social networks in the 1970s have also given to society a valued tool for sociological exploration into individual action and also an insight into the collective wonder of humanity (Licoppe & Smoreda, 2005). In short, technology has, in many ways, played its indispensable role in shaping the cultural spheres we have now (Weber, 2005). For instance, the impact of gunpowder in empowering military forces, and the use of labour-saving devices in the promotion of women's emancipation (Weber, 2005).

 The emergence of each new technology has its own supporters and critics, the former highlighting educational opportunities and the latter accusing technology of promulgation of harmful messages (Steinwart, 2005). Since 1989, it has been witnessed that there is an exponential growth in internet users, with the worldwide online population accelerating from 500000 to more than 700 million users (Morahan-Martin, 2005). Steinwart (2009) wrote that the Net Generation is the pioneer to experiencing such extensive universal technological change. As the growth of internet users continue to thrive, so does the development of disturbed online behaviours; This became a public health concern as accounts of Internet-addicts started surfacing in popular press in the early 1990s, leading to establishment of response groups and centres to this proliferating issue, like the Computer Addiction Service at McLean Hospital and online support groups (Morahan-Martin, 2005). Morahan-Martin (2005) also wrote that researchers discovered 5.9% to 13.0% of total Internet users display perturbed behaviours online, and in the United States and Europe, 15% of University students are aware of such behaviours among the people around them.

 Allegations of internet addiction were very much based on subjective experiences of both self-reported and evidence-based Internet abuse, with most accounts reporting impairments involving school-related problems, truancy, interpersonal issues, and to an extent, impaired health (Morahan-Martin, 2005). Internet addicts were said to mirror similar characteristics as substance abusers and pathological gamblers (Morahan-Martin, 2005). However, controversies have been raised in regards to the extended use of the term //addiction// as there is a concern that this may create confusion to the understanding and prescribed treatment for both substance abuse and other compulsive behaviours termed as addictions (Morahan-Martin, 2005). There is also a fear that the labelling of addiction would worsen addictive behaviours as people would perceive their compulsive behaviours as a form of disease that they are incapable of acting upon (Morahan-Martin, 2005). Hence, internet abuse is more correctly defined as "an impulse-control disorder" (Morahan-Martin, 2005, p.40).

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Internet abuse among adolescents have also been associated with repetitive motion injuries, social alienation and increased risk in obesity, with the aforementioned as negative outcomes of it (Castiglione, 2007). A study by Gentile (2009) has shown that 8.5% of young video-gamers of ages eight to eighteen displayed pathological behaviours of play that encompasses a wide array of problems from school to psychological functioning. This study correlates to prevalence displayed in studies conducted in other nations; Some of the figures of children with such disorders reported were around 9% in Europe, Middle Eastern region ranging from 1% to 12%, and Asia consisting of figures between 2% and 18% (e.g., Christakis, 2010; Gentile, 2009), thus validating the concern that pathological gaming poses threats to one's health (Gentile, 2009). Another given example of the detrimental effects of internet abuse was the death of a 28-year-old repairmen by cardiac arrest after gaming online for fifty hours, with neither food nor sleep (Christakis, 2010). Subsequently, this case has raised Korea's attention and a national survey done showed 4% of children suffer from such compulsive behaviours online (Christakis, 2010). This has once again proven that internet abuse, even though not clinically included in a psychopathological framework, is a condition worthy of public consciousness, due to its increasing prevalence and also its correspondence to actual recognized disorders (Christakis, 2010).

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Christakis (2010) commented that this relatively new condition that is hitherto understudied has made generalizations difficult, as estimates can be easily misinterpreted due to the changeable scales. There are also conflicting reports present, and with the additional methodological weaknesses like sampling bias, further research into this field has been impeded (Christakis, 2010). Other than the previously stated, early studies concerning internet addiction were based on voluntary internet surveys that were absent of measurable denominators, which in turn posed as a major limitation to redressing this issue (Christakis, 2010). The issue of this condition being not formally recognized and subsequently, its lacking of an official diagnostic criteria, has caused its diagnosis to be retrieved from a wide array of compulsive addictive behaviours that are nonpharmalogical (Christakis, 2010). However, the significant difference from those existing behaviours is that structural constraints by law are present for the usage of such recognized conditions, but it was mostly debates on prevalence of pathological use of Internet that were being conducted (Christakis, 2010).

