Running Head - IS USING TECHNOLOGY FOR ENTERTAINMENT A BAD THING?

“IS USING TECHNOLOGY FOR ENTERTAINMENT A BAD THING?”

Submitted by:

Praxides, Ian Kevin

Rivera, Randolf

Rufo, Jeremiah Joshua

Science, Technology and Society

August 24, 2019

IS USING TECHNOLOGY FOR ENTERTAINMENT A BAD THING? 2

Introduction

Technology is a body of knowledge devoted to creating tools, processing actions and the

extracting of materials. The term "technology” is wide, and everyone has their way of

understanding its meaning (Ramey, 2013). The role and impact of technology in both personal and

working lives of individuals is ever growing. Understanding how people shape technology and

how technology shapes people's interactions with each other and the natural world is important not

only for those who research, develop and implement new technologies but also for all those people

and organizations that have to use those technologies in their working and personal lives (Lane,

2016).

Each person's personal life is highly dependent on the technology that people have

developed. Technology has advanced with years and it has changed the way people purchase

products, the way people live, the way people communicate, the way people travel, the way people

learn and so many changes have been brought about by these continuous technological

advancements. As people’s demands and life style change, the demand for advancing the type of

technology that use is high (Ramey, 2012). Technology is advancing so rapidly these days and we

rely upon it so readily that we hardly notice innovations anymore (Canales, 2018). Hover crafts or

teleportation are not invented and produced just yet, but the technology advanced pretty far since

the dawn of the internet and mobile devices. During everyday routines, individuals rely upon that

technology to do a lot for them. And that technology is constantly changing. As a result, it's easy

to forget just how advanced some of it is. But individuals would be left scrambling if all of the

innovations, from the smartphones to high-speed internet, ceased to operate.

The use of technology is increasing day by day, we all depend on technology, and we use

various technologies to accomplish specific tasks in our lives (Ramey, 2012). Technology plays a
IS USING TECHNOLOGY FOR ENTERTAINMENT A BAD THING? 3

vital role in communications, research, business, robotics, information security, and entertainment

nowadays (Guha, 2018). Though technology has many uses, individuals must still be able to not

abuse the use of technology.

And so, technology became cruelly impart of one's life. We now see technology as a

replacement to the endless abyss of working by hand. And also, we see technology as a fun part

of our momentous joys and there's where technology have had to enter and therefore became a part

of one's entertainment in life. Entertainment is basically fulfilling our boredom, even adding up

the joy we our having, and for elders, bringing them back to their days when hearing/seeing a

music/film that gives them memories of past, etc., and that's through only technology. Nowadays,

teens are over obssessed with the technology for entertainment, we see people are working with

their gadgets at the streets, park, and even at the beach. Technology gradually improved that even

young ones needed not only raw and came-from-nature toy, but gadget-ly toys also. As the society

demands more of the technology and people are getting obssessed with the techs that bringing

them entertainment, technology might grow and may replace other but not all jobs that needs a

physical concern.

2.1 History of Technology as Entertainment

Technology has always been a major part of the world of entertainment. It is said

that Entertainment technology started when Thomas Edison invented the first phonograph

machine in 1877. People also saw that technology can make sounds to be recorded and

played back into a physical material. Decades after, Telecommunication also acquired new

technology, specifically radiotelegraphy, and it has found it’s use for entertainment radio

broadcasting services. The original purpose of telecommunication was only to make a

point-to-point radio link possible for communication. The early inventors of broadcast
IS USING TECHNOLOGY FOR ENTERTAINMENT A BAD THING? 4

radio saw the advantage of the technology in making one-way data transmission, including

entertainment content, to many people. When joined with prerecorded music (vinyl

records, magnetic tapes, and later on CD and other digital recording media), broadcast

radio paved a path to mass media for entertainment (Ng, 2012).

Other areas of entertainment that have altered technology. First of all, the music

industry is one of the entertainment areas that really feel the waves of technological change.

A person sitting in front of the home stereo listening to a CD or cassette of his / her favorite

group bought physically from a music store was the way it was taken for a long time until

tech altered everything. People now stream music via internet apps such as Spotify and

listen to it via wireless speakers that you can hold in your pocket or mobile phone. This is

a significant change that the music industry continues to catch up with in many aspects.

TV is another entertainment industry that has had a large impact on technology. You now

have more channels to watch with satellite TV and cable boxes than ever. Movies or films

are registered directly on your box's hard drive that has seen video recorders and VHS

videos. In latest years, TV streaming sites such as Netflix have also created major advances

to alter not only how TV can be viewed, but also TV users ' customer practices.

