The Future of Computing: Are We Losing Our Senses?
Written on
The Rise of Personal Audio Devices
In recent years, I've observed a growing trend: fewer individuals seem to hear me when I speak. For instance, I’ve stopped saying "On your left" while jogging past pedestrians, as most are engrossed in their earbuds. At grocery stores, more shoppers opt for large, noise-canceling headphones that signal a desire for solitude. Even as a teacher, navigating a hallway filled with students sporting AirPods makes it difficult to determine who is open to conversation.
With the increasing prevalence of high-quality Bluetooth earbuds and their over-ear counterparts, technology—especially portable devices—has begun to take control of many people's auditory experiences. Many teenagers I know wear at least one AirPod throughout the day, seemingly oblivious to the world around them. When teachers request their removal at the start of class, students often react as if they were taken by surprise.
Personally, I can’t criticize too harshly. I often enjoy listening to music or podcasts while performing household chores, and I frequently wear an earbud while cooking or washing dishes. In fact, I’m listening to music on my earbud as I write this. My wife often accurately remarks that it feels like she’s talking to herself half the time, as we regularly find ourselves isolated by our earbuds. After she got her own quality earbuds recently, I too find myself speaking to nobody in particular at times.
Given this backdrop, it seems likely that this trend will only intensify. More individuals will inhabit their own personal soundscapes as they navigate the world. Our devices are increasingly claiming control over our auditory experiences.
The Implications of the Apple Vision Pro
The buzz surrounding the Apple Vision Pro, a $3,500 "face computer," has sparked my reflections on earbuds and their implications. After establishing dominance over our auditory senses, Apple is now aiming for our visual experiences.
While there’s a chance the Apple headset could flop—similar to the way Google Glass did, which was met with skepticism due to its awkward design—some analysts believe Apple may succeed in captivating consumers. Apple has a track record of revitalizing existing technologies and packaging them in attractive, albeit pricey, formats.
Whether or not the Vision Pro will achieve popularity remains uncertain. Initial reviews laud its impressive capabilities, but questions linger about the actual utility of such a device for a $3,500 price tag.
Despite these uncertainties, this headset represents the first augmented and virtual reality technology that makes me consider the potential for mainstream acceptance.
The Hierarchy of Senses
Aristotle categorized human senses in a hierarchy, placing sight above all others, followed by hearing, smell, taste, and touch. While we might debate some of his rankings—such as the prominence of smell—there's little dispute regarding the significance of sight and hearing. Research supports Aristotle’s assertions, revealing that approximately one-third of our brain is dedicated to processing visual information and that a significant portion of our perception of the world is derived from sight.
It's feasible that Apple might one day introduce products aimed at other senses, such as an iTongue Pro or a SmellPod Max. However, these wouldn’t carry the same weight as sight and hearing, which are essential to human experience. What occurs when we allow technology to take over these primary senses?
Potential Consequences of Sensory Domination
If the Vision Pro and its successors gain traction, we could witness a future where individuals spend much of their time with earbuds in and goggles or, as technology evolves, less obtrusive augmented reality glasses. Our devices will act as gateways between us and our surroundings. What implications does this hold?
First, it may further fragment our already limited attention spans. Currently, I experience a slight barrier before engaging with my phone; I must retrieve it, unlock it, and select an app. However, what happens when the process involves merely glancing at an icon and tapping my fingers? With headsets in use, how can individuals compete against software engineers whose primary goal is to capture their attention?
Second, the presence of computers dominating our senses will diminish opportunities for serendipitous encounters and the ability to remain present. I maintain certain rules regarding my earbuds; for instance, I keep them stored while walking my dog, ensuring I remain open to the experience. While this may make the walk feel slightly less exciting, I would miss the delightful sounds of birds singing or the chance for a casual chat with neighbors.
As we permit technology to overwhelm our sensory experiences, we risk becoming less receptive to the real world and the surprises it offers. This trade-off could lead us to prefer predictable stimuli over the sometimes mundane, yet occasionally thrilling, real world. Furthermore, our perpetual detachment may contribute to feelings of alienation and anxiety.
Third, these devices could isolate us from those around us. Earbuds, particularly larger headphones, already convey a sense of antisocial behavior, indicating a desire to disengage from the surrounding world. Apple’s new headset includes innovative features—like displaying projected eyes to nearby individuals—but these devices might only foster ambiguous social interactions.
What social norms will arise for interrupting someone engrossed in their face computer? Will already-lonely individuals gravitate toward these devices to further distance themselves from social connections? Humans are inherently social beings, and our primary means of gathering cues from one another is through sight and hearing. If our ears are consistently blocked and our view partially obscured by technology, feelings of unease and isolation may only grow.
Finally, we must acknowledge that these products are developed by profit-driven corporations that do not necessarily prioritize our well-being. What does it mean to grant Apple or similar companies the ability to insert their content into our visual and auditory experiences? Given the lengths social media companies have gone to for profit, what happens when they can directly influence our senses throughout the day?
While the Vision Pro may indeed be an impressive piece of technology, as claimed by numerous reviewers, I remain concerned. If we surrender our two primary senses—sight and hearing—to our devices, the negative repercussions may outweigh any potential benefits.
The first video titled "Fooling your Senses: (Super-)Natural User Interfaces for the Ultimate Display" delves into the evolution of user interfaces and how they impact our sensory experiences, showcasing innovative technologies that blur the line between digital and physical realities.
The second video, "Scaling the Human: Designing Human Neural-Computer Interfaces," explores the design and implications of neural interfaces, offering insights into the future of human-computer interactions and how they may reshape our sensory engagement with the world.
Thanks for reading! If you'd like to receive an email whenever I publish an article, click here. I’d greatly appreciate your support for my writing, which you can do by buying me a cup of coffee or joining Medium with this link (I’ll receive a portion of your membership fee at no additional cost to you).