A community that I personally value and hold near to heart is my little hometown of Rockport, Massachusetts. With an estimated year-round population of 6500, I definitely grew up in a close-knit community in which I am grateful for. Not only am I grateful for the community, but also the amazing outdoors I have surrounding. I am fortunate enough to have access to both the beach and deep woods. One of my favorite places to go in the summer is Steel Derrick. Steel Derrick is a quarry that was mined out back when there was a huge granite industry happening in town. I have been told multiple times from friends that where I am from “does not sound real”, and I really think it’s because the way I was raised definitely seems to differ compared to the average person. I grew up exploring the woods with my friends, building teepees, having fires, camping in random spots, jumping off ledges at the quarry and almost any outdoor activity we could think of. Everyone knows each other, and always willing to help one another. Although, I am apart of the Z-generation I can see the contrast between the people who were ultimately raised around technology or raised with it. In which are two largely different things. Rockport is special to me because I definitely would not appreciate the simple things as much as I do if it wasn’t for the community I was raised in.

For my little town, there is a private group page on Facebook named “Rockport Stuff”. Rockport Stuff is a page where residents are added by the admin (that way no one random can join), and people will post updates, questions and polls about any situation. I believe this is an extremely useful tool. It keeps a small community like Rockport more close knit and keeps everyone in the ‘loop’ just enough. Another form of technology that is used quite often in Rockport is any form of food ordering. Whether it be a grocery store app or postmates- this is because Rockport actually does not have a grocery store. So, to buy food one would have to leave Rockport and go to the next neighboring town. In which, is not very hard, but Rockport coincidentally is made up of a majority of elderly people who ultimately would not want to do so.

A digital device that I think should be banned are the new digital parking meters they just put in downtown Rockport. They are believed to be more functional than an old parking meter, and even has the option to use a bank card. Although, they almost always malfunction, and the new meters are placed further apart from the next due to them not being placed at every parking spot. I have seen more frustration and confusion come from this tech advancement than satisfaction. For communities to ban certain technologies I think it depends on multiple factors. One, being the community and the way that community works to clearly see where the dilemma is sourcing from. Two, the community is never going to be fully in agreement, but voting for majority rules seems to be the most fair.