Kozminski Techblog

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Since the rise of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, there has been no doubt that the rapid industrialisation of technologies has brought about unsurmmountable benefits to the people in terms of helping us to stay connected with each other. For example, through the creation of modern forms of transportation such as aeroplanes and high-speed trains, we are now able to reach certain areas of the world which were once almost entirely inaccessibe, in relatively short periods of time too. The effects of these on human relationships have been unfathomable, as friends and families who were once separated from each other are now able to travel with much more ease to each other, and even though they may both be located in different countries, they are only a few hours away from each other. Because of this accessibility, people are much more connected to each other in other parts of the world, hence many would agree that technology has greatly benefited human relationships when it comes to transportation.

However, the issue of social connectivity poses a greater dilemma to us in terms of whether it has truly helped to improve human relationships or not. An article by IT Chronicles accurately reflects many of the challenges that technology has caused to debilitate human relationships, and it states how because of how digitalised the world has become, it has led to a world of online isolation for many when we are tuned into our own digital devices. For example, studies found that US adults spend “10-and-a-half-hours every single day consuming media”, and these media technology include “TV, computers, radio, smartphones and tablets.” Out of 24 hours in a day, 10-and-a-half-hours that one spends focusing on a screen, not communicating or socializing with anyone is definitely a significant portion of time, and the result is that we may tend to feel even more isolated than ever.

Additionally, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has also led to a corruption of social relationships. For example, many parents have voice their concerns over how they have noticed that their children have been exceptionally rude towards digital assistants such as Siri and Alexa, shouting demands in an impolite manner, knowing that they will be served regardless of their tone and bear no consequence. This is particularly concerning because parents are afraid that the densensitisation to these digital assistants would translate to the lack of care, sympathy and affection and for their human counterparts in future when they have been accustomed to treating those serving them with little respect or regard for them. Hence, it is worrying that AI may be slowly debilitating childrens’ ability for sympathetic connection.

However, despite these drawbacks that technology has created on human relationships, there is a silver lining that technology has brought to us, even when we are all isolated from each other. When Covid-19 hit, many were forced to stay home to prevent the spread of the virus, and this included children and youths attending classes online while adults worked from home. Despite the fact that we were physically distanced from each other, many were able to keep in touch with each other through video chat platforms such as Zoom, Skype and even FaceTime. Many made the best out of a bad situation and adapted to it, using these platforms to hold virtual birthday parties, weddings, or even as a way to get together and participate in online games as a group, such as virtual escape room.

Furthermore, social activities that would have been impossible to conduct admist the pandemic were made possible and encouraged online through the use of technology. For example, while cinemas and concerts were not allowed to operate and host shows, many people took to using watch parties such as Netflix Party and Scener to be able to watch shows with their loved ones in sync and in real time, all while taking place online and in separate locations. Also, bands and artists such as Coldplay and JJ Lin streamed live “concerts” on their social media platforms such as Instagram Live, YouTube and Facebook Live, so that their fans could stay in touch with them and attend a “concert” from their comforts of their homes, keeping the love for the artist and their music alive even in a period without concerts.

An article by Next Nature perfectly reflects the sentiments that I share with regards to technology, that despite its drawbacks, it has served many well during pandemic, granting us a plethora of options to stay connected with each other and go about social activities viryually. While there is no doubt that some may have felt the negative impacts of the pandemic on their social lives increase by twofolds, there is no denying that technology has created various opportunities to combat these effects.

Hence, in my opinion, for us to maintain a healthy relationship with technology, we always need to recognise that much like fire, technology should not be our master but act as our servant, We need to recognise that it should neber be used to replace human touch, but should be used to help us reconnect with others, and the pandemic has proven that it has successfully done just that.

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Cancel culture is now a term that many of us who have been on the internet long enough are familiar with. For those who are unaware, cancel culture refers to the type of ostracism and shame one faces when they are called out publicly for their misdoings, be it online on social media platforms or in person. The goal of “cancelling” someone is to typically hold them accountable for their words or actions, and often some type of response and consequence is expected from them, such as them being relieved of duty from their current job, or a sincere, public apology at the very least. Whether you have been “cancelled” before or participated in the act of “cancelling” someone, everyone can agree that this culture is one that is highly controversial.

An article by Vice kicks off this debate by rallying for the benefits that cancel culture has brought about, its main argument being that “it’s a way for marginalized communities to publicly assert their value systems through pop culture.” This works especially well for people who hold high positions of power, such as politicians and celebrities, as the fear of being removed from their power or loss of support from their hundreds and thousands of fans would incentivise them to at least administer a public apology. However, this raises a whole issue altogether, which is whether the person being “cancelled” is truly apologetic, or whether they are still set in their own ways but have to apologise anyway to prevent themselves from being “cancelled.” Hence, the article states that whether cancel culture is truly effective or not is uncertain, but it is our best bet in “mobiliz[ing] people and direct intentions toward better legislative possibilities.”

However, I am more inclined to believe that cancel culture has done more damage than good, and should be done away with. After all, what good is a public apology if it is not truly sincere? Furthermore, the harm from cancel culture can be seen from when the effects of “cancelling” head in a more serious and fatal direction. An example of this was when the Boston Marathon bomber was wrongly identified by users on Reddit as then 26 year old Sunil Tripathi. Not only was he was wrongly accused, but he was cyberbullied mercilessly everday, with thousands of strangers sending him hateful messages and death threats. Eventually, the public received what they wanted as Sunil Tripathi eventually committed suicide before it was eventually discovered that he was not the bomber after all. With that, those who took part in the cancellation received no consequences while an innocent life was lost in the process.

When it comes to cancel culture, it is extremely harmful when people do not know the full context of things, and are ready to roll with the mob mentality, their pitchforks raised. An article by Psychology Today sums up the detriments and toxicity of cancel culture which I agree with, as instead of discussing different opinions, people are getting “cancelled” for having opinions which differ from the majority group or the group which is most vocal. This is also detrimental because the act of doing so forces people to conform with the majority, leaving little room for intellectual debates and discussions when so many people are quick to “cancel” someone. If this persists, sooner or later, we would all just be bricks in the wall, following the social norm out of fear of being “cancelled”. Hence with that, I believe it is time to #CancelCancelCulture.