University:
Georgia Southern University
Course:
ENGL 1102 | Composition II
Academic year:

2024
Views:

78

Pages:

2
Author:

Jalen W.

‭Dr. Lively‬ ‭ENGL 1102 B‬ ‭Fall 2022‬ ‭Selecting a Representative Artifact of Early 21st Century Culture‬ ‭In selecting an item from the early 21st century to encapsulate its cultural essence for‬ ‭future generations, one cannot overlook the ubiquitous smartphone. This compact device, with‬ ‭its multifaceted functionalities, epitomizes the technological advancements, societal shifts, and‬ ‭cultural norms of its era. The smartphone serves not merely as a communication tool but as a‬ ‭portal to a vast digital world, embodying the interconnectedness and information age ethos of the‬ ‭time. Its significance lies not only in its practical utility but also in its symbolic representation of‬ ‭the rapid pace of technological innovation and the ever-evolving relationship between humanity‬ ‭and digital technology.‬ ‭The smartphone's inclusion in a time capsule would offer future generations a tangible‬ ‭link to the early 21st century's ethos, providing insights into the era's communication patterns,‬ ‭entertainment preferences, and technological dependence. Its compact design belies its immense‬ ‭impact on society, shaping behaviors, social interactions, and even cognitive processes.‬ ‭Moreover, the smartphone encapsulates broader cultural phenomena such as the rise of social‬ ‭media, the democratization of information, and the blurring of boundaries between public and‬ ‭private spheres. Thus, by selecting the smartphone as the quintessential artifact of the early 21st‬ ‭century, we not only preserve a piece of history but also offer future generations a window into‬ ‭the transformative forces that shaped our contemporary world.‬