In the modern world driven by technology, some argue that technological advancements are causing the development of a society with less social interaction. Antisocial behavior refers to individuals who lack consideration for others in society ("What is Antisocial Behavior."). Research has indicated that being antisocial can be influenced by various factors at both individual and societal levels, but external factors like technology tend to have a greater impact.
The iPod, a portable music storage device attached to headphones, gained popularity with Apple selling approximately 250,000 units in the summer of 2002. This number increased to 750,000 by 2008 (“The World at Ear’s length.”) Nevertheless, there is concern about this trend as the iPod isolates users from society and hinders communication within families and society overall.
The use of iPods is believed to impede
...communication within families, resulting in a more isolated and unsociable atmosphere. Nowadays, individuals find it simpler to detach from others and concentrate on their preferred music instead of engaging with the people nearby.
Communication among family members inside houses has significantly decreased. In the past, people would engage in conversation and share their thoughts with their families. However, nowadays, individuals choose to listen to their iPods during leisure time instead. The difference in communication rates between a typical sitting room in 1990 and one in 2013 is quite significant. In 1990, Egyptian children used to frequently talk to their parents about school or work-related problems, seeking advice or simply seeking emotional support. However, today everyone is absorbed in their devices, especially iPods, resulting in complete isolation without any interaction or conversation. This lack of communication also impact
newly married couples.
Many couples, instead of discussing or apologizing for their problems, prefer to ignore their partner's feelings and thoughts and escape into their own world by listening to iPods. This lack of communication often leads to divorce. In fact, statistics show that 50% of newly married couples end up separating due to poor communication skills and the resulting inability to solve problems ("Marriage Statistics."). Therefore, it can be concluded that iPods can also play a significant role in the breakdown of marriages. It is worth noting that the Egyptian family serves as the foundation of Egyptian society.
The impact of changes on families undoubtedly had repercussions on society. These societal implications began in 1979 with the introduction of the Walkman, which included two headphone jacks to reduce its perceived rudeness in public. Previously, it was considered impolite to ignore others by using a Walkman. However, it soon became common to observe individuals walking or sitting in buses completely engrossed in their own music world. The rise of iPods further exemplified this trend, as one user explained their use during a bus ride by saying, "Feel free to sit next to me if you want, but don't expect me to listen."
ElBatran3 uses a single word you care to say. You may speak freely, but it would be unwise to assume that I've heard anything or that I will respond. This illustrates how ignorant and unappreciative people have become by using iPods. These significant changes make it difficult for anyone to feel at ease conversing with a stranger nearby. For instance, a woman on a music site was walking with her
iPod and headphones when her battery suddenly died.
Reflecting on her "AntiIpod" day, she realized it was a chance to meet new people and conduct a "social experiment". She observed that without headphones, she could easily talk to strangers and even met two good individuals in just one day. However, encountering people wearing headphones proved to be frustrating as she couldn't connect with them that day. This obstacle highlights a broader problem within society - when individuals prioritize themselves and ignore others, it hampers the cohesive functioning of society.
The use of iPods is contributing to the development of antisocial societies by isolating individuals and hindering communication. While Americans tend to value solitude and isolation, Egyptians place a strong emphasis on social interaction and rely on each member of their society to maintain close bonds. These values set us apart from other civilizations, but our disregard for others is causing us to lose them. It is important for Egyptians to be aware that their use of iPods is leading to a loss of these values. I encourage them to gradually reduce their usage in order to preserve their values, families, and society.
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