“Isolated by the Internet” by Clifford Stoll
Introduction
“Isolated by the Internet” is an article that focuses on the significance of the use of internet in present society. Clifford Stoll demonstrates in detail both the benefits and the challenges that people experience when using the internet. For instance, in the book, it is expressed that internet breaks family principles, slows users’ interactions and wastes personal time that would otherwise be used for economic accomplishments. Stoll states that although the internet is fast, it can still affect the productivity of a user by slowing down individual interaction with others. This is because it causes a person to ignore creativity and inability to acquire new ideas such communication and social skills. The article also uses various psychologists’ experiences to illustrate inactivity of the internet usage. For instance, Stoll uses Zimbardo’s personal explanation to clarify computer isolation. Therefore, the researches by the psychologists support Stoll argument about how the internet contributes to demeaning communications abilities.
Personal Effects of Internet Usage
Extensive internet exploration is detrimental towards development of individual abilities, which can affect social interactions with others. Stoll emphasized the theme of the pressing aspects of the negativity of the computer in personal lives. This idea is an essential expression of reducing contact time in front of the machines. According to Kurzweil, humans and machinery are confusing, because people embrace latest versions of devices without prior considerations. He believes that everyone has been involved in technology considering the number of smartphones that people possess. This implies that there is a human-machine civilization that controls the daily endeavours of the people.
However, the underlining challenge is the reduction of personal ties, which is associated with strong proximity to someone. This is because the internet reduces the significance of distance and allows users to develop different associations through chat rooms, email, news clusters and web sites. The research concludes that the interactions and physical loneliness can cause depression and loss of close friendships. Zimbardo believes that television and computing make people passive, and impassiveness feeds into shyness. Many internet users of social sites lack the ability to talk to people in reality since they are inactive to their environment. This is because those weaned on computer infrastructures will not acquire essential social guidelines of conversation. This implies that electronic intercessors dull individual’s skills to read each other’s movements and facial lingoes to express their moods, to strike up dialogue with strangers or to create discussions.
My response to Stoll’s idea is that people should learn communication skills through attending social places like parties or churches. This helps in building confidence of facing different personalities from diverse upbringings. Therefore, shyness will be eliminated and basic developmental abilities improved. The majority of people only concentrate on the benefits of the internet without considering the repercussions. This is an appropriate article that touches on useful psychological researches. The explanations in the article use information from colleges and campus reports to support the author’s opinions.
However, my personal position regarding personal experience is that although the internet can derail personal development and acquisition of skills, it can still improve the already acquired abilities. This is because a person can research through the internet on vital tips of delivering a speech to a large number of audiences. This will increase confidence and add value to the quality of the speech through composure and knowledge. Technology usage can also offer suitable avenues for learning better application of skills in different circumstances. I believe that a person born shy can change his or her manners with constant interactions with people. People change their habits through experiences whether direct or indirect. I was a regular internet user when the computer technology was introduced in phones. I learnt how to socialise and interact with my peers through social sites and even improved my confidence. I, therefore, still believe that the environment and the people around influence social skills of a person.
Conclusion
Technology is a vital innovation in the daily interactions of people. It is considered a viable tool that helps people to contact others at distant places. However, Stoll suggests that internet minimizes a person’s chances of developing personal interaction manners. This is because people will be inactive to their peers and colleagues as they engage strangers in conversations. The author also states that internet use breaks family principles, slows users’ interactions and wastes personal time that would otherwise be used for economic accomplishments. This is a true observation that unlimited and uncontrolled use of internet exposes people to, if not checked. However, I believe that my personal experience with the internet has enabled me to develop my social and communication skills regardless of the suggestions in the article. “Isolated by the Internet” is a comprehensive piece that advises readers to avoid internet addiction since it will make them isolated from the reality. Stoll also presents the outcomes of the research as a deduction that computer use relates to the deterioration of social awareness, relational communication and social abilities, and also proposes that the other fast-paced, advanced aspects of contemporary technology are harmful to society and to the individual.
