Steve Johnson’s essay Social Connections reviews the New York Times column by Thomas Friedman as well as illustrates Johnson’s opinions on the topic of the use of new technology. Johnson begins his essay with the arguments made by Friedman, that “technology can make the far feel near. But it can also make the near feel far” (414). Johnson uses this argument to demonstrate a comparison between the passionate claim made by Friedman and his own view as he states “I am a bit less worried than Friedman is about the social disconnection for the connected age” (414). Johnson then uses the second half of his essay to describe how he feels about the topic, that in fact it does “give us better opportunities” (415). Johnson’s style used in this essay with half of his writing spent on explaining one argument, and the second half describing his own proves for an ineffective, underdeveloped argument. Johnson attempts to make a good argument, but fails to execute his purpose as he does not fully develop his own views matched up against a more compelling, bolder argument than his own.
Johnson provides a great question to ask his readers for discussion. After analyzing Friedman’s column and explaining his own position on the use of technology, Johnson asks, “so the question becomes: how important is face-to-face?” (415). I believe face-to-face is the most valuable form of communication society can use. There is an intimacy and sense of closeness achieved when people meet face-to-face that can not be replaced otherwise. I also believe there is value in technology, especially in Facebook and the new smart phones. I use both of these new technologies in my every day life to keep in touch with my friends and family, contact classmates, and check in with my outside work. I use a smart phone to check my e-mail and save time by being connected to the Internet whenever I need it, which is quite often as a college student. But even though I advocate for these products’ significance, I hold personal, face-to-face time higher. In fact, when I spend quality time with my close friends or my boyfriend, I like to put my cell phone away somewhere where I will not even see it to avoid distraction. Even in the progressive age of high education and professional working, society still has a lot of learning to do and growth to be achieved in the development of new technology.
