World War Zero

Sixty years ago the fear of an atomic bomb exploding in the world created chaos and uncertainty. American children learned to hide under their desks at schools to protect themselves against radiation. Russians, on the other hand, were brained washed to condemn Western cultures and subordinated to their dictator. The Cold War in the 1950’s seemed to fast forward the end of the world; however, humanity prevailed. Now, the end of the world has been proclaimed close again, and this time the war isn't fought with nuclear strength, but with codes in zeroes and ones in technology. Modern minds allude to technological advancements as life savers and comfort providers, while, critics condemn the extend of their influence in society. Technology is a threat to humanity because its has installed dependency and is slowly controlling human behavior.

New generations, and a few more born in the late twentieth century, cannot picture their lives without technology. This advancement has symbolized, as Columbia Law School Professor, Tim Wu, would say “ a mechanism to keep humanity on track ” (Wu, 3). This mechanism has granted many people with the opportunity to see, hear, talk, and even walk when doctors would have sworn they were defeated. Technology has helped the Medicine profession prevent and fight diseases that killed thousands of people in the pre-modern times. In his article, "As Technology Gets Better", Will Society Get Worse?" , Wu defends technological advancements blaming the user for the bad connotations that it has. He proclaims that “the problem with technological evolution is that it is under our control, and unfortunately, we don’t always make the best decisions” (Wu 3). Wu, as the majority of the new generations, see the advancements in technology as a way to improve, expand, and condition human life if used responsibly.

Technological advancements have an opposite symbolism for opponents of such evolution. The more critical person argues that technology has done nothing but diminished the way human brains’ works. Nicholas Carr, a recognized author to The Atlantic, The New York Times, and The New Yorker, has gained his fame through harsh criticism of human engagement with new technology. In one of his articles, "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" , Carr emphasizes the biological consequence of being dependent on technology and the way society has adapted to the changes. Carr quotes from personal experience, “ I feel as if I’m, always dragging my wayward brain to the text , “ when, “writing e-mails, scanning headlines and blog posts, watching videos and listening to podcast, or just tipping from link to link.” ( Carr , 2). In his argument,, technology has made humans inpatient and less critical thinkers because they expect information to be grated and easily accessed as a computer do. Biologically speaking, according to James Olds, Neuroscience professor at George Mason University, the brain adapts to changes and accommodates to whatever new input it is exposed to (Carr, 8). The more expose to technology and the more dependent of it humans become , the more their brains adapt allowing technology to reprogram humanity in every sense (Carr, 5).

Technology is essentially a tool that humans themselves have created and society must learn to set the limits for it’s usage. The extend of technological advancements are immense from being able to set an alarm clock at night, to talking navigation maps on automobiles, and precise surgical hands that can save a life. Technology is a beauty, but as Nicholas Carr points out in his article, “The internet, an immeasurably powerful computing system, is subsuming most of our other intellectual technologies” (Carr, 5). Society is completely based on technology and humans have left aside things such as text reading for eBooks, libraries for online search engines, and even walking for cars. The human mind has adapted to work less. People are less patient in every aspect of their lives because technology has taught them that if they do not get a new screen up or at least a downloading icon, that means something is wrong. Children begin to experiment with their parents cell phones and tablets long before they learn how to read in school. The majority of adolescents find the need to be logged in and check their Snapchats, Facebooks, Twitter, or Instagrams every five minutes to look for updates. Even the educated are subject of the technological invasion. Most professionals send daily emails to colleagues, probably sitting in the room next door, to communicate.

Technology has diminished the whole purpose of living. Sitting in front of a monitor is not fun. Most people live attached to their cell phones everywhere they go. Workplaces, schools, and even churches have to remind people to turn off their devices during such times to prevent distractions. Human kind cannot live under this pressure. It is true that technology is the greatest advancement of all times, but it is also true that this advancement is slowing erasing human quality. Do not be surprised to encounter a robot welcoming people into a hospital emergency room, or a having a professor Skype students from Italy for morning lecture. Technological advancements have been human best friends since the printing press was created; however, they can easily become society’s worst enemies once they begin to control and direct human behavior.

