Thinking about nature brings thoughts of beautiful natural
patterns, stillness coupled with wilderness, and even a breath of fresh air. However,
when I think about nature through a screen… It’s just… different.
In the 2012 movie Cloud Atlas, there is a timeline/storyline
about New Seoul (fictional), which takes place in the year 2144. The movie
depicts bleak, gray apartments-almost reminiscent of a cement cage. There is little
furnishings and amenities shown in the space. However, a few seconds into entering
the depressing emptiness of the character’s apartment a technological wall is
turned on which emerges the room into an image of naturalistic views. The wall transforms
from depressing to peaceful and beautiful. There are vivid colors and
romantic nature depictions. The images take up every inch of the walls to
portray a vastly larger, outdoor themed, apartment. When shown the city of “New
Seoul”, there doesn’t appear to be nature in sight but rather like every available
outdoor surface is either gray or equipped with electronics (screens, lights,
etc.).
Friedman, Kahn Jr, and Borning in the article titled “Value
Sensitive Design and Information Systems” reviewed information suggesting that
interaction with real nature can garners physiological and psychological
benefits.
Nature on a screen is just different. When you’re in nature
your senses are all used, while on a screen it is just visually appealing. The
Friedman, Kahn Jr., and Borning article studied and collected data on the
participants who could see a real natural view versus one displayed on the screen.
They measured physiological data (heart rate), performance data, video data
which studied eye movement, immediate physiological equipment analysis (to
study effects), and social-cognitive data (50 minute interviews). This study
showed negative effects when viewing nature through a screen.
New Seoul’s dystopian future view brings up a ringing issue:
we are using natural resources and becoming heavily dependent on technology. When
thinking of this type of dystopian future, it brings to light the ethics of
saving natural resources and wilderness areas for our future generations. If we
continue down this linear progression, will our only option to look at screens
of nature?
The Friedman, Kahn Jr., and Borning article showed that
looking at nature on a screen negatively affects psyche. Without any of these
resources left, will we maintain a healthy psyche? Our values should align with creating better technology, but still maintaining the serene beauty of nature, which have been shown to have positive effects on psyche.
I believe that although technology is amazing, we need to be
weary of our actions, and decrease our use of natural resources while preserving wild life. We need to gift
future generations with not only amazing technology, but a place to escape and
be free- within nature.
This is a really interesting post because I think nature often gets neglected in the conversation around technology. You mention how our interactions with nature may be limited to a screen, but what about upcoming technologies like virtual reality and augmented reality? I think you could mention these possibilities, especially when you talk about what senses are stimulated when interacting with nature through tech, and see how that might change your argument.
ReplyDeleteI thought this was a really interesting topic! I can pretty clearly imagine a dystopian Black Mirror-esque society like the one you described from the movie, or the scene from the Hunger Games pops into my head where she is sitting her room and turns on the walls that make it seem like she’s in the woods. I find it intriguing that viewing nature on a screen can have a negative impact, as I know how loved nature documentaries can be. Overall great post, I’d recommend maybe adding another picture and fully introducing who the authors from the reading are.
ReplyDeleteYou've taken a very interesting take on technology. The content of your post is very interesting, and I think a title that captures the attention of your readers' to match would be a great addition! Something that hooks your readers and gets them to want to read more. Additionally, I think to keep your readers' attention, it would be great to include why this matters for them. Maybe a relatable story at the beginning of the post? Great job, loved reading this!
ReplyDeleteYour voice throughout the post is very clear and well done. You also reference the article very well and use the evidence provided nicely. However, I think you could make the post more personable and not only talk about how you feel about this at the very end of the post.
ReplyDelete