The document discusses whether people are too dependent on computers. It notes that while computers provide many advantages for communication, education, business and entertainment, they also have disadvantages for health and development. Some argue computers could replace important skills, while others say students and schools benefit from computer use. Overall, the document debates both sides of the issue without reaching a clear conclusion about the level of dependency.
1. Argumentative Essay “Are we too dependent on computer?”
Posted on September 26, 2012 by sharmainerodelas
Computers are good means of education because it helps student practice writing, learning
and reading. It helps us find out and analyze any kind of information. It makes us think, thus, evolve.
With the help of computers and the Internet, we can talk to people from different countries, and
even see them. Computers also have its own disadvantages like it has harmful impact on people’s
health. The most hazardous part of any computer is its screen. Due to it, users can get 2 types of
radiation: X-ray and electromagnetic radiation. Both types influence health and our eyesight.
Computers also make people addicted. In fact, Chinese scientists consider the Internet and
computer addiction to be a serious psychological problem. It also hampers people’s development in
real life. We do not read printed books anymore, since we can listen to audio books or read books
online. We spend less time with people, since we would rather talk to someone online.
Nowadays people use computers in business, public services, education and, most of all, in
entertainment. Almost everything we do and every aspect of our life is affected by modern
technology like the computers. There are a lot of advantages using modern technology. Firstly,
computer – controlled cars, planes or ships allow us to travel safely. Secondly, all the mental work
we need to do, from simple equation to huge statistic data would be almost impossible without
using the calculator. Finally, medical care and all the equipment used while helping people would
not provide such results if led only by human hand. We should also remember about large branch of
entertainment, from television and video with remote control to the Internet, all the children of
modern technology.
Most people use computer instead of book. According to school research, students choose
computer to do their homework. Some people believe that books are more useful than computers.
However, this research indicates that children and teenagers benefit from computer more than
book. Therefore, schools should purchase computer rather than compiling library because of two
main reasons: students can reach every information without spending much time and use computer
when they do their homework. Businesses today want employees who are able to use computer
because all companies use computer in order to connect with other companies. If children learn how
to use a computer in early in life, they can improve their skills from day to day. In the future all
people will be controlling their job from computer. To sum up, school has a big part of children’s
lives. Therefore school managers should spend money to built computer lab. They should give a
change to their students to save time and learn computer. If students spend less time for their
homework by using computer, they can join after school activities such as playing basketball with
peer.
2. The spell check feature on word processing problems has long been a problem for both students and
teachers. Because the program automatically catches spelling mistakes, students are less cautious
when typing, and may not bother learning the correct spelling on a certain word simply because they
can rely on the word processing program. In addition, spell check is often ineffective if a student
mistakenly types one word that is correctly spelled but not the proper word. For example, if a
student enters the sentence “He wouldn’t except the package,” spell check will not identify that
“accept” should be used, because “except” is properly spelled. Other word processing features such
as the dictionary and thesaurus can be used as learning tools, but too often are used to “cheat” and
add perceived depth to an assignment without truly learning the new vocabulary. Word processors
and advancements in software have changed the way assignments and works are approached in
school. However, while word processing offers many pros, there are also disadvantages to students
relying on these programs. The overall fear with any given reason is that computer software and
word processors will allow students to become complacent and cease to think critically about their
writing.
Books can play a very important role in shaping our life because we can learn lots of things easily
from books. Books provide a great solution in front of us to learn about anything and increase our
knowledge level. Therefore, large numbers of people around the world read books because they find
them very useful. Books are present in our world from many centuries in different forms and shapes
of books are changing with time.
Learning is a significant process in human being life. It is self-evidence that human development
cannot stand without a good learning. To reach that target, people always search the appropriate
ways. Besides, the main important elements that help people to learn are books and experiences
because of their unlimited benefits. The book is a valuable source of knowledge that consists of
infinite benefits. It transports us into different worlds and cultures, as well as, it informs us about
ancient civilizations and more. In addition, it helps us to learn about new technologies and literature.
It allows speaking languages fluently and to communicate spontaneously. Therefore, the book can
be faithful friend and the nearest into us which can guide us to how to behave in our practical life.
And experience keeps our minds aware of the way to solve some problems, for example, if someone
re-confront a problem, it would be easy for him/her to solve it. Experience also could indicate to us
the suitable method of living in our life. In conclusion, learning is a strong challenge that requires
patience and efforts. Books and experiences are the best sources of learning because of their vast
importance and great advantages. Therefore, books are the first choice and computers are the
second choice of the user in searching. Maybe people think that the information is more reliable on
the textbooks than on the internet or computer.
There are numerous things a person can find in a dictionary. The first and obvious things in a
dictionary that people think of are definitions. The words are all in alphabetic or A-B-C order.
