#23 Final Topic Selection

FINAL TOPIC SELECTION:

MY ESSENTIAL QUESTION/QUESTIONS:

How has technology led to a decrease in monogamous relationships as it relates to sex?

How has technology changed societies view on sex?

How are authentic relationships/intimacy developed and maintained in the face of science/technology?

MY FINAL TOPIC SELECTION AND WHY I CHOSE IT/BNW CONNECTION:

Relationships are a part of belonging in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and technology has given easier access for people to connect and participate in non-demanding, online relationships. As a society, the perception of our peers has led to a desensitization of the topic of sex and the idea of promiscuity. Research has proven that adolescent use of technology has led to an increase in sexual behaviors, in everything from the easy access to pornography to the influence of images over social media. When students are exposed to raunchy images of peers, they are more likely to admit to their own promiscuity In The Influence of Social Networking Photos on Social Norms and Sexual Health Risks, Sean Young explains the images have an a “potential power… to affect health behaviors by altering perceptions of peer norms” . In terms of relationships, technology can be seen as having both a positive and negative effects. When the couple is apart, they report that technology is beneficial for communication. However, The Impact of Technology on Couple Relationships states that “The Internet has the potential to blur the boundaries between online social relationships and face-to-face relationships” which can reduce the significance of personal relationships. It is also reported that when significant others are together, it is reported that technology can actually be damaging to a relationship through a lack of interpersonal relationships. The idea of online relationships can directly influence a person’s concept of self and their idea of courtship and intimacy.

This connects to BNW because they do not have monogamous relationships in a world filled with technology; while on the Savage reservation there is a marriage and a belief in the sanctity of a relationship. This is a huge struggle for John, with his feelings for Lenina and her inability to fully understand the love that John has for her because of the hynopædia.

QUOTE FROM TEXT	ICEBERG VIEW OF CULTURE	MASLOW’S HIERARCHY	PERSUASIVE TECHNIQUE (WHERE RELEVANT)
“There was also monogamy and romance…[now] everyone belongs to everyone else” (40)	concept of relationships and intimacy	Part of belonging by allowing everyone to be a part of this
“She thinks of herself that way. She doesn’t mind being meat” (93)	concept of self concept of beauty	Concept of belonging and a lack of self-actualization
“nobody’s supposed to belong to more than one person” (121)	dependency on another person concept on intimacy	belonging and self-esteem
“In silence, and from a long way off, but violently, desperately, hopelessly, he had loved Kiakime” (135)	Concepts of love Societies views on love	John feels a lack of belonging in the Savage Reservation
“In Malpais people get married….They make a promise to live together for always” (191)	Concepts of family Commitment courtship practices	Belonging to another person and family
“Put your arms round me….hug me til you drug me, honey” (193)	courtship practices	idea of self-esteem for Lenina
“ ‘O thou weed, who are so lovely fair and smell’st so sweet that the sense aches at thee. Was this most goodly book made to write ‘whore’ upon?’ “ (195)	concept of modesty concept of love idea of smells	Safety and belonging are harmed as his friend betrays him
Beauty is attractive, and we don’t want people to be attracted by old things” (219)	concept of beauty	idea of self-esteem and constantly searching for a new beauty
I don’t want comfort. I want God, I want poetry, I want real danger, I want freedom, I want goodness. I want sin” (240)	religious practices concept of self	attempting to reach self actualization