Operator. Operator?

“Human beings live in two different kinds of environments. One is the natural environment and consists of things like air, trees, rivers, and caterpillars. The other is the media environment, which consists of language, numbers, images, holograms, and all of the other symbols, techniques, and machinery that make us what we are” –Neil Postman.
When the media environment collides with the natural environment it creates the environment we call technology. Technology is no more than the extension of our natural abilities.
The extension of the ear by the telephone has impacted how our culture has grown and is able to communicate with other cultures around the globe. I personally think the telephone was a great invention, however, what has developed as a result of trying to improve the telephone’s technology may not be so great.
The cell phone is a recent development to the technological world, branching off from the traditional telephone. Many people think technology is a wonderful thing and is improving our world every day, however, not all technology is good technology. Texting on cell phones has degraded our ability for communication face to face.
I will admit if it weren’t for texting I may never speak to some people. I am the type of person who relies on texting rather than a phone call as form of communication. This in turn has broken down my ability to communicate verbally. I get nervous and anxious when speaking with people.
The telephone’s purpose was to increase communication. However, the cell phone that was invented as an extension of the telephone is functioning as a tool to lessen the need for verbal communication.

Work Cited

Postman, Neil . "The Humanism of Media Ecology :: MEA Proceedings." The Media Ecology Association. 12 Oct. 2009 .