Although I do believe that owning a few forms of technology, such as a cell phone and computer, is necessary in our increasingly "fast" world, owning technology is mainly a want. With nearly all aspects of life centralized around technology now-a-days, people need a few basics in order to keep up with the social and business world. I believe that all people need a cell phone (not necessarily a smart phone) in order to communicate with people in all aspects of their life. Also, it is important to have some sort of computer that will give a person access to the internet. With this said, most people have many more superfluous technological devices, such as televisions, GPS systems, sound systems in their home, music players, and more. In our society, everyone wants the newest and fastest item. Most people will agree, including myself, that they will want to buy a new product once it is released, even if they already have a functioning older model of the product. In fact, I know quite a few people who actually do buy the new smartphone or computer each year when they are rel eased. I believe that a few main reasons for this desire for the "next best" item are competition, marketing tactics, and personal reputation. I can honestly say that I try to be environmentally and money conscious by only getting a new product once mine has broken. My family recycles our electronics that are no longer in use by participating in an annual e-waste drive (which I also volunteer at). The electronics from this drive are sorted and broken down where some parts will be reused and others will be sent to the proper receptacles.

I completely agree with you Carina.  I think that the way that our society is set up we always want the next best thing.  Once something is old we do not want it anymore and I feel that we are losing the value of so many precious items. It is like we are in a competition with one another to have the best phone or newest ipad.  I also recycle my old electronics but I cannot lie I do want the newest of many things.  I know I do not need the newest cell phone but I want it just because it is better than my old phone.  Luckily, my parents do not buy these new cell phones for me unless my phone is broken.  In our time I believe that technology is very important and it is necessary to have these items.  One day our country will be ruled by technology.

I agree with you that we always want the next best thing in technology. The competitition for having the best phone, laptop, or ipad is everywhere. It may not always be obvious, but we may sometimes think about how we would get the next best thing.

I agree with you too. Except I feel that we don't really NEED technology at all. We do need it in our present society but before technology the world was in better condition than it is now. It is however kind of hypocritical of me to say this because I do like and want more technology. It's all just a matter of choice and making the right decision because it is right and not because of your own personal opinion.

It's important, I think to explore and nurture the parts of our lives that do not depend on technology.  that way, we put the technology related parts into perspective.  it annoys me when I see people get together with their friends and spend more time looking at a screen than looking at one another.

Navah, I agree with you in seeing that there will be a time in the future where all aspects of our lives will be ruled by technology. Honestly, this makes me upset. I think that, globally, people should be moving away from the use of technology, and should be spending their time strengthening their connections with other people and with nature (like Jason mentioned). Again, I agree with you that I also want the next best product, even if I know that I do not need it. Sharon and May, I find your comments especially interesting because you are both from Ghana, whereas I am from America, and it seems that we have very similar perspectives about technology in our lives. Before, I thought that overusing technology and craving to always get new products was mainly only an issue in the US and other larger countries. It is intriguing to see that the attitude of constant desire for “the next best” technology is prevalent all around the world.

I believe that technology is something that is NEEDED for people who are willing to have some kind of successfulness in life. You need to have a computer/cell phone in order to take part in some activities that require them. Nowadays, anything that is not technologically advanced is obsolete, and so are their owners. School and work now fully integrate technology in their day to day. I also think that the people who are denying from technology tend to have more trouble at their respective work places/school, which is not efficient at all, especially in the world we currently live in. All this makes me disagree with you.

I don't think we all need a cell phone. we have landlines and the schools have phones and it puts more pollution in the air from the factories they are made in and wastes money for something that will eventually break. And sometimes they crack on the same day you get them.