Analysis of "Step Away From the Screen"
Interview with Mike Pesca and Dr. Adam Alter
By: Bailey Grijalva
The screen of technology has become
the new surface of communication and connection. However, when we are in front
of a screen, we are not engaging with the outside world. In this daily podcast
The Gist, host Mike Pesca discusses the trend in screen addiction with Dr. Adam
Alter, which differ from popular addictions from the past. As Pesca begins his
interview with Dr. Alter, he targets the audience by saying, “Just this once,
listen to this interview.” This is an outstanding hook to capture the attention
of listeners because it distinguishes how people in our modern day contemporary
society have become addicted to their cell phones, or other screens. An
interesting approach to the topic of the discussion, Dr. Alter starts off by
simply defining his meaning of “addiction,” referring to an activity is done compulsively.
In his opinion, anything can be considered addictive: opioid abuse, smoking,
gambling, video games, and even pinball machines within an arcade.
The
interesting concept about addiction, as described in the interview, is that it
defects some sort of personal use, resulting in financial, physiological, or
psychological problems; however, it is known to treat loneliness and anxiety.
On the other hand, previous studies also show that the overutilization of
technology contributes to the increased loneliness, anxiety, and similar
conditions. What is making this happen? As noted by Dr. Alter, chemical
dependency is sometimes what differentiates some addictions from the others.
For example, it is said that online shopping addiction isn’t really addiction,
but screen addiction is because it relies on chemical dependency, like
addictions to opioids. This was an unexpected correlation because opioid abuse
is a far worse addiction than addiction to technology, but in a way, it does
make sense how the two contributors made this analogy. Like any other
addiction, however, access to technology brings some sort of happiness to the
brain, which is something most scholars look at when determining the resulting
effects of screens. For instance, when I post a picture to Instagram, I feel
content when I receive positive feedback that includes both likes and comments on
the post. Overall, these similar types of addictions, including shopping or gambling,
bring amounts of euphoria to the brain.
In
relation to technology, the chemical dependency comes into context when
referring to the amount of time we spend of the phone nowadays. Mentioned in
the interview, the average individual spent eighteen minutes looking at a
cellular screen in 2008. Over eight years has passed, and that number has
reached up to an average amount of three hours per day, sometimes even reaching
up to ten hours a day. But, here is the catch: The amount of activity on the
new mobilized smartphone is primarily social media networking, rather than
actually texting or calling, the common functions of the cellphone. As a
result, smartphones are a new form of convergence because when we are looking
at that cellular screen, we are not engaging with the outside world. Rather
than starting up conversation when we are alone for only fifteen seconds, we
look at our phone. Aforementioned, it’s the place to relieve loneliness and
anxiety, but with this addiction continuously increasing, personal
responsibility has declined while binging activities have inclined.
