Although these three pieces were tough to read and understand, I enjoyed and appreciated the message that they delivered. I believe that what these three authors have to say is especially pertinent in the 21st century, where most of the people in this world are heavily connected through their devices. After reading these three pieces I could not help but to think about myself and my own relationship with technology and how it has affected my life and the life of those around me. Technology is a medium that has changed humanity. I felt this especially when reading Heidegger’s piece that discusses the relationship humans have with technology and the different levels that we go through when we interact with technology. Technology has become a way that we communicate, represent and express ourselves. Before technology was invented art was one of the ways through which humans communicated.
In Walter Benjamin’s piece he discusses how art is something that not only reflects, but also affects society as a whole. Just like technology can, art has ways of connecting people. Benjamin also discusses how art is changing, just like society is, therefore the image represents the shift and the effects of modernity. This piece ties together well with the other two pieces because technology has become one of the biggest effects of modernity, and it has affected how humans live their lives.
These pieces helped me understand the true extent technology has on our lives. As a college student in their 20’s, I am a heavy technology user who depends on technology for grades, communication, and just about anything you can think of. I did not explore the depths of the effect technology has on humans and how it acts as a medium in more ways than one that we are aware of.