Video kills more than just radio

Increasing technology harms as much as helps

The Buggles claimed, “Video killed the radio star.”

When technology broke their hearts in 1979, they placed the blame on “VTR,” video tape recorders. Ironically, in 1981, “Video Killed the Radio Star” was the first music video ever to air on MTV.

The Buggles were simply saying their goodbyes to the golden age of radio while preparing to ride the next wave of new technology. Now, 30 years later, the video star is under fire as technology fixes to once again turn the world upside-down.

Remember when VH1 and MTV played nothing but music videos? You know, when the “M” in MTV actually stood for “music” and the “V” in VH1 stood for videos? Those days are gone, just like the glory days of radio.

No longer do we get to collectively enjoy the premier of new music videos by our favorite artists. We can pirate them from certain websites, stream them from YouTube and pull them off the Internet whenever and how many times we please. Peoples’ inherent impatience mixed with waning attention spans and insatiable appetites for technology have literally reshaped the world, especially the entertainment industry. Technology absolutely dominates the entertainment industry.

Just think of what cellular phones have become. Alexander Graham Bell created the telephone in the late 1800s. It was simply for sending and receiving calls. What an amazing thing that we take for granted! Our ancestors would probably think we’re insane if we told them we could communicate with people on the other side of the planet while driving around in our fancy automobiles.

Communication: That’s the key, in oh so many ways. People wanted to communicate, but they didn’t want to be stuck to the wall in their kitchens. Then we created cordless phones, car phones and cell phones.

But that wasn’t enough. We wanted our phones to play music and take pictures. Then we needed our phones to be computers, so we could have access to the World Wide Web anywhere we went.

People’s need for communication and entertainment has fueled the technology boost, and that technology boost has restructured society.

Whatever happened to sitting down and playing a board game with friends? Or throwing a block party where everyone in the neighborhood brings a dish and everybody limbos? These days, we are so addicted to Xbox, Netflix and the Internet we spend a majority of our time inside, shielded from daylight and human interaction, slowly absorbing into our own lives and losing our abilities to communicate in person.

That too, is ironic: Something that was meant to help humans communicate has basically inhibited face-to-face interactions.

Essentially, technology has become a social buffer. It has created a world where we see each other through screens and speak through texts. Video has not only killed the radio star; it has killed humanity and turned us into technology-addicted hermits.

Think about it. When is the last time you actually physically encountered all of your Facebook friends? I’ll wager you’ve never even met some of them!

Don’t lose your humanity! We are humans. We’re social creatures. Sitting in your living room with a headset on does not constitute true interaction. You can’t high-five your buddies when you blast a sick headshot if they’re not sitting in the same room!

I understand the importance of technology and its role in the advancement of mankind. But we shouldn’t lose touch with real reality while we explore cyber reality. There is more to life than having the hottest new phone.

In conclusion, I just want to remind people to really be people. Don’t get so sucked into entertainment and technology that you forget to lead a real life. The world doesn’t need more brainwashed robots.