Technology Topic: Essay 2

Assignment for February 13, 2008: Write a blog that introduces your TQR.

Topic - Remember that the topic needs to be related to technology in some way. In your blog, briefly describe your topic.
My topic of concern for my essay is the influence of technology on relationships. I am interested in this topic and I am hoping to discover whether technology enhances or hinders a relationship.


Question - Follow the qualifications listed on pp. 456-57 to ensure your question is researchable. In your blog, share your question and why you think it is a researchable question.
Question: Does modern-day technology enhance or hinder a relationship (and/or does it do both)?

Is it the right size?
I believe that this topic is not too specific, nor too large. It concentrates relationships specifically in the general scope of technology.

Has something already been said about it?
I have done some searching and have found plenty of valid sources and available information on this particular topic. Eharmony is an online dating sight, and I may want to include this in my paper of technology and the effect it has on relationships.

Does it raise more questions?
I believe that I will have extended inquiry on this topic, especially when I begin my research. I am sure that I will come across different types of technology and the effect it has on different types of relationships: family, spousal, friendships, business, etc. I may even want to narrow my topic depending on my research ability.

Does it matter?
I believe that this information will be interesting and relevant to other people too. I believe it will ask the readers to inquire about their personal relationships and the effect of the technology (directly or indirectly) on their relationships.

Rationale - Think about why you are interested in this topic. In your blog, reflect on why you want to research this topic (or answer this question), what you hope/want to get out of your research, and how your question matters.
I am interested in this topic because I have personal stories that I can relate to. My brother lives overseas in England, and I only get to see him in person once every year during Christmas. If I had no way to communicate with him, I believe it would be difficult to maintain a personal relationship with him. Whether it be with a letters (paper and pens are considered technology, right?), or the telephone, or seeing him over skype (a computer technology that uses a camera, so you can see the other person being talked to); I am able to communicate and maintain contact and conversation. But, I am also curious to research whether technology can hurt or hinder a relationship. With advanced cell phones, computers, and internet access; I believe that people can get carried away and use their quality time with technology that would be spent with the significant other if technology were not present. This question matters to people in modern day society because it would make people think about their priorities and, hopefully, be more aware of their relationships and how technology may influence a relationship.