Selfe summary

In the article, “Lest We Think The Revolution is a Revolution” by Cynthia L. Selfe, she focuses on the affects that technology is having on us today and how Americans shut their eyes to all of the negative affects technology is having on us. She starts off her article talking about how English teachers are having to accommodate with less supplies and budget cuts to make room for all of the new technology of the time. Selfe states that many people “believe that technological change leads to productive social change” (293). Everyone hopes and believes that computers can help make the world a better place to live. Most people focus on all of the good that comes out of technology, like how it increases communication around the world. Most people focus on the positives, like global communication, and don’t really see how disruptive it can be. So many people get left out; people who aren’t tech-savvy become foreigners in this new technological world. Another thing that Selfe points out in this article is that people around the world are all benefiting from what we control. So in a sense, we are using the internet to control everyone around us. Americans are beginning to use their computers to become world travelers without stepping foot outside of their house. The whole world can be seen and experienced with a click of a button. Too many people are under the impression that technology is the solution for all of the world’s problems, but in reality, it is the internet that may very well be a contributing cause to many of these problems. There are no “improvements in the world situation, nor the elimination of hunger or pain or suffering or war; not, in other words, an improved life for our fellow inhabitants in the global village or an improved understanding of their cultures and concerns” (301). These are major issues in the world, and technology is not improving the lives of our inhabitants, but rather making them worse in some ways. Technology can cause conflicting standards and incompatibilities and inefficient work habits among Americans today. It is sad that it has come to this, but it seems like families can achieve the same joy today by buying the newest technology as kids in the 50’s. Sexism, classism, and racism were all huge issues during the 50’s.Now it is becoming a problem with technology as well. There are fewer girls that use the internet, and the internet is primarily controlled by males, computer games are designed for boys. It is taking away from the ratification for women and men in our culture. Women use computers to support the work of their boss and to enrich the lives of their family; while men use the web to expand their personal horizon. Overall, people need to realize that “technology does not necessarily bring with it social progress” (321). Too many people rely too heavily on the internet to solve all of the problems around the world. As we put all of our focus into the internet, we forget to deal with the major issues, the internet does not solve everything.