There is no business-like show business, as the saying goes. Hollywood as well as

the entire film industry have evolved over the years because of tech. CGI and other

technological effects is now extensively used in most movies when creating a film. This

enables many viewers to make them enjoy movies that were unheard of in the past. You

may recall a moment when it was mostly about the Commodore Amiga, the SNES as well

as the classic PlayStation. Technology has progressed through the gaming industry like a

hot knife through butter. The recent microchips are used by new consoles and games to
IS USING TECHNOLOGY FOR ENTERTAINMENT A BAD THING? 5

produce noise, graphics and gameplay that are now way ahead of what existed before. The

internet has also made it possible for online and eGaming to pop up and become famous.

Of course, an article about technology that changes how we stay amused without

mentioning smartphones would be incomplete. They grab all the above separate areas

efficiently and provide a unique manner to appreciate them, wherever you may be. This

makes a positive experience of your whole life. This mobile form of entertainment is

perhaps the greatest shift that technology has made. Nowadays, you can listen to songs,

watch your favorite movie, or talk with your buddies wherever you are. With smartphones

advancing in day-to-day use, this is probable to improve. (Shadow Net, 2018).

2.2 Advantages of Technology as Entertainment

Technology has indeed made it possible for us to see entertainment in a new light.

For all, technology made it possible and all the way up effortlessly to store world's

memories. Actors and singers that've gone and have forgotten are brought back to life, and

even the world's most famous events from Nazi's march, D-Day, to present's Amazonian

fire and anything in between. Not just for entertainment but also a bringing forth of

information. Nowadays, all those mermories can now be read, watched anywhere; at home,

at the office, public, cars, wherever you go as long as you have your devices with you.

Those kinds of memories are not mostly being tackled in a TV, but in a computer and other

devices with an internet conncection.

The world of entertainment has grown tremendously, and it can teach us as well as

entertain us. Today, broadcasting is the most important form of popular entertainment. But

now it is challenged by still newer inventions. Video playback and recording equipments
IS USING TECHNOLOGY FOR ENTERTAINMENT A BAD THING? 6

make it possible for home viewers to buy or record their favorite shows. Many classic

movies are already available for home viewing. This new equipment may encourage many

viewers to spend fewer hours watching network offerings of situation comedies and action

dramas. And now, we can record, transfer, and produce our own videos using cellular

phones.

At the same time, the internet has revolutionized viewing habits in another way.

The internet provides information on a lot of sources for movies, music, and other forms

of entertainment. With internet connection, people can bring programs directly into their

computer by doing downloads and many of these downloads are offered for free. Not only

does it provide entertainment but we can even do some transactions like when you want to

buy stun guns online.

The internet offer entertainment on almost all particular interests- music, news, and

special information such as stock markets, weather, and social networking. These sources

are made available to us faster than ever, as fast as the stun gun effects. We can update on

news even before they get broadcasted on TV through the different websites on the internet.

Never in recorded history have Entertainment and arts been so important in the lives

of so many people. Modern inventions such as the internet have put nearly every person

within reach of music and drama all day, every day, at home, and away from home. The

internet has also made it possible for people not just become viewers but also the

performers themselves as they are able to upload their own videos on different sites. The

future of entertainment and arts is taking shape through technology and the people

themselves (Pressley, 2010).

IS USING TECHNOLOGY FOR ENTERTAINMENT A BAD THING? 7

2.3 Disadvantages of Technology as Entertainment

Nowadays, the main source of enjoyment is the entertainment and that is not a big deal

anymore. It is the daily habit of everyone even the kids, and newborn baby, from watching TV to

listening to the news. It is unfortunate that it is not healthy anymore and it became more dangerous

to the health of the people. And also, it makes it to the point where it can exterminate society

because of addiction and not using it in a good condition. Entertainment is indeed, a menacing

tool. Owing to the enhanced technology, the adult- entertainment industry expelled in late

twentieth century.

The influence of gripping entertainment are frequently happening and programming our

minds and it is because of The Media and Television “programming.” The problem is more

portable and will grow because of the growing global use of smartphones and other mobile devices.

Sadly, this impact has been pessimistic and it will continue to go away on its primary target

audience; youth. As the “youth” of yesterday always develop into the present age, we will

consistently see the outcome of entertainment’s colossal impact of humanity.

