Over the years, laptops have turned from a simple technological advance to a way of life. Before laptops were invented, people had to be stationary to work on the computer. With a constant moving and traveling society, staying in one place to work on the computer is impossible. Technology over time has adapted to fit societal norms. Laptops have become more then just a way to write and search the internet. Now, people can blog, listen to music and play games all on one system. Laptops are taking over as the dominant technology of the human race. These machines are not just being used by the common worker or student but by police, CIA operatives and other important officials. This need for laptops to be accessible and useable for many types of jobs, allows companies like IBM, Dell or Apple to create these moving machines to fit very specific and particular tasks. Although fitting many specific needs, laptops can do almost everything. Because so much can be done on one machine, this paves clear other competitions that have just a single function.
IBM is a prominent business that sells laptops. They have been around since laptops and computers were first put into use. IBM once had a slogan that read, "I think, therefore IBM". The slogan is a play on words from the philosophical statement, "I think, therefore I am". The company uses this famous saying from Descartes to claim that anyone that thinks should have an IBM. Since everyone thinks and functions with thoughts and ideas, IBM is exclaiming that everyone should own one of their computers. Also, since everyone has these ideas and wants to share them with the world, what better way then to use a laptop that can help you email, blog, and communicate with others? This slogan alone shows that laptops have a potential to take over societies way to think in general.
In today’s world everything moves at a fast speed. People use online banking, for example, because it is faster and saves time. When walking on the street in a populated area, majority of people are seen rushing; rushing to work, to exercise, to pick up their children or even eat. Deadlines and being on time is vital in today's society, this makes laptop use extremely popular. By a few clicks of a button one can be surfing the internet or emailing a report. Society is setting out rules that revolve around deadlines and being quick but efficient. With the many job cuts that are being made, a worker must be able to be quick and still generate income. Laptops are allowing business people to work from anywhere, thus making being efficient a lot easier. Not only are these laptops used for fast-paced work situations but also for pleasure.
For children and teenagers, Itunes and other music players offer ways to listen to music on a laptop. This, mixed with web chatting and blogging websites offers people to express themselves in many ways. Laptops are of interest and appealing to all ages which makes them one of the most popular advances in technology. One can sit at home and have all the amenities of leaving the house because with the internet, laptops can access anything. Why go to Borders when you can read books online? Why rent a movie at Blockbuster when ordering a movie from Netflix is easier and you don’t have to drive to a store?
In today’s society a computer can do the same if not more work then a person. With the internet, people can buy books, music, and furniture; basically anything. Since the laptop has allowed people of all ages to purchase what they need online, there is no need to go to a store. Although losing a personal touch, buying online is faster and sometimes cheaper then going to a store. This online shopping is slowly putting more workers out of jobs. Laptops and computers are picking away at jobs as America finds itself in one of the worst recessions in years. People are not being lazy, but because of the fast paced society that has developed, humans need to purchase and shop efficiently. When online shopping first became popular, there were complaints about how there was no help center or worker for a given site. Now, sites have online workers that make sure the costumer is finding what they need. Companies are becoming smarter and creating computers that can suit the needs of every costumer. Thus, computers are not putting companies out of business, just workers.
Computer companies have adapted to the fast paced society. When buying a computer there are many offers for warranties and helping how to work the computer. These are popular because laptops are crowded with every type of application. These warranties and new applications are ways for computer companies to make money and to help customers. These applications and warranty options help the consumer save time having to worry about the upkeep of their laptops. Society is moving at such a fast pace that even the little ways to help people keep up are examined and utilized.
Companies are not only attempting to help customers, but corporations like IBM are broadening their horizons and creating new and more specific laptops. In jobs like working for the CIA, FBI or even the Police force, laptops are being used to search for fugitives or convicts on the wanted list. Programs are being made for the systems to help track and record people. These computers are also being put to the test in doing research for weapons and bombs. Laptops can be gateways for the police force to find criminals, but they can also be used in a negative way.
Although laptops benefit and help keep up with today’s society, there are some flaws to them. Multiple studies have shown that leaving a laptop on a man’s lap for an extended period of time can “lower sperm counts and reduce chances of fathering a child.” This expert, taken from a study on Medical News Today, explains the risks of harmful heat a laptop puts off. According to Dr.Sheynkin, a male’s testicles should maintain a steady temperature. He claims that laptops can reach to over 70 degrees Celsius which is harmful to the body for a prolonged period of time. Even though some people are aware of the damages that can be done to the body, they are using laptops regardless to keep up with the fast paced society. To help prevent lowering sperm counts, one can use their laptops on a table or lap desk.
Another problem with laptops is the misuse of them in school environments. In an article in the Washington Post, David Cole explains how he constantly faced issues with students not paying attention in class. With Facebook, Google, and other addicting websites, students with laptops in class spend more time surfing the web and less time focusing on a given lesson. Cole would ask his students questions and would constantly have the same response, “Could you repeat the question?” This was not because the student was incapable of hearing or understanding the question but because the student was to busy scanning the internet. Cole decided to ban computers from his classes and found that 80 percent of his class reported to be more engaged. The constant distraction the laptop brings with it results in less studious students. Although being useful to retrieve information and virtually anything else, laptops often serve as a distraction to what is really important in life.
Evolving technology has affected my life and others in many ways. Since laptops have become vital to succeed in society, morals have become less important. My dad worked at IBM for over 25 years. He was a computer salesman, and although he could have been promoted many times, he chose to work at home and stay close to his family. Last year during the horrible recession, he lost his job with thousands of others. He was not someone who constantly wanted more and more money but instead kept what was most important to him. Since technology and computers and laptops have evolved tremendously, they have taken over the workplace. Instead of needing a human being to do a job, companies are turning to machines to save money. My family and I were negatively affected by the huge computer advances because companies decided to scratch morals and value money instead.
The evolution of laptops has affected society in many positive and negative ways. In this fast paced society, people are turning to anything to keep them in pace with the world. Laptops have slowly evolved into machines that can do almost anything. For business, laptops are necessary in sending emails, writing reports and doing research on the go. These machines are also used for people who want entertainment and music. Applications are constantly being created to fit many different needs and personalities. Companies like IBM are creating slogans to pull in customers; that their product is a necessity if you are human, (I think, therefore IBM). Steady help and reinforcement from computer businesses is allowing customers to feel more satisfied with laptops, in turn selling more of the product. These companies are also making specific models of laptops to fit important government jobs including CIA and FBI. Laptops and computers also produce negative mental and physical effects. These include losing sperm count as well as losing students to surfing the web during valuable class time. My family and many other families have been hurt by the societal turn to computers. While the advancement of laptops has been positive and necessary in many ways, the damages it has created has left many workers jobless and numerous people too dependent on one object.
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