1.1. Outline
the author’s view of the influence of digital communication on people’s lives.
1.1.
Digital communication, led to bad
effect to modern life especially through the internet and smartphones.
Growing up in Dishonesty: Digital communication has
led to an “exponential rise in dishonesty” (line 5). He proves that the
internet’s power makes it easy for people to share misleading or lying
information.
Continuous Connectivity and Work-Life Balance: While admitting
the usefulness of smartphones (lines 9-10), he mentions the downsides: constant
connectivity makes people feel like they can “never leave work” (lines 15-18).
Instead of improving life, he sees it as a source of additional stress and
financial burden (lines 18-22).
Undermining of Truth: The author expresses his deep opinions
about how digital communication has weaken the concept of truth. He describes
truth as becoming “flimsy” (line 25) and harder in an age manipulated by digital
media. The internet bombards people with a massive amount of information, often
manipulated by interest groups, making it almost impossible to separate fact
from fiction (lines 28-34). The author fears that truth, once a central part of
human existence and history, is now lost in a vast “haystack” of
misinformation, making it feel more like a mystery that can never be solved
(lines 33-34).
Echo Chambers and Isolation: He describes how
algorithms create personalized “echo chambers” where people only see
information that reinforces their beliefs, leading to isolated viewpoints
(lines 50-54). This isolation, he believes, results in a divided society with
limited understanding among people.
Overall View: Ultimately, the author suggests that while digital communication offers convenience, it comes at a high cost to honesty, mental health, and social connection (lines 65-68).
1.2. Analyse
how the author presents his opinion.
Irony: The author uses irony to show his criticism,
especially when he jokes about “being fair to inanimate objects” like
smartphones. Here, he is irony, suggesting that people rarely stop to think
critically about the technology they use daily. This tone makes the reader
question whether smartphones and other digital tools are as helpful as they
seem.
Metaphor: He uses the metaphor of a “blizzard of words
and imagery” to show how overwhelming the internet can be. This image of a
chaotic snowstorm suggests that, instead of clarifying the truth, the internet
often confuses people with too much information, making it hard to see what is
real and what is not.
Historical Allusions: To prove his point about the
manipulation of truth, he uses historical events, like how Tudor propagandists
exaggerated the negative image of Richard III. This comparison implies that the
distortion of truth is not new, but that digital media has made it more
powerful and strong.
Personification: The author personalises technology, saying that algorithms “curate” content for users, as they have their own agenda. This makes technology seem more controlling, almost has a personality that influences our decisions and beliefs.