Argumentative Analysis

Since the beginning of time, humans are constantly attempting to create new forms of technology to make life easier. As time progresses, technology becomes exponentially more advanced. Only one hundred years ago cars were on the cutting edge, today they suggest ideas for fully electric, self-driving cars. Technology not only makes life easier, it also helps save lives. With today’s medical advancements, patients are able to receive organ transplants and countless other procedures. In addition, advanced communication networks allows international business to soar to new levels. Although technology has a many positive aspects, there are several negatives. An increase in technology use in children causes conflict with their social learning abilities.

Societal hierarchy insures that no man is equal, but with technology, this is overridden. In this alternate reality, Parzival is able to achieve the confidence he would not be able to achieve in reality. Here he is able to choose what he looks like, how he sounds initially creating a false image of himself. Technology now allows us to do this by hiding behind a screen. Parzival expresses that “inside the two-dimensional universe, life was simple” (Cline 19). In today’s society people of all ages use devices to shield themselves from awkward social interactions. Gary Small concurs when he says, “We all know the story of kids breaking up with each other through text message. When you have to fire someone or give them bad news, it’s uncomfortable. In face-to-face conversation” (Small 137). Society is slowly losing the ability to confront conflict face to face rather than behind a screen. In the novel, Parzival hates school in “real life”, however, once he enrolls in school in the OASIS he has a new born confidence. No one has to know the real you in the Oasis which allows Parzival to be confident amongst his classmates. He states, “Anonymity was one of the major perks of the OASIS” (Cline

While this can be a good attribute, it can also be used in a destructive manner. For example, cyberbullying allows those without self-confidence to project their insecurities into their weaker counterparts. Unlike conventional means of bullying, media platforms allow for constant, unfiltered insult: “Digital devices offer an ability to immediately and continuously communicate 24 hours a day, so it can be difficult for children experiencing cyberbullying to find relief” (gov). Bullying someone online rather than in person has many hidden consequences. Once something is posted to the internet, it is very hard to remove. This not only hurts the victim of the bully but the bully’s reputation himself. Negative or inappropriate content posted online may harm one’s future: “Most information communicated electronically is permanent and public, if not reported and removed. A negative online reputation, including for those who bully, can impact college admissions, employment, and other areas of life” (Gov). On the other hand, online communication has many