Is technology helping us become lazy or smarter?
Read time: 2 minutes 10 seconds
Technology has transformed our lives in many ways, making it easier, faster, and more convenient to perform tasks that were once time-consuming and tedious. From smartphones to laptops, from smart homes to virtual assistants, technology has become an integral part of our daily routine. However, there is a growing concern that technology is making us lazy and less intelligent. So, the question arises: Is technology helping us become lazy or smarter?
On the one hand, there is evidence to suggest that technology is making us lazier. For example, with the rise of online shopping and home delivery services, we no longer have to leave our homes to buy groceries, clothing, or other necessities. A study by Statista found that in 2020, e-commerce sales in the US alone amounted to $791.7 billion, and the number is projected to grow to over $1 trillion by 2022. Similarly, with the proliferation of food delivery apps like Uber Eats and Grubhub, we can order meals from our favourite restaurants with just a few taps on our smartphones. According to a survey by Bankrate, 74% of Americans used food delivery services in 2020, up from 51% in 2019.
Furthermore, the ease of access to information through search engines like Google and virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa has led to concerns that we are becoming less intelligent. We no longer have to remember facts, figures, or phone numbers because we can simply ask our devices. According to a survey by Pew Research Center, 77% of Americans own a smartphone, and 47% of smartphone owners say they could not live without their device.
On the other hand, technology can also make us smarter. For example, online learning platforms like Coursera and edX offer courses from top universities around the world, giving people access to education they may not have otherwise been able to receive. According to a survey by eLearning Industry, the global e-learning market is projected to reach $325 billion by 2025.
Moreover, technology can improve our productivity and efficiency, allowing us to accomplish more in less time. For example, project management tools like Trello and Asana help teams collaborate and manage tasks more effectively, resulting in better outcomes. According to a study by McKinsey, employees spend an average of 1.8 hours per day searching for information, and by using technology tools, they could save up to 20% of that time.
Finally, technology can also improve our health and well-being. Wearable devices like Fitbit and Apple Watch help us track our physical activity, sleep patterns, and heart rate, allowing us to make better decisions about our health. According to a study by The Lancet Digital Health, patients who used digital health tools to manage chronic conditions had better health outcomes than those who did not.
Technology has both positive and negative impacts on our lives, and whether it makes us lazy or smarter depends on how we use it. While it may be tempting to rely on technology for everything, it is important to remember that it is a tool, and we should use it wisely to improve our lives and the world around us.