Mobile Devices!

Mobile Phones invented in 1977 have replaced traditional means of communication. They have become part of our personal and professional lives.  My device consisting of the Iphone4 is attached to me 24/7, but the question is why is it always with me?  Some e.g include:

•   having access on several social networking systems  i.e Instagram
  
•    able to listen to  music wherever I am and whenever I please.
• the ability to send short text messages  without having to call (whilst running late!).
  

Those a just a few of the many examples as to how one cannot live without their prodigious  device! This week my class discussed how mobile devices are making us become cyborgs, the social implications of mobile technology and some theorists who have commented about these implications (as well as some extra  personal research.

Firstly, the question is  what are CYBORGS? William Mitchell (professor of architecture) quotes  “ ''Cyborgs designate an organism , which is a mixture of organic and synthetic parts so designed to enhance its ability via technology.’’   (Thomson 2007). A quote from theorist Howard Rheingold supports this testimony ''In 2001, Mitchell noted the use of mobile telephones to facilitate swarming people who “rely on their electronics to deliver relevant information at the right moment, and tell them what they will find, when they get there”. (Rheingold, H, 2002 p. 207).  In MY words ; cyborgs are individuals who constantly stay connected to their mobile phones, always attached to their devices regardless of where they are or what situation they are into. Whether I am off walking in the street, driving or strutting about through a public place it wouldn't be normal” to not see at least one individual checking out their phone!  An interesting article that categorizes three types of tribes formed from mobile device behaviors consist of:  (The Independent 2011).

1.   Cyborgs- A study conducted from a social anthropologist named Massimiliano stated that people who are becoming cyborgs use their mobiles to “embrace connectivity in all aspects of their life, including professional and personal spheres, across all devices and places”.   
   
2. Centaurs-  people who have mobile phones for personal, technological and professional use, and make heavier use of text messaging.
   
3.  Space-cowboys- people who often switch devices and providers for personal advantage rather than connecting socially.  (The Independent 2011).
   
   

From that explanation alone it depicts that by spending more and more time with this sort of technology , our lives are really transforming in ways like never before. We aren’t thinking like we used too. Cyborg technology has taken OVER! Ingrid Richardson- Australian Lecturer from Murdoch University;  quotes  ‘’Portable media devices and ‘wearable’ communications technologies are becoming both increasingly ubiquitous and personalised, penetrating and transforming everyday cultural practices and spaces, and further disrupting distinctions between private and public, ready-to-hand and telepresent interaction, actual and virtual environments.’’  (Richardson, R 2005)  .

 
Now moving along to

  The Social implications of mobile technology

 Mobile phones have empowered the way in which communication can be exchanged between individuals who can speak at any time or anywhere without the need to be present in a specific place. These devices that are attached to us like glue also possess deceitful traits. Psychologist  and socialist Sherry Turkle studies how technology has shaped modern relationships, with others and ourselves in it. In her talk on TEDTALK  she quotes  (Ted 2012,)

1.   ‘’We expect more from technology & less from each other’’. Most of us turn to use our gadgets in times of loneliness ‘’we turn to technology to help us feel connected, in ways we can comfortably control’’. As a result the repercussions of this involve us having a constant fear to express ourselves as well as lacking necessary skills to have a physical conversation with someone (predominately an issue for teenagers). 
   Although mobile devices provide many convenient features, it has caused people to become lazier and become mentally distracted these days. Your own mind shifts from reality. How many times have you had to undertake an important task,  but get deemed into temptation too text. The clock is ticking and your still sitting twiddling your thumbs waiting for that reply, or your just simply enjoying a fancy social session. But then you realize that all  that valuable time has been WASTED resulting in panic. 
   

  Switzerland socialist-  Hans Geser also identifies some specific impacts that mobile phones  have upon the social structure. Examples: (Geser, H 2004).

1. Mobile phones enable individuals to be secure about who they communicate with i.e close friends and family.  ‘’circles of established friendships can be deepened because a higher density of communication  within such circles can be maintained: - irrespective of time and place’’ : (Geser, H 2004). People also have the ability to control the way in which they decide to express closeness or distance for communication.
   
2. They enable the process of ‘’planning’’ and replanning  of events to be quicker. This ‘’ allows people to adapt to unpredictable short-term changes in circumstances, opportunities, or subjective preferences and moods,’’ (Geser, H 2004).
   

Now towards the FUTURE? How will these perpetuous devices evolve? Some future predictions (MobileWorldLive 2012):

1)    By 2020 , over 20 million devices will be connected, that equates to three connected devices for every person on the planet.

2)     Downloads of mobile apps will reach 76.9 million by 2014.

3)     Half a billion people will be using their devices as metro and bus tickets by 2015.

Mobile phones play a huge role in social networking and its only through time that we will  be introduced to even more  phenomenal forms of this technology.

Thats all for now! 

:)

References

1.   Thompson 2007, Mobile phone users: are we now cyborgs, Bioteams, viewed 23^rd November 2012, http://www.bioteams.com/2007/03/28/mobile_phone_users.html.
2. Rheingold, H, 2002, ‘Smart Mobs: The Next Social Revolution’, Howard Rheingold, United States of Amercia. The Independent 2011, Do your mobile habits label you as a Cyborg, Centuar or Space Cowboy, The Independent, viewed 24^th November 2012, < http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/do-your-mobile-habits-label-you-as-a-cyborg-centaur-or-space-cowboy-2306188.html>
3. Richardson, R 2005, Mobile Technosoma: some phenomenological reflections on itinerant media devices, The Fibreculture Journal, viewed 24 November 2012, < http://six.fibreculturejournal.org/fcj-032-mobile-technosoma-some-phenomenological-reflections-on-itinerant-media-devices/ >
4. The Open Communication Journal 2008, ‘Cell Phone Usage and Social Interaction with Proximate Others: Ringing in a Theoretical Model’, p. 2, 127-135,  Banjo et al.; Licensee Bentham Open,  United States of Amercia. 
5. Ted 2012,  ‘Sherry Turkle-Connected, but alone’? Ted, viewed 24 November 2012, < http://www.ted.com/talks/sherry_turkle_alone_together.html>
6. Geser, H 2004, ‘Towards a Sociological Theory of the Mobile Phone’ , Online Publications Sociology of the Mobile Phone, viewed on 25 November 2012, http://socio.ch/mobile/t_geser1.htm#3.3
7. MobileWorldLive 2012, Gazing into the Future of Mobile, Youtube, viewed 29 November 2012, <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7P8N40kxVuo>