Hunter Phipps

Professor Adam Padgett

ENGL 1102
04 February 2014
The age of the Smart-Phone:
Are They Ruining Society?
Context:
If you asked me the role smart phones play in my life, I would dare to say that they are a
necessity. I use my smart phone for many different uses, at various times of the day, from uses
such as entertainment with music, games, and social media when I need a break, quick and
convenient communication throughout the day, and the answer to any question I could possibly
think of. The argument that smart phones are ruining society lies in the hands of those who
misuse and abuse them, especially in social media. In recent discussion, the quantity of hours
spent on them may pose as a leading cause in our generation's laziness.
I have seen both sides of the story, and can relate to both in many cases. For example, out
in the work force, my phone has been a key tool. In my experience with engineering internships,
and in motorsports, there have been days that I do not think I could have made it through the day
without it. I can recall one day that I completed a review of a basement structure entirely on my
phone. I took pictures, notes, edited the pictures with dimensions, wrote a report, and sent it via
email to my boss, and called him, giving him an in dept description as he was reviewing my
email. In the past, this would have taken a few days to do, with many different resources.
Traveling there, taking pictures with a camera, writing notes with paper and pen, traveling back
Comment [AP1]: Interesting question here.
Comment [AP2]: How do you know this?
Are you just conjecturing?
Comment [AP3]: Sounds like you are talking
more about dependency rather than laziness.
to the office, uploading the pictures and transferring the notes. Once that was completed, I would
have had to print out multiple copies, and finally set up a meeting to present my findings, and
possibly travel back clear up any questions. Also, in my experiences at the racetrack, I have
needed documented information on specs and procedures than I did not know I needed
previously. Rather than suffering the consequences, I sat down and pulled up what I needed on
my phone, and continued on without thinking twice. These assets are things that I could not
imagine life without. Also, being able to stay connected is now easier than ever. There are more
social medias out there than many of us know what to do with. After moving to college, it is very
difficult to stay connected with old friends. Even if I am not able to talk to them, I still see what
is going on in their lives by seeing their posts on social media, and it is all at the palm of my
hand.
However, in the negative connotation affiliated with smart phones, my productivity has
suffered severely do to having that entertainment in my pocket. I believe that anyone with a
smart phone can relate to that. Also, big issues are brought up about using smart phones while
driving. Because of the rising craze of being connected at all times, many people are so dire to
stay that way that they put off important things in their life to scroll through social medias such
as Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Before declaring an opinion on the issue, one must take all
aspects into consideration, and ask multiple questions on the topic.
Inquiry:
Technology is one of the most beautiful things that has both improved society, however
at the same time bring about many disadvantages. One may walk into a public place and almost
be guaranteed to see a smart phone. Is this a bad thing? How is the social media phenomena
Comment [AP4]: Media is already plural.
Plural for medium.
Comment [AP5]: I think youre misusing this
word.
Comment [AP6]: Okay, so it seems like you
are kind of recusing yourself from an opinion,
but youve already asserted that social media
contributes to laziness.
affecting society? Even though with the many attributes smart phones such as social media
contribute to society, is that enough to out-weigh the problems they have, and still are, causing?
The advantages are something that are very convenient and many people have adapted and made
life easier in many different areas. But with that, does it bring about laziness, leaving the
appreciation of skills that were once valued in the world behind?
These are questions that we must ask ourselves to provide proper judgment on the topic,
and also to make our opinion stronger. Like any decision, to properly provide and convince
yourself entirely of your belief, you must ask question and seek answers.
Next Steps:
After developing a series of inquiry, the next step is to seek answers. To develop a belief,
one must do research and provide evidence to their mind. Strong judgments and beliefs do not
develop from just question. Even if they do, it is not respected by yourself, nor others. Skipping
that step leaves an important gap in thorough thoughts and holistic belief. The next step will be
to search.
Research is an important first step in this scientific method. By conducting research, I
believe that I will develop my belief and judgment on the topic. Strictly off of personal
experience, I believe my argument will lie on the side of advancement in technology and smart
phones. As expressed earlier, I have had positive results from my technology most of the time,
however I cannot accurately project what my position will be until research has been conducted.
Just as I have found many positive attitudes towards this phenomena, I am sure that there are
many others who have felt the negative connotation often expressed with the outlying obsessions
many have with them today.
Comment [AP7]: This is a good question,
assuming that they are indeed causing
problems.
Comment [AP8]: I agree with this. Also this
is generally how academics should work, so I
really like the tact you are taking so early in
the process.
The next steps I will take will consist of much research, as does every research project. I
must round up many findings and other arguments both supporting my belief, and battling it.
The research will come from various sources, ranging from professional and published studies to
more casual questionnaires and surveys to fully develop a respectable argument.
Hunter,
It seems like you are interested in beginning with a general survey of what possible negative
products have come from social media. You question on do the positives outweigh the negatives
is really interesting. When you write your research paper, I want you to think of a particular
purpose with which you will write. So if you find the negatives outweigh the positives, what is
your goal? To convince readers to reduce their technology use? While I think it is okay to start
broadly, I would like to know a little more about a particular direction you are most interested in.
the laziness topic has potential, assuming there is research that supports it. Good work here, and I
look forward to seeing how these ideas develop.