Laziness, a word defined as being resistant to work or exertion, or merely disposed to idleness, is something that many Americans deal with on an everyday basis. In fact, it may be safe to say that everyone has a moment of sluggishness from time to time. This could be especially true for those that have become slaves to technology…not that there’s anything particularly wrong with that. After all, technological doodads and gadgets have helped revolutionize the way that many individuals go about their day to day activities. However, has the digital age turned people lazy?
Now, there’s a million dollar question!
Analyze this: before the rise of Playstations, Kindles, iPods, iPhones and iwhatevers, some people did things a tad bit differently. For starters, many individuals purchased their tangible novels from actual bookstores to be displayed proudly on bookshelves in their homes while others obtained albums from music stores as opposed to simply downloading singles on iTunes. Before the upsurge of videogames, there were some children that opted to go outside to play with friends, and before the abundance of digital mobile apps, some people could actually hold a decent conversation with one another instead of being distracted by the sleek cellular devices in their hands.
The arrival of the digital age has been a hot topic on some media websites as well as a subject discussed amongst businesspersons and nerds alike. While the benefits of new devices such as tablets, smartphones and 3D television sets have undoubtedly left their mark in the world, they’ve also seemed to have brought on another interesting affect…a wave of lethargy.
So, with that being said and done, what in the world has happened?
Well, the folks at Mibba may have figured it out. According to them, the digital age may have made some of us physically and mentally lazy. The article states that with streaming now available on cell phones and laptops, some people have become physically lazy in that they will no longer go to the cinema. Furthermore, it also stated that individuals can now talk to loved ones with the push of a button on their respective cell phones instead of just getting up and walking to the landline telephone in the hallways of their homes. Perhaps it’s true. Maybe all of these innovations have made us indolent.
If that’s not enough, some of these innovations could be costing us money. Forbes recently comprised a list entitled “23 Ways that your Laziness is Costing you Money.” Featured on MSNBC, the list incorporated two things related to technology including ordering premium video on demand. It turns out that production companies like Warner Brothers, 20th Century Fox, Universal and Sony have yet to offer certain movies on-demand before 60 days of their theatrical run. According to the piece of writing, the films cost around $30 for a 48 hour period which is practically a 150 percent markup. Perchance it’s better to get up, get dressed and head to the local movie theater as opposed to being lazy.
Speaking of which, laziness can also come into play regarding smartphones. Additionally, the Forbes story also listed not comparison shopping with a smartphone as a way to lose cash. If you’re one of the individuals who just had to upgrade to one of these devices, it may be wise to utilize its features including free mobile apps enabling shoppers to find savings on items. In a world consisting of some folks who simply like to keep up with the Joneses (or Kardashians), there are those that add apps just to have them and never utilize their potential due to the fact that they just don’t feel like opening them. Laziness? You be the judge.
While some folks may argue that the digital age has made some slothful, others respectfully disagree. An article found in The Glacier stated that the digital era is actually rather helpful despite being labeled as the bane of our society’s intelligence. Despite all of Facebook’s changes and facelifts, users are being taught how to communicate with other people. According to The Glacier, by making mistakes such as handling drama and other personal issues over Facebook, it could be possible to learn what is and what is not socially acceptable.
Perhaps that’s one way to spin it. Either way, make no doubt about it, the digital age has arrived and just like those wretched iPhones, it isn’t going away anytime soon.
- Jaylen Christie
Do you think that the digital age has made us lazy? Or do you believe that it hasn’t had an affect at all? Let us know at our Facebook Page, our Twitter, or by sounding off in the comments below!