Technology, Part 2

Isn’t it interesting that, in addition to the advantages that technology brings, there are also a number of problems.  Sometimes we can feel overwhelmed with the amount of information that comes our way—it becomes harder and harder to find what’s really important.  A number of scholars have also noted that technology makes it harder to separate work and non-work life.  Whereas, in the past, one could leave the workplace and leave work at work, today’s gadgets and gizmos make that impossible.  Even a simple cellphone can be a leash to work, but add to that the Blackberries, Laptops, IPhones and other such things, and work can begin to consume all of our time away from work.  These things can have advantages, for sure, but I think they can also cause work to take over our lives.  Have you felt these or other disadvantages of technology in your job?

Technology

You probably don’t need me to tell you that technology has brought a number of advantages to workplaces.  Our work is more efficient because of the technology that we have available, and information is at our fingertips.  We have the ability to communicate with people around the world in ways that would have been impossible only a few decades ago.  More subtly, many scholars claim that technology has helped to equalize status in organizations.  In the past, those wanting to speak with a CEO or “higher up” in an organization would have had a difficult time gaining access to him or her, but through email, one can easily send a message to anyone, regardless of status differences.  My job as professor has changed similarly where students can email professors about questions they have rather than having to more formally schedule a visit.  Technologies such as PowerPoint have created new ways of reaching students.  How has technology changed the ways in which you do your job?