WEE HUN AND HONG EN SQ&AQ FOR CRITIQUE

PJC JC2 GP 2017 P2 MYE Suggested Answer Scheme 29 June Nowcomment

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2017 PJC JC 2 Mid-Year Suggested Answer Scheme

12) Summary Question

Using material from Paragraphs 1- 4, summarise what Larry Rosen has to say about the concerns that technology has brings.

Write your summary in no more than 120 words not counting the opening words which are printed below. Use your own words as far as possible.

One of the concerns…

Marks allocation:

Application Question

13) Keith Hampton argues that technology is improving our social lives, while Larry Rosen thinks that technology is worsening our real-world relationships. Which author are you more in agreement with? How applicable do you find their observations to yourself and your own society?

Hampton highlights how technology can be leveraged to enhance real world relationships, while Rosen mentions the role of technology in undermining such relationships. I agree with Hampton more, and find his views largely applicable to my society, Singapore, a largely urbanised country with many adults working way too long each day to have ample time for family interaction, hence the need for relying on technology for virtual communication to make up for the loss.

Hampton mentioned that, “online social networks do supplement face-to-face sociability, they do not replace it” (line 2), which I agree with and find often observable in my society. In a busy and hectic environment like Singapore, where many struggle to find time for actual physical interaction. For example, in 2016, a survey by Singapore’s national family council “Families For Life” revealed that 10% of 700 respondents spends 6 or less hours a week with their families. This is where technology, in the form of online social networks comes into play. The convenience of access to platforms such as Whatsapp messenger owing to the fact that a majority of the population owns a smartphone greatly enhances the connectivity between people, allowing for people to stay connected while chatting, thus serving as an additional form of interaction aside from traditional physical conversations. Similarly, social media websites like Instagram enables users to remain socially updated by viewing photos or ‘stories’ of their friends. As such, technology boosts communication between people, through facilitating the development of virtual platforms that are easily accessible, allowing people to stay in touch even as they get about their busy lives. In this respect, technology can be said to have improved our social lives.

However, Rosen argues that “the time and effort we put into our virtual worlds limit the time to connect and especially to communicate on a deeper level” (lines 10-11). I find such a claim having little resemblance to my society, and as such, disagree with it. Being a multiracial, cosmopolitan country, Singapore is compelled to work towards fostering greater ethnic harmony through creating opportunities for meaningful interaction between members of various religious backgrounds. Such efforts can be taken to the virtual stage, which is equally capable of promoting deeper interaction between people. For example, The Singapore Kindness Movement encourages online interactions through the HoodChampions platform, ultimately bringing neighbours and neighbourhoods together to build relationships with one another. In this case, the impacts of technology in encouraging meaningful interaction are evident in how Singapore has come a long way in preserving the unity among different races, with no racial riots since 1969. Therefore, given how technology has provided ample opportunities for social interaction to take place virtually, yet not lose its value, Rosen’s claim is relatively less pertinent to my society.

Hampton further claims that, “Today, we expand our social horizons online, deepening our connections to the world around us, and at the same time, take advantage of technology to make our closest relationships even closer”, which I find largely applicable to my society. The advent of technology has brought about an unprecedented transformation in our lives, from efficiently enriching the masses to introducing dynamism into the way we bond. For example, the various governmental ministries of Singapore actively use social media to reach out to the population, transmitting policies to the grassroots for greater public understanding. In addition, the prevalence of video gaming among modern Singaporean youths is also due to technology. Personally, I am able to strengthen relationships with my close friends through playing online games with them, where we communicate and work towards a common goal together. Therefore, technology has undoubtedly fuelled our acquisition of knowledge, making us more aware of societal affairs. At the same time, it has also paved the way for the cultivation of even stronger ties, hence improving our social lives.

Ultimately, I find Hampton’s claims to be more befitting of my society. Although Rosen argues that the use of technology may have undermined relationships, this statement bears limited relevance to Singapore, where technology has instead been effectively capitalised on to promote deeper and meaningful interaction between people such as neighbours who may not even know each other well. Conversely, Hampton’s views are largely more relatable to Singapore. The fast-paced, urbanised lifestyle in this society necessitates the use of technology as an alternative form of communication to stay in touch. Furthermore, the widespread utilisation of technology has created a socially conscious populace keeping up to date with trends, while also serving to further strengthen relationships between people.

DMU Timestamp: July 19, 2017 00:10

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