As technology becomes a more influential part of human society, questions are raised considering its impact on society. Clive Thompson’s article, Smarter than You Think: How Technology Is Changing Our Minds for the Better, addresses this issue by stating that technology has a positive effect on society. Jenna Wortham’s article, I Had a Nice Time with You Tonight. On the App., presents a similar argument, but takes a different approach, by making her argument more grounded in everyday life. Thompson’s analysis of how technology positively affects humanity can help shed light on Wortham’s observations about present day technology’s positive effects on communication. This is seen through Thompson 's ideas that include how technology is having
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Thompson reports that with the increase of technology there has been an increase of ways to share ideas and opinions (352). One way this has benefited human society is, “Our social awareness is shifting, too, as we develop ESP-like ‘ambient awareness,’ a persistent sense of what others are doing and thinking” (Thompson 352). Simply put, the technology humanity has presently is making the population more aware of those around them. Because of the increased awareness that people have, they also have an expanded knowledge on foreign affairs, thus making conventional political problems, such as “pluralistic ignorance”, invalid (352). In other words, technology has a positive influence on humanity by making individuals more connected, thus allowing for political and social change to happen more quickly. Thompson uses this information to further the argument that technology has enhanced society by allowing individuals to connect with one …show more content…
With the technology that is available presently, it is very easy to communicate an idea, find others who share the same thoughts, or be introduced to an opposing opinion (Thompson 349). According to Thompson, “there’s the advent of “public thinking”: the ability to broadcast our ideas and the catalytic effect that has both inside and outside our minds” (Thompson 352). To put it bluntly, there has been an increase in the amount of information the human population receives and sends out, meaning that the way society thinks is changing. At this point in history, the public is being assaulted with information from friends, family and others meaning it is easy to find information, make connections between information and have a debate about the information (Thompson 352). He emphasizes the belief that the technology presently available is helping humanity be more
Thompson reports that with the increase of technology there has been an increase of ways to share ideas and opinions (352). One way this has benefited human society is, “Our social awareness is shifting, too, as we develop ESP-like ‘ambient awareness,’ a persistent sense of what others are doing and thinking” (Thompson 352). Simply put, the technology humanity has presently is making the population more aware of those around them. Because of the increased awareness that people have, they also have an expanded knowledge on foreign affairs, thus making conventional political problems, such as “pluralistic ignorance”, invalid (352). In other words, technology has a positive influence on humanity by making individuals more connected, thus allowing for political and social change to happen more quickly. Thompson uses this information to further the argument that technology has enhanced society by allowing individuals to connect with one …show more content…
With the technology that is available presently, it is very easy to communicate an idea, find others who share the same thoughts, or be introduced to an opposing opinion (Thompson 349). According to Thompson, “there’s the advent of “public thinking”: the ability to broadcast our ideas and the catalytic effect that has both inside and outside our minds” (Thompson 352). To put it bluntly, there has been an increase in the amount of information the human population receives and sends out, meaning that the way society thinks is changing. At this point in history, the public is being assaulted with information from friends, family and others meaning it is easy to find information, make connections between information and have a debate about the information (Thompson 352). He emphasizes the belief that the technology presently available is helping humanity be more