Google’s Google Glasses, Apple’s iWatch, and Samsung’s Galaxy Gear Watch are just a few of the several new and exciting wearable technologies that have fascinated our generation. Their ability to track our footsteps, call and text, and even take hands-free snapshots never fails to impress. These advanced tools are often thought to epitomize our future, but do they?

Many in the technical world have predicted that this will not be the year of wearable technology; this summer, Gartner, a research firm, published a “hype cycle chart” that expected the ‘wearable technology hype’ to face a downfall this year.

I want to make it clear that wearable technology does have its advantages. For example, these gadgets allow users to stay engaged with their surroundings, instead of losing contact with their settings while on a phone call or attending to alerts from a tablet. Wearable technology is innovative and groundbreaking and has the ability to develop. In fact, a new report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) determined that the trend of wearable technology is likely to catch on, especially in the business world. But currently, the general public does not seem to be too enthusiastic about these gadgets.

The majority of respondents to a PwC survey said they were scared and concerned about the future of these appliances. 86% of consumers replied that wearable technology “will make us vulnerable to security breaches,” 72% believe that it will “turn us into robots” and 37% simply replied that these advanced gadgets will “make everyone look ridiculous” (Data: PwC Survey). The most alarming but realistic concern stated by 68% was that wearable technology will, “make me too dependent on technology.”

Doug Tompkins, the cofounder of retail brands The North Face and Espirt, argues that technology such as the iWatch and Google Glasses seem to be inhibiting evolution, instead of adding to our knowledge. Tompkins argues that computers and smartphones “make us dumber. We’re immersed in a system that now requires the use of a cell phone just to get around, just to function and so the logic of that cell phone has been imposed on us.”

By adding advanced watches, glasses and countless appliances to wear, we are decreasing the need to exercise our minds. GPS technology reduced our ability to direct and navigate – similarly, wearable technology will likely limit our need for skills, other appliances, and even art and culture.

Although it is currently in its infancy and developing stages, I believe that wearable technology is a fad. It may grow in popularity as it becomes affordable, but will eventually dwindle in our society, as consumers’ fear of overdependence on technology will be reflected in poor sales numbers. Our society’s need for a humane touch on daily life will supersede our need for such technological advancements.

Whether wearable technology is our future or just a passing fad, it will impact society. Only time will tell if our era of advanced gadgets will continue on to a norm of hands-free photography and tracked footsteps or heart rates. Whatever happens, hopefully we will learn to adapt to this technology and not let it hinder our ability to evolve and progress without a dependency on our appliances.