Unit 1 Post

In the article titled Social Capital and Health in a Digital Society, Sharif (2002) states that social capital is imperative because it brings a greater sense of community and results in better health outcomes. Also, according to Sharif, social capital has declined due to the advancement of technology such as the internet (p.31). In my opinion, it is true that in the present day, people spend a lot of their time using the internet, but I do not completely agree with Sharif in that technology has had a complete negative impact on social capital and people’s health. I believe technology including the internet can be used to increase social capital because it permits people to communicate with one another on a more global scale. The internet provides various services including e-mail, instant messaging, facebook, and creating websites, which have brought friends, families, and other individuals closer together. I came across another article titled The Influence of New Communication Technologies on Undergraduate Preferences for Social Capital Formation, Maintenance, and Expenditure. In this article, the authors state that people viewed instant messaging and e-mailing as a “medium for establishing new relationships, especially among those geographically distant” (Kennan, et al. 2008, p. 7). In other words, the internet can serve as another mode of communication between two different individuals, groups, communities, and nations. Also, I find it interesting when Sharif mentions how studies have shown that low social capital is related to higher levels of heart disease, cancer, infant mortality, and homicide (p.31). In my opinion, it is not that simple because other factors contribute to high levels of heart disease and cancer patients. For example, heart disease and cancer can be the result of people making poor diet choices or they suffer from lack of sleep, lack of exercise and stress. Also, homicide can be the result of people having personal issues or conflicts with one another. Therefore, you cannot completely blame technology and the internet as the primary reason why homicide and poor health exists in America. Besides, people can actually try to improve their health by getting information through the internet and they have the ability to join online groups or have access to individuals (across the globe) who can help them with their health or medical related issue. Also, Sharif claims that the internet has forced people to become more isolated and apathetic towards one another (p. 33). I do not find this to be completely true because numerous Americans use the internet as a way of socializing and maintaining contact with a larger network of people. In addition, I truly feel that people can use the internet as a way of seeking information and exchanging valuable advice. Also, according to Kennen et al. (2008), individuals can use the “vast informational internet resources in order to seek and plan ways of becoming more involved in offline communities” (p.4). In other words, the internet does not necessarily stop people from participating in community services. Instead Americans can utilize the internet as a way to find out more information on how to become a volunteer for healthcare organizations or how to become more involved in religious or political organizations. Furthermore, it is difficult for me to think of a specific type of technology that might have a negative influence on social capital and health. To me, the problem is not so much with technology itself. Instead it is the way people use and manipulate technology that determines whether it has a positive or negative affect on society. For example, people might say that guns and nuclear weapons have a negative affect on social capital because it isolates people from one another, it creates hostility between nations, and more importantly it increases mortality rates. However, others might believe in the old saying that “Guns do not kill people. People kill people” (Anonymous). Therefore, in my opinion, you cannot completely criticize technology for having a negative impact on society. Instead, it is more the type of actions and decisions that people make that will determine the outcome of social capital and health.
As for the Bardzell et al. article, the authors talk about the ADDIE Model, which was used to create a distance learning environment for a graduate course in pubic health. To me, the most interesting aspect of the article is how the team was able to design a course that combined the use of the internet, multimedia CD, and face-to-face interaction (p. 28-29). Most of the time students are used to attending class, listening to lectures, and taking notes. However, nowadays, students have become more open towards the idea of participating in a distance learning environment. I really like how the instructors were able to create a balance between using technology and employing face-to-face interaction, which goes to show that both methods can be used to enhance a person’s learning ability.
Overall, I believe that getting rid of technology such as the internet is not the answer for resolving the decline in social capital. Instead we must all see how technology and the internet can be viewed as a positive method for enhancing social capital. Maybe we can all try to create a balance between using technology and applying face-to-face interactions in order to help increase social capital.

References
Bardzell, S. et al. “A Model of Integrating Technology and Learning in Public Health Education.” pp. 26-32.
Kennen W. et al. “The Influence of New Communication Technologies on Undergraduate Preferences for Social Capital Formation, Maintenance, and Expenditure.” Public Relations Journal, Spring 2008, 2(2).
Sharif, B.A. “Social Capital and Health in a Digital Society.” The Health Educator, Spring 2007, 39(1).