Technology has been a major, influential part of today’s society. As a society, we have gotten accustomed to having access to countless information and we are able to talk to one another through phone calls, text, or social media. Through different perspectives we are able to see how people are impacted by technology.
In Kenneth Goldsmith’s book, Wasting Time on the Internet and Saienni, Instagram Poets are Ruining Everything, has very different perspectives on the Idea of technology in today’s society. Goldsmith explains how some people believe that we are too much involved with technology and that it is a distraction from doing daily functions, such as communicating with other people. He strongly disagrees with this. He explains, “ Our devices, if anything, tend to amplify our sociability.” He also argues that “ All I see is people communicating with one another: texting, chatting, IM’ing.”
While Goldsmith feels this way, Saienni has a very discrete opinion. She is frustrated because instagram poets are able to get a significant amount of likes while she feels that she does not get the recognition that she deserves. She shares about her experience of having to go through the process of doing a poetry reading in front of a crowd. She explains, “I cannot sit idly by and watch them gain traction, attention, and digital fame while real poets are struggling to make ends meet.”
I feel that Kenneth Goldsmith’s viewpoint is more valid.. Kenneth has learned to accept society for who we are, which is a society that has developed are the expansion of technology. Saienni fails to realize this. I feel that she should really consider embracing social media by posting some of her poetry.
Literature & the Internet 