Although technology has been continuously advancing every year, Apple’s new Vision Pro is a step in the wrong direction.
Starting at nearly $3500, the Apple Vision Pro is a pair of high-tech goggles that blend the digital world with reality. Instead of pressing buttons on a screen, users navigate through applications, pages, videos and more with just their eyes, hands and voice. This never-before-seen level of convenience appears to be more innovative on the surface but is detrimental to our society as a whole, posing as not only a significant safety risk but also a threat to the future of humanity.
Addiction is fueled by convenience. When there is little resistance between an individual and their desired action, the likelihood of going through said action increases significantly. Conversely, if there is friction–or if obstacles stand in the way of the action from taking place– he or she will be much less likely to do it. For instance, a candy lover is a lot more likely to eat candy if it is readily available, compared to if it is hidden away in a tall, unreachable cabinet.
Since the Apple Vision Pro is so convenient to use in almost every setting, it isn’t bold to assume that people will become heavily addicted to it. Soon enough, people will use it to mindlessly browse social media, watch videos and play games while doing everyday tasks such as walking or even driving. This poses a significant safety hazard to the public, serving as a constant distraction that reduces spatial awareness and increases susceptibility to injury.
What’s more worrying about this addiction is the significant harm that it poses to the youth’s mental health. With the rise of screens, more and more young people have become addicted to their phones and computers, often closing themselves off from friends and family. Addiction to these devices will not only limit social interaction but also worsen social anxiety in people, as an easily accessible, endless stream of entertainment will only lead to a further decline in face-to-face interactions. In response to their heavy dependence on these devices, individuals frequently retreat into virtual and digital worlds.
This has already begun to happen in some countries, like Japan, where there have been over half a million instances of hikikomori, or total social withdrawal. These people seclude themselves in their rooms, to consume digital content all day long. The Apple Vision Pro will exacerbate this problem even more on a global scale, as it further deteriorates the barrier that stops the urge to sit around and consume entertainment all day.
As technology becomes more innovative and exposure to immersive digital experiences increases, people will become inclined to opt for virtual interactions instead of physical ones, blurring the world of fantasy and reality. If action isn’t taken now, there is no doubt that the temptation to escape into the virtual utopia as a means of avoiding the challenges of the real world will lead to the creation of a mindless and more dystopian society.
