The Problem With Technology

Dragonfly · Feb 13, 2016

Anyone over the age of 40 can surely relate to what this guy is saying.

Some of it is truth on whole wheat toast with butter and homemade jam for sure.

Thumbs up to the message this guy is trying to get across.
I'm just not sure there's an easy way to go back to the way things used to be.

LowDown · Feb 13, 2016

Dragonfly said:
Anyone over the age of 40 can surely relate to what this guy is saying.

Some of it is truth on whole wheat toast with butter and homemade jam for sure.

Thumbs up to the message this guy is trying to get across.
I'm just not sure there's an easy way to go back to the way things used to be.

There is always an element of each generation that complains about technology.

If you want to "get back to the way things used to be" how about pre-telephone and pre-automobile days when a person's life was confined to the few miles around their home, when it was a lot more difficult and rare to get out and meet people, when people worked too many hours to socialize any significant amount?

Thomas Jefferson spent a huge amount of his time daily reading letters from others and writing letters to them. Are we supposed to think that this was cutting him off from his friends? It would take him days to go from Monticello to Washington to meet them. His letters were a big source of instruction and inspiration for many people, and some of them inspire us even today.

Picking up a phone and calling friends or family half way around the world was cutting them off from society?

Being able to get in a car and drive into town, that was taking time away from family, right?

People adopt new modes of communication because they find advantages in them. There are down sides to face to face meetings that this guy isn't considering.

Helix · Feb 13, 2016

good video, but i don't agree that electronic communication is a net negative. as an introvert, i probably talk to at least five times as many people as i would have without the internet. also, i marvel almost every day that i carry the modern equivalent of the Library of Alexandria on my hip at all times, and the device is the size of my high school calculator.

also, the dude posted this video on the internet and we're discussing it on the internet, so there's that.

_Sal · Feb 13, 2016

we blame technology but it isn't technology that is the problem it's merely how it's used

people who are elderly or ill, or introverted and are plugged in are now better connected than ever

it's all about balance and most people never acquire good balance about things anyway

Captain Adverse · Feb 13, 2016

I made a conscious decision about 15 years ago not to "upgrade" my personal communication devices for the very reasons stated in the video.

I noticed all of the same problems the video points out; the most obvious of which is watching kids "hanging out" together with their eyes (and thumbs) glues to their personal communication devices. They carry on multiple conversations through those devices with each other and people not present. Not looking up even once and connecting eye to eye.

I used to to be the go-to guy for new technology, embracing it for many of the reasons mentioned by other members in response to the OP. However, I changed my mind after long-term first hand observations about the deterioration of actual human interpersonal relations. Now, my friends get annoyed that I refuse to text, skype, or email as my primary method of communication. I insist on face-to-face, or at least a telephone call and have not upgraded from my old flip phone. I know how to use the new tech, I simply refuse to abandon real contact for the mini-contacts such tech engenders.

Yes, technology is helpful when used properly, but IMO it has come to replace true interpersonal relationships with screens and barriers. I find it most amusing that our "introverted" members think they are actually less isolated because they can use this technology to "communicate" without ever having to actually encounter those they are communicating with.

Technology is good when it is used as a minor convenience, but not when it replaces actual human interpersonal activities which is exactly what the video points out.

Dragonfly · Feb 13, 2016

All tools can be used to build things, but they can also destroy things.

Technology is no different than a hammer or a screw driver.

it's all in how it's used

Mycroft · Feb 13, 2016

Dragonfly said:
Anyone over the age of 40 can surely relate to what this guy is saying.

Some of it is truth on whole wheat toast with butter and homemade jam for sure.

Thumbs up to the message this guy is trying to get across.
I'm just not sure there's an easy way to go back to the way things used to be.

If this guy wants to really get his message across, he should just get some hip-hop beats and turn this thing into a real rap song. The young people...the ones he SHOULD be aiming this video towards won't respond to this thing.

But seriously, some people...like me...use technology instead of letting it influence their lives to the extent this guy contends. Maybe it's because people like me have been dealing with advances in technology all our lives.

SocialD · Feb 14, 2016

Helix said:
good video, but i don't agree that electronic communication is a net negative. as an introvert, i probably talk to at least five times as many people as i would have without the internet. also, i marvel almost every day that i carry the modern equivalent of the Library of Alexandria on my hip at all times, and the device is the size of my high school calculator.

also, the dude posted this video on the internet and we're discussing it on the internet, so there's that.

