The rapid evolution of our society can be attributed to the technological advances the public has experienced over the years. A development such as the internet has created innovative methods for the public to communicate, congregate, and share information. The internet has and will continue to alter the way people live but the there are pros and cons to the degree in which they rely on this technology. The social effects and the transformation of what is now considered the ‘workplace’ are all debatable effects that technology has had on our society.
The internet has contributed to an enormous impact on social interaction. Some would consider the internet to be form of social isolation because internet use is an individual activity (Nie & Erbring, 2000). Picking up a telephone, writing an actual letter or having physical contact with people outside your computers network is hard to come by with today’s accessibility to the internet. Instead, people prefer email, webcam conversations, and instant messaging friends. “E-mail is a way to stay in touch but you can’t share a coffee or a beer with somebody on e-mail or give them a hug (Nie & Erbring, 2000).” Other’s may find the internet to be the best place to interact socially with people you do and have yet to meet. Centers for social gathering such as myspace, chat rooms, support groups, and dating services have changed the way American’s communicate and the avenues in which you can interface with others. “People on the net are not only solitary information processors but also social beings. They are not only looking for information; they are looking for affiliation support and affirmation (Riva & Galimberti, 2003, p.44).”
The way people conduct business has vastly changed with the wide use of the Internet. Today, many businesses provide websites that allow people to conduct business from virtually anywhere. People are gradually allowing work to penetrate their home life due to the internet...