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Cultural and Social Analysis ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Before the 1970s, capitalism was the term that predominated the world of sociology, modernity has yet to become the focus of sociology until the early 1990s, when sociologists like Anthony Giddens started emphasizing on modernity in books like //Modernity and Identity// (Venn & Featherstone, 2006). Also, such terminology shifts can also be seen in cultural studies like Stuart Hall's influential Open University volume that was produced in 1992: //Formation of Modernity// (Venn & Featherstone, 2006). According to Venn and Featherstone (2006), the verb 'to modernize' in the English language was primarily introduced in the 18th century, as means to signify changes to buildings, language and fashions. As time progressed to the mid nineteenth century, a sense of improvement and efficiency were the criteria to usage of the term modern (Venn & Featherstone, 2006). In contemporary social science, the conventional use of modernization is represented by terms like democracy, technology, and industrialization (Venn & Featherstone, 2006).

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> A lecture conducted by Werner Sombart investigated the causal linkage between technology and economy, and subsequently economy and culture; This in turn contradicted the staunch Marxist reasoning of a single causal relationship between economy and culture (Weber, 2005). Professor Max Weber's later work resonated with this theory and highlighted his primary concern on the impact of technology on moulding "the cultural worldview of modernity" (Weber, 2005, p.24), and also the probability of technology facilitating the surfacing of new value-forms (Weber, 2005). Weber's interpretation of culture was that it "is a value-concept. Empirical reality becomes 'culture' to us because and insofar as we relate it to value ideas" (Reckling, 2001, p.155). He also commented that one's perception of something that is meaningful to one is the driving force of it becoming an item of investigation to humankind (Reckling, 2001). The paradigm shift from Generation X to Generation Y has created a great digital divide that has also raised interests of researchers to grasp the impact of technology on Generation Y (Steinwart, 2009). With the rise in Internet use, Christakis (2010) wrote that measures need to be taken to protect children of this generation from the dangers of technological revolution like compulsive Internet disorders. On a side note, an exploration done by Best and Wade (2009) also investigated the global impact of Internet penetration on democratization. Since the revolution of the Internet, researchers have not only been interested in its effect on one's health, but on a larger scale, its link to the manoeuvre of political institutions (Best & Wade, 2009).

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Analysis of Artefact ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> In one of the selected articles, Healy (n.d.) discussed the universal phenomenon of the unanticipated outcomes of technology, placing emphasis on the nature of Change; At the same time, he related this idea to the advancement of technology as interventions of humans, and the complex unintended consequences of those actions (The Technological Citizen, 2010). I was able to ponder on the advancement of internet based on Healy's analysis, with its sole purpose of providing educational benefits and convenience to the contemporary society, but at the same time bringing the inevitable issue of compulsive use, particularly in children and adolescents.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Also, Morton Winston who wrote Children of Invention elaborated on the development of civilization that has entrapped the modern society in a technological cocoon, extracting us of our ability to comprehend and analyse how technology has transformed human existence. This made me realize that the culture of society now is strongly moulded by technology, and that our ways of living have become so greatly altered that the necessities of humans now may no longer consist of just air, water and food. In Children of Invention, there is a subject on organization of people controlled by //invisible technologies//. Best and Wade (2009) illustrated this idea by writing that the degree of acceleration of Internet has become a convenient gateway for citizens to expose of any abuse of power by the government, thus making the Internet a powerful determinant in democratizing force in 2001 to 2002. This made me contemplate on the advancement of technologies in different parts of the world and their impact on the systems in different countries, that will ultimately affect the structure of a country.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> My Comments on Other Topics: **

1. 'Dial up to the residue. Now I'm nuts, just like a blue cashew.' - Is this how we have come to view mental health in 2011???