Words sometimes have more than one definition. There is also other information about words such
as their function or part of speech, their pronunciation, as well as origins, or roots, of words. A fun
3. thing to do might be to open a dictionary and see what kind of information you can find. And some
are still using these references and they do not rely on the spell checks on the computer. Because
people who still uses these are thinking that spell-checks on the computer might be wrong.
People are on the new generation and high-technology is part of it. People just use these resources
like computers for our daily lives in order to save time and make things easier. Technology has been
developing. Therefore schools should obey modern world’s rule. They should prefer computer
because firstly, today all documents and data are written on computer especially internet. People
share their countless sources by using internet. In addition, books are read in the internet. All of this
acknowledges shows that computers and internet are treasure for students. For example, when a
student want to search his homework topic such as history of art. He can just read one book because
of deadline. He can access all information about his homework by using internet website include in
articles pictures or short films. All of these are good reason to choose computer. However, some
people are concerned by the developments. They point out all the failures made by computers that
have done a lot of harm to people. Scientists fear that the vital skills can be lost by next generations
as computer technology replaces traditional ways of working. Moreover, they predict the chaos that
can occur when suddenly the systems fail to work or, what is worse, refuse to listen to people’s
orders.
That is why in my opinion, computers and other developments of technology are useful and there is
no possibility to live without them nowadays, as we got too much used to them. However, we
should also work to find the ways of making our dependence on technology less dangerous for us.
New developments much be utilized when it is important and helpful for people. Also depends on
the user if he would be dependent or not on the computers. Let us be aware of using these
computers.
http://fastexposure.wordpress.com/2012/05/24/are-we-dependent-on-computers-no-3/
MAY 24, 2012
Are we dependent on computers? NO!
Lilly one of my coauthors already introduced you to this hot topic in her post yesterday. She gave
you an extensive and impressive lists of arguments that seem to prove that we are dependent on
computers.
So how come I am arguing against it?
To be honest at first I reacted just how I imagine everyone else is going to react
4. “Of course we are dependent on computers!”
This is a natural reaction since today in our society we use computers every day, not only to do
research but also to communicate and socialize.
But don’t judge too quickly! Let me ask you this:
What about the people who do not have a computer and what about the time where computers
were not invented yet?
Somehow these people seemingly miraculously managed to survive.
In the beginning when computers were first developed it was mostly the military and government
using them. The first Personal Computers were not introduced as late as the 1950s. Now it is the
year 2012. That’s roughly 60 years with computers compared to almost 2000 years without them –
and that’s only starting from our timekeeping. In reality humans have manged to survive for millions
of years. So how can anyone say we are dependent on computers?! We developed towards
computers but they are no necessity like air, food or sleep!
Although everyone agrees that computers play an integral part in our society today and things would
be a lot more complicated, take longer, be more inconvenient and some would downright be
impossible without them I believe we would still be able to function!
Our generation believes that computers are a life necessity. But that is simply because they
developed at such an incredible speed that now we are used to life with them. I will dare going so far
as to say that most of you reading this cannot imagine life without them.
On the other hand we have people like my dear grandmother, 92 years old, who has lived through
WW II without ever touching a computer in her entire life – and still she lives in our society by
herself and gets along just perfectly.
My conclusion: We are not dependent on computers to survive in this world,but we certainly would
not be as evolved as we are today without them.
Nonetheless Lilly rightfully lists these advantages of computers in her post:
5. communicating everywhere
studying more comfortable
doing business more efficient
new offers of entertainment
saving lives in critical situations
Computers not only hold these advantages but indisputably offer immense possibilities. You find
them everywhere and they are a mean of making our everyday life easier, but do they also make our
life better?
Joseph Weizenbaum, a German-American author and professor of computer science at MIT, strongly
advises that humans should set limits for the developement of new technologies. Furthermore
George Orwell, an English novelist and journalist, warns readers in his dystopia “1984” of the danger
new technologies carry with them. If we take their assumption and go one step further we can ask
ourselves:
Would the world be a better place without computers?
6. Just ask yourself how much time do you spend on your computer?
Moreover scientist believe that the constant availability we now live in can be very stressful for
individuals and consequently lead to a spreading of psychological illnesses. This reminded me of
when I first got my new smartphone. I was not prepared for the constant ringtone of yet another
email or whatsapp message every five minutes. I felt like I couldn’t relax, so I started turning my
phone of for 3 hours every day, which relived me enormously.
In the end I found that maybe the question we truly have to ask ourselves is not are we dependent
on computers but do we even want to be?
7. Just ask yourself how much time do you spend on your computer?
Moreover scientist believe that the constant availability we now live in can be very stressful for
individuals and consequently lead to a spreading of psychological illnesses. This reminded me of
when I first got my new smartphone. I was not prepared for the constant ringtone of yet another
email or whatsapp message every five minutes. I felt like I couldn’t relax, so I started turning my
phone of for 3 hours every day, which relived me enormously.
In the end I found that maybe the question we truly have to ask ourselves is not are we dependent
on computers but do we even want to be?