Topic:

• How the shift of society towards smartphone addictive behaviors propelled by social media is foreshadowing a complete integration of technology into society

Purpose:

• To show how technology is becoming more controlling and more integrative on human life

Thesis Statement:

• We are living amidst a technological revolution. The arrival of new, innovative methods and products to old problems is making society more efficient, but we are becoming too dependent on technology. The exponential growth of technology in society is creating an unhealthy dependence for which humans are compromising certain social and psychological aspects of a life without fully-integrative technology.

Introduction/Attention Strategy/Orienting Material: How will you begin this presentation in a way that appropriately garners audience attention?

• I plan to begin my presentation with a descriptive prediction of what society’s future will look in regards to technology and will utilize imagery and visuals to reinforce my vision. I will then transition to the about the topics in my paper and briefly explain how the shift towards cell phone addiction is prevalent in society today. After prefacing the talk with how cell phones are causing addiction, I will begin to talk about how society is headed towards a fully automated society solely dependent on technology.

Body
I. Technology is intruding on the way humans function as social creatures.
A. Social media and other online platforms eliminate the need and eagerness of people to meet in person
1. Mention social media
2. Online dating apps
B. Technology is depleting good communication and people skills
1. People can hide behind a screen and say/do whatever they want; it makes people more confrontational than they would be
2. Virtual and remote work disrupts team dynamics (even after the pandemic, a good amount of work will likely remain virtual – source?)

II. The incessant growth of technology is eroding human’s psychological independence and well-being
A. Algorithms (good spot to include visuals of statistics, tables, or graphs)
1. Dopamine-dependence
2. Specialized nature
B. Fosters a system of of constant comparison and validation
1. Encourages and more easily enables common cause
2. Social media (ex. the fact that someone might be scrolling through your picture now) – adds a layer of vulnerability. Everyone is always comparing themselves to…everyone.

Conclusion or a Concluding Remark – A closing statement; last words

• Technology is spurring societal change; it’s not all bad, it’s not all good. It is important to note, however, that this technological revolution accompanies a systemic change in the innate way humans function in society.

Other things to mention: rise of tech taking jobs (ex. robots in Amazon factories), artificial intelligence

Reference Page(s)