With each successive generation, technology has exponentially developed. Technology and its progression have been of splendor and wishful thinking. The physicist Freeman Dyson stated, “Technology is a gift of God. After the gift of life, it is perhaps the greatest of God’s gifts.” However, the unintended intrusive consequences of technology have been tremendous for each successive youth following every generation. A startling statistic shows that the amount of time the average American boy or girl spends in front of an electronic screen is more than 7 hours a day. The amount of time the average American boy or girl spends in unstructured outdoor play is 4-7 minutes. Juan Martinez discusses this in his presentation on TedTalk “Detention or Eco Club: Choosing Your Future.” You can find more on this discussion using the following link.
This phenomenon has been coined “Nature Deficit Disorder” by Richard Louv. He goes on to discuss this in his book “Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder” which explores how children interact with the natural environment in both contemporary and historical settings. According to the growing amount of scientific data, Nature Deficit Disorder is linked to reduced use of the senses, focus issues, obesity-related problems, and greater risks of both mental and physical ailments. Also, studies show that a lack of nature lowers our competence with the nature of the world around us and our environmental responsibility. These issues are related to the “epidemic of inactivity,” as described by healthcare professionals. Nonetheless, Richard Louv thinks that the nature-deficit condition in civilization is reversible.
Many philosophers have theorized the implications of our reliance on and indulgence in technology. One of my favorite interpretations is from Frank Herbert’s masterpiece novel series “Dune”. In this hypothetical far-flung future, sentient AI is outright banned for its danger and threat to humanity including any tech beyond which is necessary. As a result, humans have had to adapt and evolve without technology. People in this universe develop the capabilities of a supercomputer and acquire faster-than-light space travel through biological means. Our helplessness due to our exorbitant need for machines and technology ultimately can take a sharp turn if we don’t take the necessary precautions. I agree with Frank Herbert’s depiction of these circumstances and I think a position somewhere in the middle is the most positive. This is why a New Nature Movement has sprouted up to combat this urgent concern for our disconnection from nature. This movement emphasizes that we need to regain our connection with nature but also does not assume technology to be a terrible thing. Finding a balance between the two deviations can help us create a healthy relationship between both.
The New Nature Movement has come at an integral time in our society where we are huddled around our electronics for almost the entire day. A comical insight into this has entered the cultural zeitgeist depicting the dependence we have on our electronics. It is joked that people can’t even use the bathroom without bringing their phones with them. We have been over-stimulated and have quite literally fried our minds from our constant access to entertainment and information right at our fingertips. It is argued that humans have evolved without technology for thousands of years and its rapid development is overwhelming for our adaptation. I find that the New Nature Movement has a simple message yet a huge potential to benefit our social circumstances dramatically.
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