Sunday, April 8, 2012

Smartphones and the meaning of life


Having a philosophical studies background, I though approaching new technology on a more rational ground was therefore an interesting path to explore.

Indeed, nowadays technology develops at a dizzying pace. What was real fiction 30 years ago becomes now reality. Thus, the advent of wireless phones had a colossal impact on people's lives. And what about the introduction of the web thereon; accessing Internet anytime, anywhere!? Consequently, the launch of Smartphones later on was a logical continuity. Not only people can call from anywhere and have Internet access, but also they possess a MP3 player, a GPS, an alarm clock, a dictionary and all kinds of applications on the same device. Therefore these new cellular have the characteristic of being multifunctional, focusing on convenience and entertainment. Smartphones therefore bind both entertainment and technology, but on a more philosophical ground, also screen existential questioning through diversion and distraction.

Mobile Technology 2011 Update

  •          Entertainment

The concept of entertainment conceived by Blaise Pascal seems the most appropriate in this context of technology. According to Pascal, entertainment is actually a diversion. The famous French mathematician and philosopher supports his reflection over the etymology of the French translation of the word “entertainment”, namely “divertissement”. It actually makes sense: “divertissement” derives from the Latin word “divertere” meaning "to divert, to turn away". Entertainment is then seen as a way to divert from heavy and existential questioning. Didn’t Romans preach over the phrase “Bread and circuses” to reduce and distract the ever growing discontent of the population?! History thus shows how entertainment was and is still used to distract us; to set aside the ideas of death, life, anxiety, and political dissatisfaction. It would therefore avert profound uncertainty, since it is the cause of a fundamental and intrinsic fear inherent to human beings. Pascal sees loneliness as a cause of anxiety and sorrow among most men. Entertainment and mobile communication would thus be used to avoid what we dare not to face.

  • Device

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a device is “a piece of equipment or a mechanism designed to serve a special purpose or perform a special function”. Hence Smartphones, being brought everywhere and used anytime, have the ability to shape, control and assert users’ actions, behaviors and opinions, as well as lifestyle and thoughts. Moreover, new technology also allows to virtually project yourself and appear in several places at the same time.

Pascal's vision of entertainment is still very relevant for understanding the current technology phenomenon. Indeed, since entertainment is supposed to alleviate the misfortunes of existential questions, the new entertainment tools currently on the market, namely the Smartphones, fill the same void. As means of leisure in the 17th century were completely different of those today, the exercise of them differs correspondingly. Theater, or hunting especially among the noble circles, for example, were taking place in a specific location and at a definite time, while today we can multiply the entertainments occurring at the same moment, in the same place. The diversity of entertainments over a single device might explain the excessive use of this device: whenever there is a time lag or a dull moment, we escape through our phone. We end up suddenly on the Internet, listening to music, connecting with friends and/or playing games. Thus, we extend our presence by using a Smartphone, both physically – where we use it – and virtually, escaping loneliness, boredom and existential questioning. Today’s users thus tend to avoid and flee from problems or deep thoughts by confining themselves in a bubble, in a private world. The same observation can be made when radio and television came out.

In brief, the link between entertainment and device is obvious and indivisible as they use and serve each other. Smartphones are more than communication devices, they also act as psychological and mental runaways.  

Unconsciously, "anti-smartphone" video

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