Well he was trying to reach his target audience

I think electronic communication is a tool for good or bad. its just how you use it. a lot of people use it unhealthily.
I went to a nephews ball game awhile back. a group of girls around 14 or 15 were standing there all on their phones and a couple of them were apparently texting each other. oblivious to who everything else going on and well they were standing right next to each other they could have just said it instead.

JumpinJack · Feb 14, 2016

Dragonfly said:
Anyone over the age of 40 can surely relate to what this guy is saying.

Some of it is truth on whole wheat toast with butter and homemade jam for sure.

Thumbs up to the message this guy is trying to get across.
I'm just not sure there's an easy way to go back to the way things used to be.

Good video.

I think there is a difference between the current technology and inventions that came before. Now, when people look at cell phones, they're not communicating with anyone. They're looking to check on communications, looking at the internet, checking the weather, playing games.

I noticed this in the waiting area having my car serviced last time. Several of us sat in the room. Nice room. Good picture books to browse, good coffee, nice tv set to a news station. Others looked at their phones or tablets, one guy was talking on his phone. I looked at a picture book for a while, but also looked at the news on tv. No one spoke. In the old days, people would speak a bit in the waiting area.

A telephone or car doesn't stop us from connecting to other people in person in our daily lives. But a cell phone does, and particularly a smart phone. It strikes me as rude that people don't even acknowledge each other sometimes, whether in an elevator or a waiting room.

I think the smartphone may have an addictive quality to it? Not sure. Young people want to text me to tell me something, but I tell them to email me instead because I don't keep my cell phone turned on all the time. I'm sure they find that odd, since they are "on" almost all the time. And to people older than I am, emailing is high tech stuff that's unnecessary, and prefer a phone call.

There's no going back, though.

Helix · Feb 14, 2016

SocialD said:
Well he was trying to reach his target audience

I think electronic communication is a tool for good or bad. its just how you use it. a lot of people use it unhealthily.
I went to a nephews ball game awhile back. a group of girls around 14 or 15 were standing there all on their phones and a couple of them were apparently texting each other. oblivious to who everything else going on and well they were standing right next to each other they could have just said it instead.

we're social mammals, and that's not likely to change anytime soon. texting / snapchat or whatever is the new passing notes in class.

SocialD · Feb 14, 2016

Helix said:
we're social mammals, and that's not likely to change anytime soon. texting / snapchat or whatever is the new passing notes in class.

Passing notes in class was done because you couldn't talk in class without getting in trouble though. I was illustrating a situation where people were free to talk all they wanted and standing right in front of each other.
text often doesn't convey the whole meaning. regardless of emoticons and all that you often cant accurately convey body language, tone of voice etc in a text.

Helix · Feb 14, 2016

SocialD said:
Passing notes in class was done because you couldn't talk in class without getting in trouble though. I was illustrating a situation where people were free to talk all they wanted and standing right in front of each other.
text often doesn't convey the whole meaning. regardless of emoticons and all that you often cant accurately convey body language, tone of voice etc in a text.

some people are just more comfortable communicating that way. ****, sometimes my GF and i send each other texts when we're in the same room. then we laugh our asses off. it's all good.

SocialD · Feb 14, 2016

Helix said:
some people are just more comfortable communicating that way. ****, sometimes my GF and i send each other texts when we're in the same room. then we laugh our asses off. it's all good.

Yes some people are more comfortable that way but I don't believe that that is a good thing.
Don't get me wrong I use texts. but generally only if I cant talk voice, or I cant talk in person etc..

RAMOSS · Feb 17, 2016

Helix said:
some people are just more comfortable communicating that way. ****, sometimes my GF and i send each other texts when we're in the same room. then we laugh our asses off. it's all good.

When I started taking care of someone who got kicked out of their house by their mother, we used to discuss issues over instant messenger... even when in the next room. it was more productive than glaring becoming vocal, because it forced her to gather her thoughts and actually respond to my points instead of flipping out like she did with her mother.

calamity · Feb 17, 2016

Helix said:
good video, but i don't agree that electronic communication is a net negative. as an introvert, i probably talk to at least five times as many people as i would have without the internet. also, i marvel almost every day that i carry the modern equivalent of the Library of Alexandria on my hip at all times, and the device is the size of my high school calculator.

also, the dude posted this video on the internet and we're discussing it on the internet, so there's that.

