Technology has played an increasingly important role in the development of industrialized society. In the last ten years, the importance of the computer based communication system "Internet" has rapidly increased. While the Internet has allowed for major advances in rapid communication, it has also been a damaging influence on human and humane relationships. It has fostered the growth of impersonal and insincere relationships, reduced our morality tolerance levels and intruded on our personal free time. .
The Internet has become yet another activity that consumes the little amount of free time that we have. In an ever increasingly rapid society, our free time must be carefully managed and planned. Unfortunately, much like the television did 50 years ago, the Internet has become another tool to quench our insatiable appetite for information. Human beings are essentially inquisitive and receive pleasure from information. In a sense, the Internet is more addictive than Television. Television will provide you with information, some of which might not be interesting to you. However, the Internet allows you to select the information you would like to view. "During the past two years, the amount of time the average Internet user spends online each week has risen from 4.4 to 7.6 hours" (Wright 56).
The current generation of children is using computers and the Internet since their youth. While becoming more proficient in computer skills, they have learned to develop artificial relationships with computers. By spending more time online, interpersonal relationships suffer. "We've acquired the short-term data that enables us to convert natural resources into artificial contrivances, but we've lost the long-term wisdom that tells us those same natural resources allowed us to attain far deeper joys and insights when left in their natural state." (Gunn G1) Our reliance on technology has alienated us from nature, and as we are a part of nature, has decreased our desire for interacting with fellow human beings.
