An idea from Dr. Millers' speaking engagement that I did not quite understand was the one pertaining to how we walked into the digital age as if we were still in the analog age. I guess what he was getting at is that we developed a multitude of life-changing technologies so rapidly that much of the population did not have time to prepare for and combat negative consequences. He then went on to say that, “we need technologies that serve humans instead of manipulating us via repeated dopamine shots.” I found this to be so true in my personal experience, whether I am feeling bored or just down on my confidence I often look to my device to entertain me and bring my spirits up. One of the most thought-provoking points made during the talk was when Miller compared human technology use to operant conditioning and the studies of B.F. Skinner with drooling canines. We have literally been trained to automatically get a hit of feel-good hormones every single time that we pick up our phones. No matter if it is sending a text, scrolling through Facebook, or reading emails, there is a certain excitement associated with smart device usage. Social media companies made their product free so that we would continue using them; the more we are happy, the more we use them, and the more money they make.
Then comes the issue of canceled culture; not just of Uncle Bens, Aunt Gemima, or the Washington Redskins, other more opinion-based things. Developing author's books are removed from Amazon online stores, and Facebook can block all users with just the click of a button. And what happens to the little barbershop that utilizes Facebook to advertise and communicate with customers? The big technology companies are beginning to have a large effect on the small developing business that rely on their platforms for sales. Dr. Miller even said that cancellations are just manifestations of deeper issues within technology and big businesses. And because so much of what is on the internet is ephemeral, it influences our daily lives in ways that we do not even realize. Drugs and violence are being marketed to young people causing behavioral issues, while pornography access is causing men to struggle in real-life relationships with women. But the big idea, the main thought that struck me the hardest was that big tech is offering a distraction from the very things that make us happy: family, friends, and life experiences. We go on a vacation, we have to take pictures and videos and broadcast them to the world, we do not live in the moment. Parents now have the unending ability to work from home, and are frequently telling their children, “not now, I’m busy.” We are all pursuing our goals and dreams, but the distractions brought by big technology companies are creating a world in which we cannot genuinely enjoy our successes.
