6/12: Reaping Technology’s Benefits?
June 12, 2009 by Marist Poll
Filed under Daily Life, Featured, Science & Tech, Tech Box
60% of Americans, including 63% of employed residents, report that, overall, technology makes the quality of their lives better. 34% say it makes no difference, and just 6% think it makes their lives worse.
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That number jumps when asked specifically about work. 69% of employed residents say technology makes their job easier while 25% report it makes no difference at all, and 6% think it makes their work life worse. Those who make more annually believe technology has a greater impact. 81% say it makes their job easier. Although a majority — 56% – of employed residents earning less than $50,000 a year agree, nearly four in ten — 39% — think it makes no difference.
When it comes to leisure activities, Americans divide. 45% say technology makes the amount of time they spend on things they enjoy better while 42% believe it makes no difference at all. Only 13% report it makes things worse.
What about technology’s impact on personal relationships? Does it make a difference? 30% of U.S. residents say technology makes their relationships better while 11% think it has a negative impact. Nearly six in ten — 59% — believe it makes no difference at all.
Table: Technology/Quality of Life
Table: Technology/Job at Work
Table: Technology/Things You Enjoy
Table: Technology/Personal Relationships
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The time you spend on the computer is time that you are not spending in a (real-world) personal relationship. It would be interesting to know how many hours a week the population sits facing a monitor. At a guess, the overall effect of computing is a decrease in social interaction.