Walden Post



Elyse Beach

Mr. Provenzano

1^st hour Honors American Literature

7 November, 2011

Henry David Thoreau once said “Why should be we live with such hurry and waste of life” (Thoreau 491). After 2 long years in solitude and isolation, Thoreau experienced much of what nature has to offer about life.  Although it is difficult, by minimizing the use of technology the people in society can live simpler and less stressful lives.

Technology allows people to communicate from miles apart, easily connecting businesses and families. With the internet people can acquire information instantly which many people feel is necessary in order to maintain life in this fast paced, instant communication society. With this improved technology, there have been significant improvements in many aspects of our world. We can quickly relay information to our loved ones, sharing news about life events. Businesses can operate efficiently by holding meetings with people who are miles apart geographically but can see each other and share ideas through the internet.  Even our health systems, use this technology to communicate about health issues, advancements in research or even on a smaller scale to remind someone about an upcoming appointment or presentation.

Technology has made communication and information more accessible at a much more rapid rate.  It’s a world of inner-connectedness, instant communication, and a focus on wanting everything immediately.  Despite the efficiency of being able to communicate more easily with family, friends and business both near and far through email, Facebook, twitter, blogging, etc, people feel the need to stay connected to the point that it’s detrimental to relationships and living in the moment.  Sitting at the dinner table and having your family member text someone else takes away from the personal interaction of the moment.   Life without technology would be much simpler.  The excitement of receiving a letter in the mail has been replaced with a text message that will eventually just get deleted. People also take advantage of the ability to hide behind technology.  People do not have the same face-to-face interaction and can communicate in relative anonymity.  This allows people to hide behind technology and “say” things that they would never say face-to-face.  One consequence of this cyber communication is an increase in bullying and spiteful comments about others.  Also, texts and e-mails do not effectively convey the tone of a message or comment which is usually apparent in normal communications.  This leaves the reader to interpret a message and often leads to the wrong interpretation.

            Society should consider limiting the use technology of technology at home, at school, at work and in human’s everyday mobile life.  By using technology less and putting a cell phone or laptop down for a little while each day, people can enjoy life and take a moment away from the stress and pressure of constant and instant communications.  “Why do precisely these objects which we behold make a world” (Thoreau 495)? This quote is very true in the world today.  The world holds on to technology as if it is what gives us life, and without it we would live in complete solitude.  Technology has transformed the way our world works, and sometimes it is not always for the better. Children are starting to get involved with technology at younger ages. This can be  detrimental and lead to childhood obesity and medical complications such as diabetes due to their sedentary existence.   Also, because they are attached to the computer they don’t go outside as much to enjoy nature and the simplicity of a world with no technology. Fishing, hiking, studying leaves and birds and growing a garden are all activities Thoreau would have experienced and should be shared today.

Technology is a very helpful tool which we, as a society, benefit from on a daily basis. It’s hard to imagine at day without a cell phone, email, fax machine or computer. Although it is helpful and often efficient to obtain information promptly, there are drawbacks. People are less likely to take the time to rest, relax and just “small the roses.”  Taking the time to meet with people face to face and really “read” a situation, and live in the moment is critical to us as people. Take a step back in time, like Thoreau, and just enjoy nature and take a more minimalist approach at life.  It also limits the amount of time we take to enjoy the minimalism of life, and nature without it.