Poetry Synthesis

Based on the article, “The Globe and Mail: Why it’s time to put your smartphone down. Seriously” (Zosia Bielski) and Prince EA’s poem, “Can We Auto-Correct Humanity?,” coincidentally have similarities. The message from both authors implied to the viewers that “social media” are actually establishing “antisocial.” As contradicting as that statement may seem, Bielski proved it by specifying, “American adults check their phones every 6 1/2 minutes, or approximately 150 times a day. Collectively in Canada, we send 224 million text messages a day while actual phone calls decline.” Bielski justifies that we, the people, would rather choose the easy way out of conversing with another vocally. By this, people grew more connected to the internet, mobile devices, and so many more technology devices, instead of connecting with other human being. Is that what our world has come to? “Cause friendships are more broken, and on our screens, on our very phones, We sit at home on our computers, measuring self-worth by numbers of followers and likes, Ignoring those that actually love us.” (Prince EA) Supporting Prince EA’s statement, Bielski states, “Yet we all do it: Slipping a phone onto the table, we put the people in front of us on pause to disappear into the vast elsewheres of our screens.” Not only social media has made all of us more antisocial, but people no longer know what love is or who loves them. “Technology has made us more selfish and separate than ever.” (Prince EA)

Lately I have been noticing that technology has become the majority of the human being’s best friend. Even if I was born during the “Technological Revolution,” I can not completely agree that technology has made the world better. But what I know for sure is that technology has changed the world. Boston clinical psychologist, Catherine Steiner-Adair said, “People simply might not have time to reach out to others and express empathy in a world … [of] technology revolving around personal needs and self-expression.” (Zosia Bielski) From reading Bielski’s news article and comparing with Prince EA’s poem, I agree with the two authors about technology, because I think technology is taking over the world. People are becoming less social and more independent, and it does not mean that it is a good thing. The thought of how technology is taking over the world reminds me of my childhood, when my friends and I used to play at the park, located behind our houses. Everyday after school we would meet, bringing out all of our toys. Pink Barbie scooters, colorful chalks, jump ropes, and so many more to entertain ourselves for hours, until our mothers would call us for dinner. I would never regret my childhood time spent with friends which I have connected with, through toys and enjoyment. Comparing my childhood to the children of 2015, brings me to sorrow. Nowadays different parks are closing, and more technology devices are owned by children. Kids play games independently, instead of running around outside with random friends. Over time, I have seen how new technology has changed people. It is amazing how technology devices and internet has the ability to connect one another all across the world but also has the ability to disconnect one another sitting right next to each other. Even if people believe that there are many positive factors towards new technological inventions as the time goes by, I think that the old is better than the new. Hopefully, new technology device ideas would not further disconnect us from living life and having fun.

Zosia Bielski and Prince EA convey the message about how technology has made us more “antisocial” even if it is called “social media.” This message may be hard to understand due to the contradiction, but without their message, the world would not not notice the negative side of technology. Also, wIth their message, the readers/viewers has the ability to view different perspective of technology, which the majority of us would overlook. FInally, Zosia Bielski and Prince EA’s message is beneficial for the readers because it helps us face the reality which technology has caused. Even if the articles focuses on the negative side of technology and social media, for better or worse, the new creation have changed the way we live. For example, technology and social media has created our lives to be more convenient, easier, and faster. We have the ability access to more information, turning our dreams into reality, and connecting all of us in different ways. Even if social media has expanded our horizon, it is not comparable to when we experience the reality with our own eyes. “Let me finish by saying that YOU DO HAVE A CHOICE. Yes, but this will not, this will not auto-correct. We must do it ourselves. Take control or be controlled, my friend. Make a decision.” (Prince EA)