Category: Unit 2

In Franzen’s opinion piece of like vs love, the concept of liking something and loving something is discussed in what I can only describe as “an interesting way”. To be entirely blunt about this, I disagree with Franzen’s view on like vs love. At the very least I don’t entirely follow his point in mentioning technology for the purposes of describing the difference between the two. I mean it does, but to a degree that to me pulls away more from the literal matter and bends the purpose to criticize technology as it comes out now in relation to consumerism. Yes, the devices that are created now are made to be likable so that we buy them, but then why are we talking about what it means to be likable at a deeper level? That sounds almost self explanatory when I mention it like that, but the degree by which Franzen drags this concept out is off-putting. For example, he mentions that devices are meant to be liked for consumer purposes, but explains that with people being likable is a surface level thing and to like someone at their core would be moving into the realm of loving them (at least having emotional ties to them such as caring or worrying). However, we already know that people are not like devices in the sense that there is no deeper part of a device to get to know. The question of like vs love in this respect is of two different natures then. By this logic I move to answer the given prompt now. Do I agree with his idea of like vs love? I can’t say I entirely agree given his approach to this matter and even if I say I did, anyone would (or at least should) be concerned if they felt “love” for their device, which again would mean they are emotionally attached to the point that they worry and care for it (according to Franzen). So having said I disagree I can answer that I do not pay attention to my usage of apps/tech that make my life easier because as it turns out they make life easier for a reason. Probably so that I wouldn’t have to think too much about what I would do without it (i.e scheduling, calculation, entertainment/time wasters, etc).

Franzen’s concept of liking and loving something or someone is a very foreign idea to me. However I do agree with it. The idea of liking something has been cheapened by the use of technology and social media to the point where a simple double tap or click on a screen constitutes a like. Everyone has the odd desire to be liked, which creates a nation of shallow minded, manipulative, narcissists. Franzen’s concept of love is oddly appealing. The idea that everything you are, everything you’ve experienced, the very essence of your being, being exposed to another is pure and terrifying at the same time. My own relationship with technology does and doesn’t concern me at the same time. It doesn’t concern me because unlike many people my age, I keep my life very private. There is little to no information or pictures of my life on social media. In this way I don’t end up pandering to anyone, needing to be liked. At the same time my relationship with technology concerns me because I spend more time with my phone and technology than I do people. It’s come to the point where I prefer being left alone with my phone and my music. With Franzen’s idea of love in mind, I don’t think anyone truly loves anything. People can be passionate, people can like something but to truly love something, to know it inside and out and still care for it is something rare that I doubt most people would be willing to do. Now people are all about the casual flings and likes and no one focuses on love, which in my opinion just forces us to rely more and more on technology as the ways people connect just whittle away while we become more connected with the world.

In this article, the writer Jonathan Franzen refers to how most of us have an infatuation with our smart devices.  He points out how we as consumers develop a fake concept of love with technology.   However, once a new model appears on the market, our so-called love for our current device starts to fad away, and we become more intrigued with the new level of technology.   He also points out how social media became the new method of liking something.  Their no effort or serious thought in this process of liking, we click a button, and the liking process of liking is completed.     Franzen explains that with the advancement of technology and the fake image of social media, we lost our way of connecting to real people.  We lack real love because we display no empathy or genuine emotion.  I agreed with Franzen’s concept of like vs. love.

When it comes to my smart devices or technology, I do not have a significant concern.  I do not feel an emotional connection to my smartphone or any other devices.   I think the current condition of the world today has exposed to me what important.  This current pandemic has made reevaluate what important and smart devices and technology was not on the top of the list; however, the family was.  I’m not going to say technology and smart devices are not necessary for daily life or activities. However, during the pandemic, out of all the capabilities a smartphone has, I just needed the essential feature to make a basic phone call to my loved ones.