Equally Aliens

About 320 million “aliens” currently reside in the United States (US Census). They are everywhere. Around the corners, driving, attending universities, working, and even roaming the halls of the White House. These “aliens” have made the United States States their homeland since the 18th century and have paradoxically created a “land of the free”. By the turn of the 21st century, immigration became a crucial issue in American politics. In 2001, the Unites States border patrol was reinforced and deportation rates increased by the year. In 2010, President Obama signed Differed Action for Childhood Arrivals, and in 2014, he signed another deportation waiver for American citizens’ parents. Immigration is the issue we all see and fail to accept: it is the issue that can be solved through amnesty potentially creating great economical input and adding to the cultural diversity the United States posses. Democrats fight for immigration stability and uphold the financial uplift an amnesty will create in the country. Republicans, on their side, counter argue the fiscal burden of supporting the new American citizens fearfully watching how their nation’s purity diminishes by the daily influence of many different cultures migrating.

Ed Butowsky, owner of a private investment and financial advisory firm for wealthy individuals, noticeable economics critic , and political extremist, recently spoke out against amnesty and its cost to the Unites States. Butowsky blames the 5 million immigrants who qualify for amnesty, under certain restrictions, for $70 billion of our current national deficit. He calculated a $24,000 individual immigrant cost with a minimal $10,000 contribution each. He argue that amnesty will not fix the problem of immigration because it is so much more expensive to have this population legalized in the country and having to pay a quote for them adding up to our already $18 trillion national debt (Ed Butowsky, “We cannot afford amnesty for illegal immigrants” ).

However, immigrants under amnesty will be tracked down. They will be taken into account during yearly revenue calculations and pay more taxes than what they already do. More of these immigrants will be able to build credit and buy houses adding to tax paying revenues and diminishing the current housing crisis. Illegal immigrants will be able to pay any amount of money they previously owe to the country because all their debts will show up when applying for legalization. Applicants will also pay processing fees if amnesty was to be granted. Those who qualify will pay for immigration processes, including fingerprints and paper work, lawyer services to safely file for benefits, and any other additional requirements to prove their legitimacy as a resident in the country. Now multiply that by three, four, five, or even six family members in just one household in the nation.

Immigration has a solution and we all know it. It is time to give illegal immigrants the opportunity to strive for a better life. Americans must leave aside the wrong connotations that the word “immigrant” or “alien” contain. They should not be afraid of others not looking or acting like thems because this country is a timeless melting pot. Nicholas Kristof, op-ed columnist for The New York Times, warns of the “illegal parasites” that will contribute, through a legalization, to “$45 billion over five years in payroll taxes”. He comments on the erratic perspectives of current American citizens that feel at threat by undocumented immigrants because they are an “echo of the anxiety” that arises from living among different people (Nicholas Kristof, “Immigration Enriches You and Me” ). The daily citizen is not scared of terrorism, or that their neighbor, who is not an “American”, might secretly plot a destructive genocide in major cities. They are scared, truly terrified, of that same neighbor assimilating to their lifestyle, bringing with new customs and traditions from their own countries, and putting at risk the “American purity” they wish to conserve.

Legalization of illegal immigrants is a matter of agreement. Politicians know that immigration cannot be controlled because it has never been controlled at all in U.S history. The pilgrims opened up the way to newcomers to the United States, other Europeans followed, Asians continued, and now Latin American populations have rushed to have a share of this marvelous country as well. This nation resembles an ice cold water bottle in the middle of the desert. When an immigrants feels distorted in their own country they look for options to survive. They seek this water bottle in isolation and dryness. The United States is the last resort any immigrant has. They just don’t wake up one day and plan their travel across oceans, violent countries, and dry lands to arrive in the U.S and rest under a fresh Florida palm.

Amnesty is the solution to the immigration problem. Like or not, immigration will continue to happen in the United States. The United States is the promising land many people dream of. This nation wanted to proudly and fiercefully spread their “White Supremacy” during the imperialist era and the same one that becomes so patriotic during war times. This the land where people help each other in need, fight for human rights around the globe, and land a helping hand during disasters. The United States is the home of the brave, but not so much the land of the free. Eleven millions undocumented people reside in the country trapped by erratic connotations and fighting against their own cultures influences in order to become part of a society that rejects them. Amnesty will not erased the pain immigrants undergo in their pursuit of a better life traveling to the United States, but it sure will help them feel safe in the nation they have grown roots in and form families.