Will digital technology ever stop catching my interest?
People are often seen as social creatures, whether it be offline or online. Through social media and observation, one can gather information on any individual’s encounters regarding digital usage. In terms of habits, most young adults and business associates rely on cellphones for communication and entertainment. Older generations might use digital technology for work purposes only. If you were to interview a teenager or college student on daily usage, you will immediately find them sharing information on DIY tutorials and current trends that follow.
Danah Boyd brings up an interesting segment regarding MySpace. From an ethnographic standpoint, Boyd attempts to observe and interact with teenagers to determine the impact of social technologies within their everyday lives. “Seeing a teen’s life through the lens of MySpace is akin to seeing their life through their time in school” (Boyd). She observes teens at certain places, though her work is limited to public domains and not in spaces she desires. Referring to digital practices, one might share their experiences as part of a conversation, if a certain subject is brought into consideration. If a job entitles employees to advertise online for the company, they do so — no questions asked. Topics new to the public will be well known within minutes after they are released, all thanks to social media. An example of this would be E3 2017, news related to the gaming community.
According to the Pew Research Center, “Americans use social media to seek out information and interact with others. In 2016, half of the public turned to social media (Facebook) to learn about the presidential election and share opinions” (Pew Research Center). As stated earlier, topics of interest spark the use of social media, the main dish to please one’s hunger. One can often ask for certain information to be given, though it would be more satisfying to hear a story played out in detail. A family member is on their phone while the family is having dinner. When asked to stop playing, they reply “in a minute”. We are so attached to digital devices that we cut off real-time communication for virtual pleasure. Our habits and practices speak for themselves, traditional life is replaced in the new digital era.
