Wake up. Turn off the alarm. Check Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat. Check the weather. Get ready. Text your friends.
For many, that’s how an ordinary day begins. For some, that’s primarily what their day consists of. Freshmen are staring down art slides to cram for the next humanities exams via PowerPoint. Seniors are desperately searching for jobs and graduate schools via the Internet. Regardless, technology in 2018 impacts lives in ways that have never been seen before. Bring in Dr. Doreen Dodgen-Magee.
Dodgen-Magee is a licensed psychologist based in Portland, Ore. She travels internationally, where she speaks on the immense amount of research she has done on how technology influences the brain and interpersonal relationships. When it comes to finding inspiration for her talks, it comes easily to her.
“I have an undying love for people. I want people to be more human, and technology is our easiest way out of that quirkiness,” Dodgen-Magee said. “I want people to learn there’s so much more than that.”
Recently, Dodgen-Magee’s research has been turned into a book into which she has poured her heart and soul. The book, entitled “Deviced!: Balancing Life and Technology in a Digital World,” is both relevant and enticing.
“Reviews have said that (the book) is very people-affirming and does not shame technology use,” Dodgen-Magee said, adding that it was hard to balance the two in the book, as research shows the addictive qualities of technology, yet it is such a beautiful part of everyday life.
If there’s one thing that Dodgen-Magee wants college students to take away from her week here at Milligan, it’s to think about violence and sexuality in the media.
“Be thoughtful about the platforms you engage with that highlight violence and sexuality,” she said. “Only engage with these platforms in the way that these platforms think about themselves and others.”
All in all, Dodgen-Magee asks simply one thing from the attendees: Ask difficult questions of yourself about how you choose to tune out from the world.
“I know my time at Milligan is going to be my best yet,” Dodgen-Magee said. “I love that there are spaces on campus where I can hang out with students.”
In addition to speaking in convocation and chapel, Dodgen-Magee will have a “Powered Off Zone” in SUB 7 from 1–5:30 this afternoon. At this time, Dodgen-Magee will provide a time to tune out the world in a brand new way, through crafts, puzzling and more, all while keeping the technology away for a little bit.