There is astronomical research data that shows we are seeing the effect of our youth acting

out because of the obstructive influences presented by diverse entertainment sources (Eversley,

2019). Namely, films, music, citing exposure to violence, illegal sex, mis presentation of normalcy,

and pushed from every corner. It makes it more disturbing when the environment at home is

abusive. Young people who are inconvenience will be stimulate by negative entertainment.

Parents and children are guilty of spending a large majority of their day on a digital device.

Parents and teens spend up to 9 hours a day on a screen and kids up to age 8 spend 2 hours and 19
IS USING TECHNOLOGY FOR ENTERTAINMENT A BAD THING? 8

minutes on a screen. Spending too much looking at a screen on TVs, smartphones, etc. can cause

damages to your eyes, sleep disturbances, and even physical ailments (Kim, 2019).

Many said that when the ordinary teenager reaches the minor age, they’ve observed around

16,000 murders and 200,000 acts of violence of TV (Eversley, 2019). That’s nothing to do with

playing in which the incidents are even greater per time spent playing.

Society becomes unsocial because of the technology. We plug our earphones and we

neglect about the outside the world. Technology also makes the work even the social network

“always available”. You can’t escape from it, which you withdraw from you “real life

relationships.” (Kim, 2019).

2.4 Ways to Prevent Future Problems

Hold the use of gadgets. Start limiting the use of gadgets such as smartphones, laptops,

computers, etc. Set a limit to yourself and start to manage your time like inspecting social media

only twice a day or not checking phone after 9 PM. Remember that this works as compulsion or

addiction and necessary steps should be taken to fight that to secure our health (Shafiq, 2016).

Look what you are addicted to. The productive way of avoiding slaves of being addicted

to technology is to find out what you are addicted to. It could be anything like mobile phones, TV,

internet, and video games. Once you are able to find out on what you are addicted to, you’ll find

it effortless to lessen the negative effects of technology on your life (Runde, 2015).

Avoid hurrying for everything. Technology makes us restless because we want to get hold

of latest news, before anyone else does. There is no suffering in taking things, at a light pace. You

are not assumed to study every single piece of the article available on internet. Stay peaceful and

take up things which you can hold, at a time (Shafiq, 2016).

IS USING TECHNOLOGY FOR ENTERTAINMENT A BAD THING? 9

Stop it if you can. Another significant tip on how to lessen the negative effects of

technology. Prevention is better than cure but if you are already overblown then you need a cure.

Don’t let technology to take over your existence. Before it begins impacting you, start taking action

with it. It is not simple to walk the path to de-addiction, but you can take assist or help to a

specialist. If you become restless and annoyed when you Wi-Fi or 3G network immediately goes

off, then you need to refine soon as possible since this can result in impulsive behavior (Runde,

2015).

Another way to diminish the effects of technology is to meditate, exercise breathing, and

superior mental health don’t get too attached on playing games and do a genuine cycle of sleep,

plus well diet.

Conclusion

We all know that the techonology became a good part of our lives. We cannot

escape the reality that we used to get too much attachment on the technology. The invention and

growth of technology have altered our lives favourably and negatively. New technologies and

inventions are the result of our curiosity, creativity and problem-solving methods (Sharma, 2017).

Besides of criticizing others of using technology as their way to success, we should know that

everyone has a dream. And we should not take the advantage of being rational, equity is always

an answer to that sophisticated goals of ours. Technology is right there, we cannot change the way

it looks but we can manipulate it and turn it to our command in a good purpose. So, as technology

takes over almost our way to do such thing like, farming, working, playing throughout the time,

even from prehistoric to our era, technology cannot back away its existence (Sinha, 2017). We

should consider that there's always an effects of everything we touch; a bad effects of technology
IS USING TECHNOLOGY FOR ENTERTAINMENT A BAD THING? 10

through overly using it, a good effects of technology of such discoveries of new information, cells,

species, and new world.

Another part of the technology is bringing back memories and gives joy, entertainment.

Technology for Entertainment isn't that bad as long as we don't over use it. In fact, it actually gives

us boost to do, work, see the beyond of what we think of. As a technology user, we don’t see any

error or giving technology a negative feedback, instead, we are to further study it and learn what

it really supposed to be in a world. Our technological developments have always been, and will

always be, a nice thing that will always benefit our world (Melkonian, 2010).

We see a lot of reports, news, articles, journals that says technology is bad for future

generation. That it may cause violence, or it may put a negative impact to the youth, and technology

may cause their hostile behaviour (Telegraph, 2012). We must remember that technology cannot

back away its existence. We must adjust the way we see, our vision to perspect everything we

invent. Also, researchers have made a hypothesis that technology might take over humanity, but if

we control our use and don't cross over those dangerous lines (Luk, 2017). We might build a better

community, society that has no poverty. But as of now, we cannot still control and world because

of others' own perpective in life. War is everywhere and poverty is lurking right behind you.

