Michael, a typical American, stays home on workdays. He plugs into his personal computer terminal in order to connect with the office. After work, he puts on his headphones, watches a movie on his home video recorder, or plays baseball on the computer. On many days, Michael doesn't talk to any other human being, and he doesn't see any people except the ones on television. Michael is imaginary, but his lifestyle is very possible. The inventions of modern technology seem to be cutting us off from contact with our fellow human beings.
The world of business is one area in which technology is isolating us. Experts say, for example, that many people will soon be able to work at home. With access to a large central computer, employees such as office clerks, insurance agents, and accountants could do their jobs at display terminals in their own homes. They would never have to actually see the people they’re dealing with. In addition, the way employees are paid will change. Workers’ salaries will be automatically paid into their bank accounts, making paper checks unnecessary. No workers will stand in line to receive their pay or cash their checks. Personal banking will change, too. Customers will deal with machines to put in or take out money from their accounts.
Another area that technology is changing is entertainment. Music, for instance, was once a group experience. People listened to music at concert halls or in small social gatherings. For many people now, however, music is an individual experience. Walking along the street or sitting in their living rooms, they wear headphones to build a wall of music around them. Movie entertainment is changing, too. Movies used to be social events. Now, fewer people are going out to see a movie. Many more are choosing to wait for a film to appear on television or are borrowing videotapes to watch at home. Instead of laughing with others, viewers watch movies in their own living rooms.
迈克尔,典型的美国人,在家工作日。他将他的个人计算机终端为了与办公室联系。下班后,他戴上耳机,手表在他的家庭电影,或在计算机打棒球。在很多时候,迈克尔不跟任何其他人,他也不见任何人,除了电视上的。迈克尔是虚构的,但他的生活方式是很有可能的。现代技术的发明似乎切断了我们与其他人的接触。
商业世界是一个被技术隔绝的区域。专家说,例如,许多人将很快就能够在家里工作。访问一个大型计算机中心,员工如办公室文员,保险代理人,和会计师可以在自己家里做他们的工作显示终端。他们从来没有真正看到他们对付的人。此外,员工报酬的方式将改变。工人的工资将自动存入他们的银行帐户,使不须要的支票。没有工人会排队领取他们的薪水或现金支票。个人银行业务的变化,也。客户将机器放入或取出钱从他们的帐户。
技术正在改变的另一个领域是娱乐。音乐,例如,一组经验。人们听音乐在音乐厅或小的社交聚会。对于现在很多人,然而,音乐是一种个人经验。走在街上,或坐在他们的客厅,他们戴上耳机,音乐在他们周围建一堵墙。电影娱乐是不断变化的,太。曾经是社会事件的电影。现在,越来越少的人去看电影。许多人选择等待着电影出现在电视上或是借录像带回家看。不要笑别人,观众看电影在自己的起居室。