POV: TECH IS ALTERING HUMAN SENSIBILITIES

ARTIFICIAL TO THE TOUCH

Technological advancements, particularly in the fields of digital media, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality, are reshaping human sensibilities in profound ways. These changes occur across various domains, from emotional regulation to sensory processing:

Altered Emotional Responses

The constant exposure to digital media—such as social networks, streaming platforms, and interactive video games—has been linked to heightened emotional sensitivity, shorter attention spans, and increased anxiety. For example, social media platforms provide instantaneous feedback (likes, comments), which can lead to heightened emotional volatility, particularly in younger individuals.

Desensitization to Violence and Trauma

Repeated exposure to violent media content, either in video games or online platforms, can desensitize people to real-life violence or suffering. This phenomenon, studied in psychology and neuroscience, suggests that people may become less emotionally responsive to negative stimuli over time.

Shift in Empathy and Social Interaction

The rise of AI and virtual assistants is also affecting how people engage emotionally. Studies have shown that people are increasingly relying on technology for social interaction (e.g., via chatbots or virtual companions), which can change how they form real-world emotional bonds and express empathy.

Immersive Technologies and Sensory Perception

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies are also transforming sensory experiences. By immersing individuals in entirely artificial environments, these technologies can reshape their understanding of space, reality, and sensory boundaries. Research in neuroscience suggests that extended use of immersive tech can alter the brain’s sensory pathways.

Cognitive and Emotional Fragmentation

Multi-tasking with technology—such as shifting between various apps or platforms—has been shown to fragment cognitive processing, making it harder to maintain attention or emotionally engage deeply with one experience at a time. This constant switching has the potential to create more surface-level emotional experiences, rather than deeper, more sustained ones.

Technology’s rapid evolution is reshaping human sensibilities by altering emotional regulation, sensory processing, and social interaction. These changes are particularly evident in younger generations, who have grown up with ubiquitous digital technologies, influencing the very fabric of how they perceive, feel, and interact with the world.