ST. CROIX INSIGHTS

Photo by Chris Lawton

New Coke, Amazon’s Fire Phone, McDonald’s Arch Deluxe, Betamax, and those second or third spouses—the list goes on. In today’s world, change is a constant buzz. However, as evident in the list above, not all change proves to be good.

Nevertheless, it doesn’t take much for us to be captivated by that shiny new thing. To be clear, some changes are beneficial: technological advancements have birthed iPhones, Bluetooth, and countless life-saving innovations. Our personal and professional growth hinges on our ability to embrace change.

Yet, with any substantial change, it’s crucial to weigh the potential costs of these technological leaps.

Consider the smartphone in your pocket: you have instant directions to anywhere, and everyone you need to reach is just a tap away. But if your sophisticated iPhone loses its charge, you can’t notify your business partner about your delayed arrival or warn your spouse about road construction on their way home.

Once, we memorized friends’ phone numbers routinely; now, with everything digitized, those memory exercises have become relics of the past.

More concerning, smartphones might be affecting our brains in distressing ways, such as having negative effects on our cognitive abilities, sleep patterns, and social-emotional skills.

While change can distance us from our core values and true selves, it can also enhance our efficiency, broaden our perspectives, and connect us with people worldwide. Change, like anything else, has its good and risky sides.

Don’t change merely for convenience or because it’s the trend. Sometimes, the old ways, the status quo, suffice just fine. A handwritten letter holds more sentiment than an email, and nothing surpasses a homemade loaf of bread. Some change is good, just be thoughtful and vigilant before accepting it into your life (and try turning off the technology every once in a while).