You discussed about the stereotype society has towards mental illness in your essay, amplified by the negative media coverage. This really made me ponder on the harsh reality of people mistreating the mentally ill, and not giving them the respect they deserve. Besides that, you also talked about how important empathy is to creating a positive mental health mind frame, and how that is vital in their recovery. Hence it made me realize that the role we can play is to keep an open mind and understand the true concept of mental health. Just like in the film "Girl, Interrupted", Susanna quoted "Crazy isn't being broken or swallowing a dark secret. It's you or me amplified.

2. Consumerism and Individualism - Their impact on the health of Gen Y.

I have read your essay and could not help but agree to the characteristics of Gen Y in consumerism. An open group that is tolerant toward diverse lifestyles, Gen Y is also said to be worldly enough to not fall for certain advertising tactics (Noble, Haytko, & Phillips, 2008). Also, I saw the statistics on the Australian Businesswomen Network (ABN) blog that has shown that Australia ranks number one in educational attainment, which signifies that the government is investing on more women getting education. This coincides with the discussion in your essay on more women of Gen Y pursuing higher education and being aware of the importance of education.

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">References ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Best, M. L., & Wade, K. W. (2009). The internet and democracy: Global catalyst or democratic dud? //Bulletin of Science, Technology & Society, 29//(4), 255-271. doi: 10.1177/0270467609336304

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Castiglione, J. (2007). Internet abuse and possible addiction among undergraduates: A developing concern for library and university administrators. //Library Review, 57//(5), 358-371. doi: 10.1108/00242530810875140

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Christakis, D. A. (2010). Internet addiction: a 21st century epidemic? //BMC Medicine, 8//(1), 61. doi: 10.1186/1741-7015-8-61

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">Coley, D. C. (2009). Leading generation Y. //Education Digest, 74//(9), 20-23. Retrieved from <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">http://web.ebscohost.com.ezp01.library.qut.edu.au/ehost/detail?sid=14179ea4-29a3-4936-928415dd631412f6%40sessionmgr110&vid=1&hid=123&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=tfh&AN=38608382

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">Gentile, D. (2009). Pathological video-game use among youth ages 8 to 18. //Psychological Science, 20//(5), 594-602. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9280.2009.02340.x

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Johnson, A. (2007, February). Understanding generation Y. //Manufacturers' Monthly//, p. 14. Retrieved from http://gateway.library.qut.edu.au/login?url=http:search.proquest.com.ezp01.library.qut.edu.au/docview/196939421?accountid=13380

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Licoppe, C., & Smoreda, Z. (2005). Are social networks technologically embedded? How networks are changing today with changes in communication technology. //Social Networks, 27//(1), 317-335. doi: 10.1016/j.socnet.2004.11.001

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Maclachlan, M. (2000). Cultivating pluralism in health psychology. //Journal of Health Psychology, 5//(3), 373-382. doi: 10.1177/135910530000500311

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Morahan-Martin, J. (2005). Internet abuse: Addiction? Disorder? Symptom? Alternative explanations? //Social Science Computer Review, 23//(1), 39-48. doi: 10.1177/0894439304271533

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Parker, R. S., Haytko, D. L., & Hermans, C. M. (2009). Individualism and collectivism: Reconsidering old assumptions. //Journal of International Business Research, 8//(1), 127-139. Retrieved from http://gateway.library.qut.edu.au/login?url=http:search.proquest.com.ezp01.library.qut.edu.au/docview/215464153?accountid=13380

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Reckling, F. (2001). Interpreted modernity: Weber and Taylor on values and modernity. //European Journal of Social Theory, 4//(2), 153-176. doi: 10.1177/13684310122225055

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Steinwart, M. C. (2009). //Can you hear me now? A phenomenological study of the net generation's workplace communication skills// (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from UMI Dissertation Publishing database. (UMI 3448400)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Venn, C., & Featherstone, M. (2006). Modernity. //Theory, Culture & Society, 23//(2-3), 457-476. doi: 10.1177/0263276406064829

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Weber, M. (2005). Remarks on technology and culture. //Theory, Culture & Society, 22//(4), 23-38. doi: 10.1177/0263276405054989