Agreed. I can still remember the days when I used to write on a notepad all the things I was wondering about, and then I'd have to wait several days before having a chance to go to the library and look them up. Same with the old archaic letters sent by snail mail. It took a week to know how a friend or relative was doing unless you called them directly, at a cost of about 20 cents a minute. Now, we can check out anything we want in minutes and find out how mom and dad are doing several times a week at no cost---which reminds me, I should send an email.

faithful_servant · Feb 17, 2016

Captain Adverse said:
I made a conscious decision about 15 years ago not to "upgrade" my personal communication devices for the very reasons stated in the video.

I noticed all of the same problems the video points out; the most obvious of which is watching kids "hanging out" together with their eyes (and thumbs) glues to their personal communication devices. They carry on multiple conversations through those devices with each other and people not present. Not looking up even once and connecting eye to eye.

I used to to be the go-to guy for new technology, embracing it for many of the reasons mentioned by other members in response to the OP. However, I changed my mind after long-term first hand observations about the deterioration of actual human interpersonal relations. Now, my friends get annoyed that I refuse to text, skype, or email as my primary method of communication. I insist on face-to-face, or at least a telephone call and have not upgraded from my old flip phone. I know how to use the new tech, I simply refuse to abandon real contact for the mini-contacts such tech engenders.

Yes, technology is helpful when used properly, but IMO it has come to replace true interpersonal relationships with screens and barriers. I find it most amusing that our "introverted" members think they are actually less isolated because they can use this technology to "communicate" without ever having to actually encounter those they are communicating with.

Technology is good when it is used as a minor convenience, but not when it replaces actual human interpersonal activities which is exactly what the video points out.

:applaud

It's like people posting "Happy Birthday" on FB. If they really matter to you, then call them, send them card, MAKE A FRICKIN' EFFORT. Last year I got told "HPBD" from at least a dozen people who got a notification that it was my birthday, but couldn't be bothered to even type the words "Happy Birthday". Most of the folks on FB that tell me "Happy Birthday" could have easily taken 2 minutes to call me and instead throw out the least meaningful "Happy Birthday" wishes possible.

Off my soapbox...

I do think that technology is making us less personally involved in each other's lives. It tends to isolate us while at the same substituting information for relationship. We know within minutes of the death of a loved one, but fail to stop and call his widow and tell her how sorry we are. We tell each other what we had for dinner, but rarely share a meal. We'll post pics of Jesus and tell people that if they really love Him, then "like and share", but never sit down with someone and tell them about the love of Christ. We'll spend 20 minutes texting when a 2 minute phone call can accomplish more with less of a risk of someone taking something wrong because they all butthurt over a message presented with almost no emotional content.

Helix · Feb 17, 2016

calamity said:
Agreed. I can still remember the days when I used to write on a notepad all the things I was wondering about, and then I'd have to wait several days before having a chance to go to the library and look them up. Same with the old archaic letters sent by snail mail. It took a week to know how a friend or relative was doing unless you called them directly, at a cost of about 20 cents a minute. Now, we can check out anything we want in minutes and find out how mom and dad are doing several times a week at no cost---which reminds me, I should send an email.

i still like analog communication like letters and taking notes on paper quite a bit. however, i'm glad that i live during the time when most of the world is in instant contact with anyone they want to communicate with and a vast ocean of knowledge is available to search at all times. that is just unbelievably cool. it's also somewhat stunning to think that mine is one of only a few generations which went through that transition and can truly appreciate how much we've benefitted from it.

Lethargic Aptitude · Feb 17, 2016

Dragonfly said:
All tools can be used to build things, but they can also destroy things.

Technology is no different than a hammer or a screw driver.

it's all in how it's used

Goshin · Feb 17, 2016

Captain Adverse said:
I made a conscious decision about 15 years ago not to "upgrade" my personal communication devices for the very reasons stated in the video.

I noticed all of the same problems the video points out; the most obvious of which is watching kids "hanging out" together with their eyes (and thumbs) glues to their personal communication devices. They carry on multiple conversations through those devices with each other and people not present. Not looking up even once and connecting eye to eye.

