Level 6

Freedom Vs. Addiction

  How many of you remember the times when there was no internet and mobile communication? I understand that in our time it is difficult to even imagine. But each of us understands that modern technology affects our lives, education, work, and personal lives. Let's compare our present life to our life 20 years ago. Is convenience always useful?

I remember my student years. Lectures by professors were almost the only source of information. After lectures, we took books from the library and took notes on them because they were not loaned out to us. I remember how cold it was in the library and I was always very hungry. But we learned to find the main thing in the text and write quickly. There were no telephones in every house and therefore we talked a lot in class and met in parks. It was a glorious time because we experienced emotions of love, joy, parting, and meetings. We knew a lot about each other, although we knew how to keep secrets. I started working as a nurse. We had to draw and fill out a lot of workbooks. This took a lot of working time.

I first bought a computer when I was 28 years old. I remember that I broke my leg and was sitting at home, studying the Windows user manual. To my surprise, it turned out to be not difficult. I wasn't bored anymore. The whole world of the Internet was unfolding in my room. And now I can’t imagine how I would manage without all this. Living on another continent, I can communicate via video with my loved ones as if they were nearby. I can also consult my patients without leaving home. I am an ophthalmologist and as soon as I see eyes on a computer screen, I know how to help. Once we meet, we no longer need to ask about each other because we know more from Facebook and Instagram. And we are no longer as real as we were 20 years ago because we express our emotions with a smiley face.

Now we know what we gain and what we can lose by applying technology in our daily lives. And yet, it is difficult for us to give up the internet, mobile devices and artificial intelligence,because it is convenient, interesting and quickly solves all the tasks assigned to us.

Written by: Olena Dubrovska