Unit 1 Curated Source Collection

 

First Source

How Tech Creates a ‘Recipe for Loneliness’

Analysis

My first source is a New York Times article titled "How Tech Creates a ‘Recipe for Loneliness’." The article explores how researchers have found a strong link between technology use and loneliness, exacerbated by our interactions on social media, texting, and binge-watching. It highlights a consensus among scholars studying social media, technology, and psychology: “While there was no definitive proof that tech directly makes people lonely, there was a strong correlation between the two.” The article delves into multiple studies that survey teenagers and other groups, many of which reached similar conclusions.

What stood out to me was that this article does not blame teenagers or Generation Z for their loneliness—something that other authors might use as a scapegoat. Instead, it focuses on how technology influences user behavior, leading to negative social tendencies like anxiety and FOMO (fear of missing out). Simply viewing what others post can have a profound psychological impact. The article’s ethos-driven approach, supported by thorough surveys and recent research, makes it a compelling read. By layering information about social media’s effects, the author clearly articulates how social loneliness has become a growing epidemic in today’s digital culture.

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Second Source

The Social Network (2010) – Directed by David Fincher

Analysis

My second source is the 2010 film The Social Network, directed by David Fincher. Set in the early 2000s, it follows a young Mark Zuckerberg and details how he founded Facebook—and the enemies he made along the way. I find this film fascinating because Zuckerberg’s story is still unfolding, meaning the film’s portrayal of him—particularly during this pivotal moment in his life—continues to evolve.

The creation of Facebook fundamentally changed how we communicate. As one of the first large-scale social media platforms, Facebook’s influence on popular culture and daily life cannot be overstated. Early in the movie, we see Zuckerberg posting on his personal blog, but after launching Facebook, we see how quickly users describe it as "addictive." He no longer blogs, and people now say, "Facebook me." This shift in digital behavior reflects how the platform started shaping everyday interactions.

What began as a college networking tool quickly evolved into a multi-billion-dollar industry, influencing political elections, job markets, and global communication. Social media platforms like Facebook have transformed smartphones into not just communication tools but entertainment hubs, designed to keep users engaged for as long as possible. The Social Network brilliantly expands on this idea, illustrating how technology has reshaped human interaction. The way we communicate—whether through texting, blogging, or calling—has changed dramatically over the last few decades, for better or worse.

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Third Source

How Social Media is Changing How You Talk (TED Talk) – Adam Aleksic

Analysis

My third source is a TED Talk titled "How Social Media is Changing How You Talk," presented by Adam Aleksic. In this talk, Aleksic explores the etymology behind modern slang and how social media algorithms influence the words we use. Unlike slang from previous generations, today’s trending words—such as “rizz” or the “-core” suffix—gain popularity not only through cultural shifts but through algorithmic reinforcement.

Social media platforms prioritize engagement, and because of this, using certain words or phrases can inflate view counts and user impressions. As a result, these words unconsciously become part of everyday language. Additionally, content is categorized through hyper-compartmentalized labels, which algorithms use to tailor recommendations. Aleksic explains that social media encourages users to identify with these specific labels, feeding them more of the same content to keep them engaged.

I find TED Talks like this fascinating because they shed light on subtle but significant changes in everyday experiences. In this case, social media and technology have fundamentally altered how newer generations communicate. The language we use—and even the words we choose not to use—is increasingly influenced by the algorithms that shape our online interactions.

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Fourth Source

A Pencil Shop, for Texting the Old-Fashioned Way – New York Times

Analysis

My fourth source is a New York Times article titled "A Pencil Shop, for Texting the Old-Fashioned Way," written by Molly Young. The article explores a unique store that exclusively sells pencils and pencil-related items, run by a 24-year-old entrepreneur. The shop stands out not only for its wide selection of specialty pencils but also for its affordable pricing, attracting a diverse customer base.

One particularly interesting quote from the article comes from a customer who had just purchased a mint-condition pencil from the 1950s for $5:
“How often can you buy a functional thing from the 1950s in mint condition for $5?”

Tying this back to our class inquiry, the idea of opening a shop centered around a declining medium—handwriting and pencils—seems unusual. In today’s digital age, where technology is dominant, choosing to write by hand instead of typing offers a different, more deliberate experience. Writing by hand can be therapeutic, allowing time for reflection, whereas typing is faster but less personal.

This shift highlights an interesting cultural loss. Once-standard practices, like handwriting, are disappearing, along with our connection to historical figures who relied on them, such as Booth Tarkington and John Steinbeck. As the tools we use evolve, so too does the way we express ourselves, for better or for worse.