A few days ago I went on a mini hike with some of my friends from college. Since they lived close and had more fun things to do than my town, I was ready for anything. I was really excited because I have been wanting to go on an adventure for a while and do something other than work and be in my house. I did not realize that coming home in May from college would start a summer of complete boredom. One of my friends knew the trails the best because she lived in that area, so she led the way. I have not climbed any part of a trail in a few years, so getting up was a bit of a struggle. She brought us to this train track that seemed a little sketchy but we were up for anything. To even get to the tracks you had to hop a little part of a fence and carefully go down so that you watch out for the third rail. As we walked along, everyone immediately took out their phones and took pictures and Snapchats, including myself. After a few pictures, I looked up and out over this view and realized so many things.
First of all, this view was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Everything was so still and quiet as we all stared at the clouds and trees. It felt so peaceful and amazing to be looking at this view that others would kill for. I felt like I was truly on top of the world while trying to not look down and seeing how high we actually were. But what I also realized, was that instead of fully enjoying what we saw now, we all had to take pictures and be on our phones and not live in the moment. Society today has come to rely on technology, making us believe that in order to say we did something, there has got to be a picture or some sort of proof. It has become a norm for people to look back on pictures and recall what happen but sometimes can’t remember everything about it. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are a few applications that document our every whereabouts for the world to see. We rely on the number of likes we get on pictures and post to somehow prove that the moment shown was a good time. By doing all this, people forget to enjoy the moment they have before them and have real memories so they don’t miss anything.
It is absurd to think that people will just not use technology anymore and give it up. As society progresses, the need for instant information becomes more apparent and useful. It has however become a danger that technology is taking over parts of our lives that can damage us. There are fewer kids going and playing outside because they have everything they need to have fun right on their computers or devices. There is fewer face to face discussion because texting and Facetime are faster and easier. People are missing out on the true beauties and fascinations that life has to offer because their faces are stuck on their phones. It doesn’t take much to put the technology down and go on an adventure or grab coffee with your best friends. I have never had more fun than just being with my friends, looking at graffiti and just taking in the beautiful view. Being fully engaged and not distracted by technology can help create some of the best memories to have and share with each other.
