http://newsnet.byu.edu/story.cfm/60307
Is there anything you can’t do with technology? After reading this article, I believe not. Bob Tedeschi, a reporter for the New York Times wrote an article about how he tracked his wife using an application he downloaded on his G1 phone from T Mobile called Glymspe. Nevertheless Glymspe is becoming available on other phones, such as, iPhones and Blackberrys.
While reading this article I was wondering about privacy and thinking what is the creation of more advanced technology doing to our society? However, after reading more of the article I realized that Glymspe makes sure that tracking is granted by the one being tracked and it could be stopped at any minute or even put on a timer. The person being tracked can be tracked by people who do not have the application; Glymspe allows them to send an email so they can be tracked from a home computer or another cell phone with internet capabilities.
I believe this can be beneficial to our society; however, if not used carefully it can damage our society as well. It can be beneficial say if you wanted to keep a lookout for your family at a big amusement park if the family were to be split up from one another. However, like other advances in technology this tracking mechanism can also cause our society to communicate less and become more dependent on technology. It is said that reliance on mobile phones therefore can lead to a reduction in general competence in an ever increasing population of specialists (“Powering Down” 1). Our society already has lost communication skills because of texting. Glymspe could further impact our society’s communication and trust because now instead of calling your wife before you leave work and your wife believing that her husband is leaving work; she can just track him instead of communicating and trusting him. Derek Westra, a senior from BYU conducted a survey on the effects of technology on communication said, "Research has shown that if a person feels his or her likelihood of being rejected for a date is high, there is a better chance he or she will ask through a text rather than a higher risk way, such as over the phone or in person" (Kasallis 1). This really does not set a good impression for the next generation because it will be teaching that trust and communication is not important anymore because technology can do it for you.
This article did a wonderful job of examining both the positives and negatives of Glymspe. I really enjoyed reading about it and I think Glymspe can be very beneficial to our society and the way we interact if handled properly and making sure it does not hinder communication and trust.
References:
Kasallis, Theresa. "Text messaging affects student relationships." BYU NewsNet. 5 July 2006. 28 May 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/21/technology/personaltech/21smart.html?_r=1&ref=personaltech
"Powering Down: The Negative Effects of Cellular Communication Technology on Human Behavior." Weblog post. 7 Mar. 2007. 28 May 2009
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