Julie Vandervort
Dr. Adam Johns
ENGCMP 0200
Everyone has their own idea of why they are here and what the meaning of life is. Many people devote their lives to a sport or some sort of activity; others look to religion to find a purpose. However, if we continue on the current track we are on now we will soon lose all meaning that life could possibly hold. Technology has made our lives much easier and has even contributed to saving lives but, it also has the potential to ruin our lives.
McKibben believes that “the great danger of the world that we have built is that it leaves us vulnerable to meaninglessness – to a world where consumption is all that happens, because there’s nothing else left that means anything” (McKibben 46). The majority of us are too obsessed with TV, movies, and video games. These things keep many of us from realizing our full potential. This is especially obvious in the current generation because they have grown up with all of this technology and don’t know anything else. For example, my cousins bring their video games everywhere they go. They refuse to interact and socialize with everyone else and if they get distracted for one second from their game they become extremely irritable. This could be attributed to the way their parents have raised them or to the culture they have grown up in.
If we begin to genetically engineer our children this could possibly eliminate their laziness or it could encourage it. McKibbin explains a study done by Csikszentmihalyi that researched why people found a deep joy in some particular activity. He found that for a person to enjoy an activity it must “provide a clear set of challenges,” “a going beyond the known, a stretching of one’s self toward new dimensions of skill and competence” (McKibben 51). If an activity is too easy it will lead to boredom and if it is too challenging it will lead to anxiety. Therefore, if someone is programmed to be an amazing runner they will most likely quit running because it will become boring for them to do. According to McKibben, “the joy comes not from excelling against some arbitrary standard, but from excelling against whatever your limits happen to be” (McKibben 52). Even though people will be programmed to be great, they will probably never reach their potential because they will become bored since there is no challenge.
A life without meaning and purpose is exactly what Jimmy Corrigan lives. He is the prime example of what our lives will become if we let ourselves become completely consumed by technology. If we refuse to do anything with our lives and entertain ourselves solely with technology or if we decide to genetically engineer our children it will only lead to one outcome; we will all become boring and meaningless. Life will become torturous to live and there will be no point to our existence. In order to prevent this from happening we need to start making changes in our lives now. We need to stop relying so much on technology and stop taking life for granted. We only live one life, so why not make the most of it?
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4 comments:
I feel like you clearly stated the purpose of your essay, that if technology continues to advance we will live meaningless lives. However, you never really touch upon what you believe the actual meaning of life is in your own opinion, McKibben's opinion, etc.
As I read your essay, it appeared as though you somewhat restated the idea that technology and engineering will make life meaningless. I think it could be beneficial to add more examples or elaborate more on your ideas to avoid becoming repetitive and make your main idea have more of an impact.
Everyone has their own idea of why they are here and what the meaning of life is. Many people devote their lives to a sport or some sort of activity; others look to religion to find a purpose. However, if we continue on the current track we are on now we will soon lose all meaning that life could possibly hold. Technology has made our lives much easier and has even contributed to saving lives but, it also has the potential to ruin our lives.
McKibben believes that “the great danger of the world that we have built is that it leaves us vulnerable to meaninglessness – to a world where consumption is all that happens, because there’s nothing else left that means anything” (McKibben 46). The majority of us are too obsessed with TV, movies, and video games. These things keep many of us from realizing our full potential. This is especially obvious in the current generation because they have grown up with all of this technology and aren't aware of anything else. For example, my cousins bring their video games everywhere they go. They refuse to interact and socialize with everyone else and if they get distracted for one second from their game they become extremely irritable. This could be attributed to the way their parents have raised them or to the culture they have grown up in. I believe the majority of the reason why they are like results from the culture they have grown up in.
If we begin to genetically engineer our children this could possibly eliminate their laziness or it could encourage it. McKibbin explains a study done by Csikszentmihalyi that researched why people found a deep joy in some particular activity. He found that for a person to enjoy an activity it must “provide a clear set of challenges,” “a going beyond the known, a stretching of one’s self toward new dimensions of skill and competence” (McKibben 51). If an activity is too easy it will lead to boredom and if it is too challenging it will lead to anxiety. Therefore, if someone is programmed to be an amazing runner they will most likely quit running because it will become boring for them to do. According to McKibben, “the joy comes not from excelling against some arbitrary standard, but from excelling against whatever your limits happen to be” (McKibben 52). Even though people will be programmed to be great, they will probably never reach their potential because they will become bored since there is no challenge.
A life without meaning and purpose is exactly what Jimmy Corrigan lives. He is the prime example of what our lives will become if we let ourselves become completely consumed by technology. If we refuse to do anything with our lives and entertain ourselves solely with technology or if we decide to genetically engineer our children it will only lead to one outcome; we will all become boring and meaningless. Life will become torturous to live and there will be no point to our existence. In order to prevent this from happening we need to start making changes in our lives now. We should stop relying so much on technology and stop taking life for granted.
Ryan - as far as it goes, this is an ok response, but it doesn't go very far. More attention to detail (for instance, what details could she expand on, etc.?) would be nice.
Julie - While your argument here is pretty clear, it's not clear why we should agree with you; it's a big, general argument with very limited evidence (all in a very short paper), which is a problematic combination.
Take this line: "These things keep many of us from realizing our full potential" That may well be the case. But what is our full potential, and why should we realize it? Is that what we're *for* - to realize our potential? If so, our potential in what direction? Should I aspire to earn as much money as possible? Have as many children as possible? In a way, you're only rephrasing the question. Moreover, you're paying no attention to who we are relative to our ancestors - is it so bad to play video games instead of working in a coal mine, for instance? Maybe it is - but you're not addressing these issues in any way.
Your shift to McKibben is strange. In one place, you're concerned that we aren't achieving our potential; in another, you're opposed to attempts to enhance human potential through genetic engineering. Maybe you could have connected the two, but you aren't.
Short version: this is a general and vague set of ideas, with limited coordination & evidence.
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