Technology has brought about a lot of changes in society, including how people interact and experience pleasure. The increased access to technology means that individuals can now easily find and enjoy different forms of pleasure through devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and video games. While this may seem like an advancement, it also poses several challenges to social and moral institutions. In this essay, I will discuss why technologically mediated pleasure is perceived as challenging to social and moral institutions.
The first reason why technologically mediated pleasure is considered challenging to social and moral institutions is because it promotes isolation and loneliness. When individuals spend time on their devices engaging in solitary activities like playing video games or browsing pornography, they are no longer connected to the physical world around them. This leads to feelings of disconnection and loneliness, which can be harmful to relationships.
If one spouse chooses to play video games for long periods while ignoring their partner, it can lead to resentment and conflict. As a result, there is less communication between couples, leading to a breakdown in intimacy.
Technologically mediated pleasure promotes addiction. With easy access to various forms of pleasure, people become hooked on these pleasures, making it difficult for them to function without them. They prioritize virtual experiences over real-life interactions with family members or friends. Consequently, they become distant from those who matter most to them since they are too busy exploring digital worlds. It also affects mental health by causing anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses that require professional intervention.
Technologically mediated pleasure promotes unhealthy body image ideals. With the rise of social media platforms, young people have been exposed to images that promote unrealistic body standards. They compare themselves to influencers and celebrities, leading to low self-esteem and body dysmorphia.
Sexualized content online encourages objectification and exploitation of women, men, and children. Children and teenagers may indulge in such content without understanding its impact on their behavior later in life.
Technologically mediated pleasure promotes violence. Video games and pornography contain explicit scenes depicting violence against women and children. While this may not be harmful to adults, it normalizes violence among children, resulting in aggressive behavior when they reach adulthood. The same goes for violent video games, which desensitize individuals to violence and make them more likely to commit criminal acts.
Technologically mediated pleasure can lead to financial problems. People spend a lot of money on devices and subscriptions while neglecting basic needs like food and shelter. Some individuals even lose jobs due to excessive use of technology, making it difficult to support their families. This creates an imbalance in society where some people have enough resources to enjoy virtual pleasures while others struggle with survival.
Technologically mediated pleasure is challenging to social and moral institutions because it promotes isolation, addiction, unhealthy body image, violence, and financial issues. It is essential for people to find balance between real and digital experiences to avoid these negative consequences. Parents should monitor their children's activity on the internet and teach them about the potential risks of technological dependence. Society must also address the need for regulations that protect vulnerable groups from exploitation through pornographic or violent content.
Why is technologically mediated pleasure perceived as challenging to social and moral institutions?
The pursuit of pleasure through technology poses a challenge to traditional concepts of morality and human interconnection due to its tendency to isolate individuals from society and weaken their sense of community. Technology has enabled people to access a wider range of pleasurable experiences that are often more intense than those experienced offline, leading to addiction and escapism. This can result in individuals prioritizing their personal gratification over collective responsibility, which threatens the cohesion of groups and communities.