Technology Poison

The works of technology has caused for a better and easier living all over the world.  We have access to so many new things we probably thought would have not even been invented ten years ago like updated smart phones, smart cars, or even new and improved plastic surgeries. Due to technology, it has caused for people to not even have to set foot out of their homes to pay bills, shop, or even meet someone. On the other hand, technology has failed our countries greatly. Children are no longer running the streets with neighborhood friends because they’d rather stay inside to play video games. Instead of old fashion meet and greets, virtual world have become ideal for meeting potential mates which could cause for many to act as some they are not and and for others to be misled. There is no motivation to be active or even use our brains since people don’t have to work so hard to get things done any more. While benefiting greatly from technology, individuals fail to realize how much it has changed people both physically and mentally. Societies have become ones that are lazy and basic standards have been lowered due to the fact that modern technology has started to evolve people negatively.

Our world has become so consumed with how to make living easier and because of rapid updates on technology, people do not have to try so hard to live a fast and easy paste life. Getting a hold of people is at our reach and paying bills is a click away with the use of smart phones. While these things are convenient to many individuals, it has crossed out the idea of face to face interactions in everyday living. Back 15 years ago, there was no other choice but to knock on someone's door to get a hold of them or walk into a bank to pay your bills. Because of these aspects, people have become lazy goers and do not feel motivated to step out of their homes. In the article As Technology Gets Better, Will Society Get Worse, by Tim Wu, he mentions “Sometimes we don’t even fully notice that we’re changing” (Wu 1). This hold true because the evolution of technology has cause people to believe that it is a normal way of living. Since this is what many people have learned over the years, young children have been taught this as well and know no other way of living life but reliability on technology.

The controversial issue that technology had caused for an obese society with many other issues has been proven to be true in a study about people known as the Oji-Cree living South of the Hudson Bay. This study was mentioned in Tim Wu’s article about a doctor who worked with the Oji-Cree. They knew no such thing of technology and were known for living a relatively simple life. Their living consisted of long walks to get where they needed, hunting for their own food, staying in tents and cabins for shelter, and having plenty of exercise. The doctor noted the absence of mental breakdowns and substance abuse. When technology hit their area, they eagerly embraced the new tools and evolved rapidly within a few decades. While these people benefited greatly from the new advances like decreased deaths because of starvation and harsh weather conditions, miserably technology failed them. They suffered from massive increases of obesity, heart disease, alcoholism, drug addiction, etc. While this specific case was a little extreme, Time Wu adds, “The story offers an important warning for the human race” (Wu 2). A society with not one conflict in their way of living fell apart within a significant amount of time because of the poison technology unleashed on them.

The evolution of technology in all aspects is a powerful tool and is put in the control of the individual who chooses what to do with it. It goes without saying that people control how they use technology and how much it consumes their own life. However, when technology has consumed ways of living forcefully, what choice do people really have? Things like production of only smart phones, companies becoming paperless (meaning access to information only online), and school always requiring access to a computer/internet for homework is out of the control of the individual. There is no other option but to conform with these “norms” and allow technology to bleed into the veins of everyday living.

Amnesty Gamble

Granting amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants is causing many Americans to be skeptical of the whole idea.  Americans believe that it could threaten their way of life and in general its a bother. Being able to grant amnesty means giving illegals countless opportunities to better the lives of adults and that of their children. Coming to America can give some sort of hope to illegal immigrants that it can and does get better if you take advantage of the changes. Most importantly allowing immigrants to stay shows better diversity in our nation’s population and culture.

In the article “Immigrants Enriches You and Me”, by Nicholas Kristof, he mentions a few vulgar comments like “repulsive to our habits and tastes” and “immigrants are steep in ignorance”, that were made by The Christian Examiner and Harper’s Weekly (Kristof 1). These writers made it out to seem as though having illegal immigrants in our country is a disgusting idea and inappropriate. In reality, immigrants may be ignorant to American ideas and ways but the idea is that they come to America to learn about the differences. All illegal immigrants see is opportunity to better themselves and their families by finding any job that pays, learning the English language as time passes, and giving their children the option of education. Who’s to say that undocumented immigrants are the ignorant ones, when people opposed to the idea of amnesty don’t accept their differences and what they contribute to America. In terms of “repulsive to our habits and our taste”, what good habits and tastes do Americans show to anyone in this world? That its okay to exploit women and judge those that are different? If anything, immigrants bring culture to North America and better habits like being family oriented and working hard because that's all they have. In a sociology study, it showed that 75 percent of undocumented immigrants highest priority is family (Halm 3). Illegal Immigrants offer this idea that families stick together because that's what makes the individual stronger. Americans can benefit from some of these habits which are so called “repulsive to our habits”.

This idea that undocumented individuals shouldn't be granted amnesty and sent back to where they came from is outrageous. In that case, we should all start packing and going back to where we descended from because unless your Native American, we all technically are illegal. Kristof mentions, “For starters, unless you are a full-blooded American Indian, we have you” (Kristof 2) No one in this country has the right to say “immigrants” shouldn't be here unless you are in fact an American Indian. Ed Butowsky, the author of “We Cannot Afford Amnesty for Illegal Immigrants” wrote, “But if his fix, as rumored, is to grant amnesty to an estimated 5 million illegals, he’ll be making a huge mistake, because we simply can afford it. Amnesty will cost you, the American taxpayer a fortune” (Butowsky 1). He goes on to say that on average it will cost $14,000 a year for each undocumented immigrants. But according to the Stephen Goss, the chief actuary for Social Security Administration and the Center for American Progress, unauthorized immigrants have contributed $100 billion to Social Security over a decade and don’t collect benefits and paid another $11 billion in taxes in 2010 alone (Kristof 2). If these unauthorized immigrants alone received permits and entered into the system, they can add another $45 billion in over 5 years in payroll taxes. (Kristof 2) Adding up all those profits, it seems to me as though $14,000 is being covered and is even exceeding. Yes, 12 million illegal immigrants times 14,000 amounts to a terrifying number and looks as though its impossible to generate enough to cover the cost of granting amnesty, but it doesn't account for those who are not documented as illegal and still contribute to these numbers and the fact that they do not receive the luxury of benefits, 401k, and social security.

Those that are undocumented didn't ask to be born in places where there isn't much for them to grow on as a person, it was all by chance. As Americans with more than opportunities, it is our job to give them the chance for a better life and to allow undocumented immigrants to contribute to our country because it is not hurting anyone and most importantly, no American is getting deprived of their opportunity to succeed because of those who are illegal. Instead of fighting against one another, Americans must unite because it makes us a stronger country and then America can really live up to the idea that it is land of opportunity and diversity. It shows that this country judges no one and accept everyone.