About the Site

Technology is an ever-present part of daily life.  From simple appliances to complex information and communication systems, over the course of the last 100 years or so, the world has developed a deep relationship with a wide variety of tools and devices that only seems to be growing deeper.  Since technology is created with the objective of helping humans and improving their quality of life, it is important to monitor how well that objective is being met.  A good place to start doing this is through critical analysis and conversation, which is what this site hopes to contribute.

The objective of Psybertronic is to be a blog and forum for exploring the interaction between technology, psychology and society and any topic that fits into this overarching theme is welcome for inclusion, such as artificial intelligence, Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), video games, marketing and advertising, social media, etc. 

This blog will also be about urbanism and placemaking – the act of creating places in the built environment where people can gather and socialize. This is because our problematic attachment to technology can often be attributed to the fact that we use devices to satisfy needs that our real environment does not, such as our needs for socialization and stimulation. It can even be argued that people’s dependence on technology is a result of insufficient opportunities for connection and diversion in the real world. Therefore to improve our relationship with technology, as well as our overall well-being, we must address the shortcomings of our built environment.

About Me 

I have a PhD in psychology and am a published researcher on the subject of how technology and psychology interact. I study how people use ICTs such as smartphones, social media and the Internet, and how that use influences their psychological well-being and society at large.  My research has led me to the understanding that much of problematic ICT use can be traced to a lack of social opportunities and stimulation in the built environment, therefore I also write on the subject of placemaking and urban planning/design. Thank you for reading.

My academic publications can be found here.