Americans, Minnesotans and Gusties are becoming increasingly dependent on technology. We use machines to cross continents, cell phones to contact relatives and meters to regulate pancreases. On the surface, this technology is thrilling and useful, but when taken out of context the overuse of machines is addictive and damaging.

A study conducted by Chicago University ranked visiting Facebook and Twitter as the third most irresistible urge right after sex and sleep. Cell phones are linked to the cause of cancer and have been shown to interfere with non R.E.M. sleep cycles. By the way, Apple just announced the iPad 3 will be released May 7, 2012.

According to the article “Americans and Their Cell Phones,” published by the Pew Research Center, 83 percent of American adults own a cell phone, and of that, 13 percent admit to using their cell phone to avoid awkward social interactions. Does this number disgust anyone else? We’re substituting machines for actual human interaction. Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” details the tragedy of people who see shadows of real things and people and ascribe them to actual human experiences. These shadows are the closest they will ever come to the truth. As we get closer to equating texting with actual human interaction, we grow further away from interacting with actual people. “Texting,” as it’s been so aptly named, is void of all emotion (with the “exception” of emoticons :p), and because of this, people often misconstrue the intent of a text message.

Look around right now. I’d be willing to bet any amount of money that your cell phone is within three feet of you. Right?  We’re incubating little electric fetuses that could potentially grow up to take over the world. Not to be an alarmist, but think of how little we do for ourselves anymore. Today we have machines that open doors, flush toilets, regulate our glucose levels, and communicate for us.

We are not so far off from the world described in the Zager and Evans song “In The Year 2525.” In the world of the song, thoughts and feelings are encapsulated in a pill taken in the morning, children are chosen from the bottom of test tubes and people have no need for their jaws or legs because they have machines to walk and talk for them.

Despite these potential technologically induced atrocities, machines have enhanced our lives in many positive ways as well. A Glamour article likened checking Facebook to the stress release from owning a pet (although, doctors said the same thing about cigarettes in 1950…). Machines have allowed for the achievement of previously unimaginable medical progress. Writing papers and conducting research is virtually unthinkable now without the help of computers. We just need to be aware of how much time and energy we invest in electronics. So, when given the option, please open your own door. Don’t let the machines do it for you.