by Marcy Buzzelli

Created on: October 17, 2009

If you have been to a Scout campout recently, you know that not all of society has become controlled by technology. Be they Boy or Girl Scouts, S'mores are still being made with graham crackers, Hershey bars, and marshmallows, and they are still being cooked over a campfire built with sticks and twigs gathered from nearby woods. The age-old question is still asked, "Do you like your marshmallow burnt or just lightly toasted?" Mind you, the campers are very savvy about current technology and probably have their cell phones or iPods hidden in their camping gear for use later in the evening when the troop leader has fallen asleep from exhaustion.

Technology has not taken over the ghost tales that are told as the embers die out in the campfire. The usual school banter about who has the best football team still can be heard as the evening winds to a close. There may be some technological intrusions, though, as a few campers surreptitiously check their facebook or twitter accounts to stay in touch with their 500 closest facebook "friends." In no way is the evening controlled by technology, rather it is simply adding a new dimension to the typical tall tales being shared around a campfire.

These same Scouts when they return to their own homes, will most certainly race to the computer to check their email account or a favorite online game, but they also will take their dog for a walk, or harass their older sister who is trying out a new hair style. Not every minute of every day in their lives is controlled by technology, although it certainly plays a role. No one will argue that technology plays a major part today in how society functions, but not everything that is enjoyable needs a mouse or a remote.

A cell phone, TV, and the Internet are all new ways that communications are shared and rapidly passed around the world. Social networking sites like Twitter make it quick and easy to spread news around the school, the neighborhood, or the world. All of these new connections are fantastic and add pleasure to our lives. No one wants to go back to smoke signals or Morse code, for communicating with others. No one wants to give up the TV for watching the news unfold around the world. Technology may bring people together and make lives more pleasant, but nothing will ever replace some very non-technological moments. When lovers share that first romantic kiss, communication is at its best, and no technology is needed.

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