New habits

We live in a society with constant innovations in multimedia technology that have created new habits in our daily, personal, work, and social lives, providing new ways to expand technical knowledge and personal relationships. Computers and cell phones are now used by people of every age, although the great majority of users are young. Cellphones have many important advantages: you can stay in contact with others and also use it like a small computer with countless apps. For many, the cellphone has become almost an extension of their hand, something they simply can’t do without. Some people (especially young people) even suffer from nomophobia if they don’t have their phones. Nomophobia derives from the combination of “no-mo,” meaning “no-mobile,” and “phobia,” the Greek word for fear. The condition can cause panic attacks; the device can generate a wide range of psychological effects, such as including or “deleting” people without having to deal with them personally; remaining updated or excluding yourself by living in a virtual reality; being yourself or imagining (or making others imagine) someone you are not. Likewise, the concept of time and the way it is lived are changed: “everything right now” has exceeded or eliminated the concept of “waiting.” There are numerous pros and cons for a small but important object created as a simple pocket telephone. How do you use it?

 

TEST

 

1) Your co-workers make fun of anyone who has never taken a plane; you have never flown

a) you say so openly

b) pretend you have flown

c) talk about something else

 

2) You’re walking in a park

a) you hope to meet people

b) you enjoy nature

c) you think about your obligations

 

3) The word “cup” makes you think about

a) coffee

b) trophy

c) mug

 

4) At school it’s prohibited to use cellphones in classrooms

a) it’s right

b) it limits freedom

c) they use them anyway

 

5) You’re forced to take a refresher course on a subject you know little about; you think

a) it’s useful

b) it’s useless

c) it makes no difference

 

6) You’re taking the refresher course; compared to your co-workers, on the final exam you’ll do

a) better

b) like them

c) worse

 

7) They tell you that some friends badmouthed you

a) you badmouth them

b) you ask them why

c) you don’t believe it

 

8) You proposed a project to your boss, but after a week he hasn’t answered you

a) he’s too busy

b) he didn’t like your project

c) he’s intentionally ignoring you

 

9) Your child got a low mark because he got caught copying on a test

a) the teacher is too strict

b) he was unlucky to get caught

c) he shouldn’t have copied

 

10) These days, there’s more value in

a) appearance

b) abilities

c) knowledge

 

11) The word “plant” makes you think of

a) tree

b) deposit

c) shrub

 

12) They ask you news about an important event that you didn’t attend

a) you find out and pretend to have attended

b) say you attended and invent what might have happened

c) say you didn’t attend

 

13) You suspect that your partner is cheating on you

a) you talk about it together

b) you think your doubts are exaggerated

c) check more closely

 

14) The word “field” makes you think of

a) farmland

b) sports ground

c) math

 

15) The projects that depend on you

a) you do but finish only a few

b) you do and finish many

c) you don’t do any

 

SCORE

 

Question A B C

 

1) 1 3 2
2) 2 1 3

3) 1 3 2

4) 1 3 2
5) 3 1 2

6) 3 2 1

7) 3 1 2

8) 1 2 3

9) 3 2 1

10) 2 1 3

11) 2 3 1

12) 2 3 1

13) 2 1 3

14) 2 1 3

15) 3 2 1

 

People texting on their phones

 

 

EXPLANATION

45 to 36 POINTS:

YOU STARE AT YOUR PHONE

Your phone is really part of you. You use it very often and for many reasons. Socials, chats, apps fill your phone and your life. At times, waiting for a double tick, a reply, a like for a message you sent, can be a source of anxiety and bitterness. Try to have other interests, go out, be in the company of real and not just virtual people.

 

 

35 to 25 POINTS:

IT’S A TOOL; USEFUL, BUT JUST A TOOL

You acknowledge its usefulness, and you use it with adequate logic and emotions. When you’re busy with other things and you hear it ring, you don’t run to check the messages because you think “there’s life” beyond your phone. You decide how and how much to use it, and you believe you know how to use it correctly.

 

24 to 15 POINTS:

SUSPICION OR REFUSAL

You prefer direct contact with people because you think it’s the best or only form of communication possible. You may also be afraid that you don’t know how to use the necessary technology, and make mistakes that may put you at risk or violate your privacy. If you learn more about it, certain fears may decrease or vanish, and you may be able to use a cellphone more calmly.

 

 

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