Since many of my recent posts have aligned with the most important story circulating the world right now, the coronavirus, this week I have chosen again to talk about an effect of the disease on the tech industry. Specifically, I will be focusing on the increasing reliance of Americans on technology and whether or not this could be a realistic view of our country and other parts of the world in the future. 

While the rest of the economy seems to be tanking, business in the tech sector is not just holding steady, but thriving. Amazon is hiring an additional 100,000 warehouse workers to fulfill demand. Facebook an explosion of traffic for video calling and messaging. Microsoft said users of its collaboration software have increased 40% in a week. These are just some of the many growing examples of the industry booming as a result of our reliance on technology. Perhaps the most miraculous part of this situation, is that we are doing it. Albeit a bit begrudgingly, but still millions of Americans are going about their daily lives working from home, taking classes, ordering groceries for meals either straight to their door or picked up in a parking lot. Turning instead to entertainment sources such as Netflix and Youtube or using digital services to connect with friends and family, we are getting through this. Which begs the question, in the future could this lifestyle or even a similar one be viable? 

For years we have heard concerns of young people being a technology-obsessed generation “glued to our screens”. People claimed this would decrease our social interactions and in a way, over time some effects of this reliance on tech proved this true. For example, with the rise of e-commerce came the fall of the mall. Once a go-to place for both socializing and shopping, malls simply could not compete with the ease, accessibility, and variety provided by online retailers. In fact, mall vacancies are now at a 7 year high and are only projected to increase as more and more people are forced to rely on online retailers during this time of need and perhaps after as well. But mall closures are considerably smaller than the issues we face currently.

Now in this somewhat dystopian world, we are living without human contact and fulfilling those fears. But I think the viability of living like this depends on the person. I know some people who are not as socially outgoing or simply prefer to be indoors are actually okay with the situation. I recently saw an interview with Trevor Noah in which he said he was always an indoor kid and now he gets to do his work and play video games inside. Similarly, my older brother loves to play video games and he seems to be fine working from home while using this time to play online and with his friends. I would say for the majority of people, this is difficult but I wonder if over time, people will adjust and could potentially live much more socially distanced lives than we do now. Let me know what you think in the comments below!  

Regardless, it will be interesting to see the implications of how our society moves forward after this disease and returning to “normal life” after spending some time glued to our screens.