Modern Times, Then and Now

‘Controlling one’s behaviors’ is the impact that new technology brings to the Charlie Chaplin character in his film 'Modern Time'. 

In the video, every working procedure is divided into different part; the only thing Charlie needs to do is working very hard and concentrating on his own position. In order to supervising the factory, the boss has used cameras to control his employee. Then every little working step of Charlie is forced to listen to all commands from his boss. So when the boss announces an increase in production speed, every employees need to adjust themselves and catch up with the production process. Even during a short break, he cannot stop the jerky, rhythmic  movements of his nut-tightening - the trauma of work has left him with a nervous tick. (Refer to the following clip)
 

 

[Charlie Chaplin - Factory Work ]

Later, when eating machine is introduced to Charlie’s factory, Charlie is so ‘lucky’ that becomes the first one to use it. Yes, Charlie does not need to use his own hands to do any thing, the machine will feed him and do any thing for him. He literally lies prone on the belt and is dragged, swallowed and eaten up by the whizzing wheels, gears, and cogs of the monstrous machine. His body snakes its way through the gears until the production line's direction is reversed and he finally emerges free of the machine. He has gone completely crazy and insane. (Refer to the following clip)

Is there any similarity between his experience with new technology and ours now?

According to Charlie’s experience, we also can find ourselves dealing with various figures during our life: the government, our boss (employers), property developers, etc. The public policies implemented by the government, the order made by our supervisors and the price controlled by the property developers, all these matters we cannot change but just forced to follow unwillingly. This shows the helpless of today’s society.

Besides, the reactions of Charlie to the working machine just like our response to mobile devices. Nowadays, we keep using our smart phones in any place and any time. For example, when we have lessons or gatherings, we still hold a phone in our hands and keep texting with our friends or searching in Facebook. People may not figure out their behaviors have been changed, but it seems that we lose our control when dealing with mobile phones. Undoubtedly, smart phones have become part of our lives now.