Nonetheless, we still manage how to withstand those challanges and pursuing to take over poverty

and replace it with wealth.

Technology can be anywhere, and so are those temptations too. But what we only supposed

to do or think that technology is just human made, so we have a control over it. No matter what

they do, i do, you do, is depending on what you see and what you interpret. Entertainment is a part

of our life and so technology (McArthur, 2016). What we must do is not just a unity but also think

what may happens next.

IS USING TECHNOLOGY FOR ENTERTAINMENT A BAD THING? 11

References:

Canales, Katie (2018) 40 Totally Amazing Technological Advancements That We Don't Even

Notice Anymore. Retrieved from:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.businessinsider.com/amazing-technological-

advancements-we-dont-even-notice-anymore-2018-8

Eversley, David (2019) The Effects of Entertainment on Society - Negative Influences of Media.

Retrieved from: https://betterhumanbeings.com/the-effects-of-entertainment-on-society-

negative-influences-of-media

Kim, P. (2019) Negative Effects of Technology. Retrieved from:

https://www.creditdonkey.com/negative-effects-technology.html

Lane, Andy (2016) What is Technology? Retrieved from:

https://www.open.edu/openlearn/science-maths-technology/engineering-and-

technology/technology/what-technology

Luk, Glenn (2017) What Would Happen if Humans Lost 50% of All the Jobs in the World to

Robots? Retrieved from: https://www.quora.com/What-would-happen-if-humans-lost-

50-of-all-the-jobs-in-the-world-to-robots/answer/Glenn-Luk

McArthur, James (2016) 6 Ways On How Technology Has Made Our Life Easier. Retrieved

from: https://www.engadget.com/2016/10/17/6-ways-on-how-technology-has-made-

our-life-easier/
IS USING TECHNOLOGY FOR ENTERTAINMENT A BAD THING? 12

Melkonian, Katie (2010) Technology is a Good Thing. Retrieved from:

https://www.teenink.com/hot_topics/all/article/179849/Technology-is-a-Good-Thing

Ng, Sheau (2012) A Brief History of Entertainment Technologies. Retrieved from:

https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?arnumber=6182692

Pressley, Joseph (2010) Impact of Technology On the Field of Arts and Entertainment. Retrieved

from: https://ezinearticles.com/?Impact-of-Technology-On-The-Field-of-Arts-And-

Entertainment&id=5019787

Pressley, Joseph (2019) Impact of Technology in the Field of Entertainment. Retrieved from:

https://cebuwebmaker.com/information-technology/impact-of-technology-on-the-field-

of-arts-and-entertainment

Ramey, Kanehka (2012) 10 Uses of Technology in Our Daily Life. Retrieved from:

https://www.useoftechnology.com/technology-today-tomorrow/

Ramey, Kanehka (2012) Technological Advancements and their Effects on Humanity. Retrieved

from: https://www.useoftechnology.com/technological-advancements-effects-humanity/

Ramey, Karehka (2013) What Is Technology – Meaning of Technology and its Use. Retrieved

from: https://www.useoftechnology.com/what-is-technology/

Runde (2015) How to Avoid the Negative Effects of Technology on Human Life. Retrieved from:

https://www.slideshare.net/rundeboy4one/how-to-avoid-the-negative-effects-of-

technology-on-human-life

Shadow Net (2018) How has Tech changed Entertainment? Retrieved from:

https://shadownetmc.com/how-has-tech-changed-entertainment
IS USING TECHNOLOGY FOR ENTERTAINMENT A BAD THING? 13

Shafiq (2018) Ways To Prevent The Negative Effects of Technology For A Stress-Free Life.

Retrieved from: https://designcoral.com/article/ways-to-prevent-the-negative-effects-of-

technology-for-a-stress-free-life/

Sharma, Vikay (2017) Top 12 Examples, How Technology Has Changed Our Lives. Retrieved

from: http://www.klientsolutech.com/examples-of-how-technology-has-changed-our-

lives

Sinha, Vaishali (2017) What are the Positive and Negative Effects of Technology? Retrieved

from: https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-positive-and-negative-effects-of-technology

The Telegraph (2010) Violent Video Games Make Teenagers More Aggressive, Study Finds.

Retrieved from: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-

games/9593188/Violent-video-games-make-teenagers-more-aggressive-study-

finds.html