I used to to be the go-to guy for new technology, embracing it for many of the reasons mentioned by other members in response to the OP. However, I changed my mind after long-term first hand observations about the deterioration of actual human interpersonal relations. Now, my friends get annoyed that I refuse to text, skype, or email as my primary method of communication. I insist on face-to-face, or at least a telephone call and have not upgraded from my old flip phone. I know how to use the new tech, I simply refuse to abandon real contact for the mini-contacts such tech engenders.

Yes, technology is helpful when used properly, but IMO it has come to replace true interpersonal relationships with screens and barriers. I find it most amusing that our "introverted" members think they are actually less isolated because they can use this technology to "communicate" without ever having to actually encounter those they are communicating with.

Technology is good when it is used as a minor convenience, but not when it replaces actual human interpersonal activities which is exactly what the video points out.

I'll grant you there are some issues with the ubiquitous use of modern electronics. I've seen middle and high school kids walking down the street utterly oblivious to everything except their chosen device... that's not a good survival characteristic.

However, I think we'll find a balance along the way.

I finally, very reluctantly, abandoned my flip-phone and got a smart phone this year.

Holey Hannah, I love that thing and would not go back now. Internet access, GPS and maps on demand, i can exchange messages with my entire family on FB chat all at once, it is amazing.

I don't text a lot though, and I'm not constantly glued to the thing. I use it when I need it, or when nothing else is going on.

It's pretty awesome though, to be able to find my way readily to somewhere I've never been without fiddling with paper maps, or just say "Ok Google, what's on at the movies?" and so forth.

Granted, a lot of these young folks today have no clue what to do with a paper map or a Rand McNalley Road Atlas... but then again, I have little idea how to use a sextant to navigate. Things change.

Goshin · Feb 17, 2016

faithful_servant said:
:applaud

It's like people posting "Happy Birthday" on FB. If they really matter to you, then call them, send them card, MAKE A FRICKIN' EFFORT. Last year I got told "HPBD" from at least a dozen people who got a notification that it was my birthday, but couldn't be bothered to even type the words "Happy Birthday". Most of the folks on FB that tell me "Happy Birthday" could have easily taken 2 minutes to call me and instead throw out the least meaningful "Happy Birthday" wishes possible.

Off my soapbox...

I do think that technology is making us less personally involved in each other's lives. It tends to isolate us while at the same substituting information for relationship. We know within minutes of the death of a loved one, but fail to stop and call his widow and tell her how sorry we are. We tell each other what we had for dinner, but rarely share a meal. We'll post pics of Jesus and tell people that if they really love Him, then "like and share", but never sit down with someone and tell them about the love of Christ. We'll spend 20 minutes texting when a 2 minute phone call can accomplish more with less of a risk of someone taking something wrong because they all butthurt over a message presented with almost no emotional content.

Personally, I think we just need to learn which is the more appropriate means of communication given the circumstances in question, and apply that knowledge accordingly.

A phone call is more personal than a text or FB message yes. However, I don't necessarily want EVERYONE I know calling me on the phone on my birthday... too much time and bother! Certain specific people, those who are really my 'nearest and dearest' yes... but not everyone.

Ntharotep · Feb 17, 2016

I can somewhat relate.
The things I find sad is
• Friends live ten minutes away but would rather me keep in touch via Facebook than to actually hang out
• When we do hang out, friends have their faces stuffed in a tablet, phone, or other device half the time
• People seem to be doing less thinking on their own (spelling, math, etc) because machines can do it for them. There's article upon article about the "getting dumber from technology" era we seem to be entering
• A kid's computer goes down at a corner store and they can't sell anything via credit card and sometimes can't make change without the machine telling them what the change is

This last bit in particular. There should be *NO* going backwards and *NO* inconveniences created by technology. When I worked in retail, if the register's computer (such as it was) went down, I simply pulled out the by hand credit card slider and used that and I never had an issue counting change because I didn't have a machine to tell me what that change should be.
Technology in and of itself is pretty awesome. I don't begrudge it at all. I do begrudge a society that can't do without it in a pinch.

The Problem With Technology

Dragonfly

LowDown

Curmudgeon

Helix

_Sal

Captain Adverse

Classical Liberal Sage

Dragonfly

Mycroft

Genius is where you find it.

SocialD

JumpinJack

Helix

SocialD

Helix

SocialD

RAMOSS

calamity

Privileged

faithful_servant

Helix

Lethargic Aptitude

Political Parties = Corruption

Goshin

Burned Out Ex-Mod

Goshin

Burned Out Ex-Mod

Ntharotep

Well-known member