Adam Alter https://www.ted.com/talks/adam_alter_why_our_screens_make_us_less_happy
~ S u m m a r y ~
Many people in our modern society are obsessed with their cellphones. Free time is now filled with screen time and it makes us all miserable. Adam Alter, a psychologist that is well known for case studies in this area of research, explains how the daily use of these cellphones that were make for our own benefits actually takes away from us. Alter uses ethos by using the creator of the company Apple, Steve Jobs, as an example. In his speech he includes dialogue between a journalist and Steve Jobs. The journalist starts off by saying "Your kids must love the new iPad" and what was shocking was Jobs' response. He responded to this statement by saying "They haven't used it. We limit how much technology our kids use at home." After, Alter continues with Logos to explain that 75% of the children that live within Silicon Valley have limited screen time due to their parents that are high-level tech executives. This is very surprising due to the fact that these parents whole lives revolve around these cellphones and how to innovate them, but will not allow them to effect their children. So if the faces behind the creation of cellphones won't even let their kids use them, why do we fall into the trap and allow them to manipulate our lives? Alter also does a very good job at applying pathos into his presentation by using examples to show how this effects individuals lifestyles and even their children. He shows the audience a visual that depicts cellphones effects on generations and how they use their free time. We are at an all time high on the use of these cellphones and this is due to the fact that phones take away stopping cues, making people sucked in, not knowing when to get off their phones. Anyone in today's society can benefit from watching this speech, especially ones that overuse their cellphones.
~ C o n n e c t i o n s ~
This speech relates to the American Dream by showing how cellphones take away our generations work ethic, making it even harder to achieve. In the video 30 Days they explain the importance of budgeting and saving money, but many people in society now would rather pay off their cellphone bill each month then pay for adequate food to support themselves. We sit on our phone and look at social media wishing we could be like other people, but won't act upon what needs to happen in order to achieve it. Cellphones promote the feeling of jealousy, but also laziness. These people that dream to be like others they see on the internet all around the globe don't realize the object in their hand is what is holding them back from achieving it.
~ S p e e c h R e v i e w ~
I personally liked this speech very much due to the relativity it has in my life. Even though I do not use my phone that often and most of the time try to avoid it, this made me realize I could always spend less time on it. Being on my phone takes me away from the outside world and causes many experiences to pass over me. It also takes time away from being able to be with my friends and family. I have even noticed that when I am hanging out with friends many times they will be on their phones rather then talking to everyone else. Phones not only take up your time, drains the happiness from you, but it also takes away from relationships you maintain. In this society we almost can't live without our cellphones, but what we don't realize is that they are truly taking away from our lives. Cellphones are used to replace many important aspects and cause us to be reliable on them. We have now become the most antisocial and unmotivated generation of all time and our cellphones are the ones to blame. After listening to this speech I am now going to use my phone much less and will not touch it when I am with people. I will not allow this form of technology to effect my relationships and work ethic that makes me who I am.