Technology Over Safety? Is This Proving Beneficial?

After all the recent events that have occurred in the news these past couple of weeks, I began to think about  how relevant and important technology has been. We have seen throughout the semester and through several presentations that we are members of a technological age. We rely on technology for everything. We use it to socialize, to be productive, to multitask, etc. but, to fight crime is a new addition. Technology is now allowing everyday citizens, without police uniforms and fancy credentials, to take a part in crime fighting. We saw how relevant this has been over the past few weeks. Media users are not going out of their way to try to fight crime and solve mysteries, they are just using their technological devices like they always have. Is our technology addiction actually turning out to be beneficial?? At what costs?

        

We recently experienced the Boston bombings. We began on April 15^th without any leads what-so-ever. This continued on for a day or two until we realized that we had some very reliable sources. These sources were videos and photos taken from peoples camera, video recorders, and phones. People were eager to take pictures of their loved ones running in the marathon, and consequently they may have snapped photos of the bombers. An example of an instance where our technological addictions are proving beneficial.

        

Another very intriguing point to make is that not only are we addicted to technology, but we are intrigued by chaos (and therefore like to make sure we capture the moment via technology). One of the very first videos released on news channels of the bombings was taken by a spectator/reporter. The bomb went off, and he immediately ran towards the wreckage with his video camera still rolling. In the video you see police officers and other people attempting to break through the rubble and assist the injured people, but this man just kind of watches in shock. You repeatedly here him saying, “oh my god,” on the camera, but yet he still went towards the wreck to capture it on film. When interviewed later he was asked why he went towards the bomb, and why he wasn’t concerned about a third bomb. He replied by saying he wasn’t thinking of a third bomb at all. Are we that caught up by chaos that we just feel the need to capture it? Even if it risks our safety or the safety of others? However, in this case, his video ended up being extremely helpful. It was the first video released on news sites. VIDEO  (I'm sure everyone has seen the link, if it is too upsetting feel free not to watch! However you cannot see anything graphic).  What about the gentleman who ignored the order to stay at home, and went outside to his car TWICE. Both times he captured media evidence, and the second time he videotaped the car chase that ended in the death of one of the bombers. Where do we draw the line?

A couple days later there was a horrible explosion at a fertilizer plant in Waco, Texas. I heard about this explosion from a youtube video that was sent to my phone via text message. The video was of a guy filming the explosion from his car. All of the sudden, there is another blast and the camera falls. The guy is panicked, along with the other passengers in the car. You hear a lot of loud noise, and the people are extremely emotional. Why would they go anywhere near a plant that is on fire? Why do they feel the need to record what they were seeing? Did they call 911 before turning on their video camera? Technology has become our addiction, but do we allow it to take precedent over personal safety or over the safety of others? I think so.  But how do we justify this if their videos are turning out to be beneficial? VIDEO #2 (same deal with this video! Again you cannot see anything graphic)

These videos are not meant to be graphic in any way, just using them to make a point! Does anyone else feel the same way!?