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It is supposed to be a tool. You don't see a carpenter fixated on his damned hammer 24 7 . Computers in general are tools....My youngest son who is also a musician like his old man....has jumped forward by light years because of technology. He has access to things I could only dream of. He over time has become an excellent producer of music. To him computers are not just some social thing...they are a means to a better end....Few young people actually use computers for things that are creative and constructive....for the most part they remain TOYS.
In our old neighborhood, it use to take 20 min to walk a block. When one person had a problem, everybody chipped in to help.
Because of all the noses stuck in a phone, you don't ever meet your neighbors. What a shame.
When you see a doctor refer to his smart phone during consultation, you had better worry.
My elderly mother and I used to joke about her doctor was always playing Angry Birds when he was on his phone during an appointment. We thought it was funny, but didn't like that he had his face on the screen and not eye to eye with her while talking to her.
I just watched an interesting video on youtube and it made me think of this thread. It's directly speaking of Facebook but I think it relates to the larger topic of people being glued to smartphones and social media in general and the larger effect that it has on people and society as a whole. Very interesting.
I have seen a family of four sitting in a restaurant, each of them tapping away on their smartphones and not saying a word to each other. I've seen young couples in a restaurant tapping away on their smartphones, seemingly unaware that the other is even present.
It seems so many people these days cannot just sit and interact face-to-face. They have to look at their smartphones and make sure there isn't a message requiring their immediate attention.
No doubt.
I witnessed that myself a few weeks ago. Was walking home from Krogers on Vine Street right by Kaze -- an high end Japanese sushi bar with valet parking and all that --- every single person head down face buried in their 'doids.
Next block up, all the restaurants same thing. I stopped to watch for a few minutes.
It's actually frightening.
It's very cult-like, and if you know anything about psychology, sociology, cults or psy-ops warfare, there's a huge potential for abuse -- to pervert that into something dreadful.
What it really reminds me of most is the Rat Study.
When I enter a restaurant (even fast food), my phone is either left in my car or turned completely OFF. Same goes for doctor's office, school building, library, or anything else. I refuse to allow myself to be a slave to a phone and I'm not so 'self-important' that I just have to see every Facebook entry or get every message or email the second it happens.
Once I'm home, the phone is turned off and tossed in the basket with my keys. I may check in ONCE before going to sleep in case there is an important voicemail but that's about it.
I'm still actively reading the posts in this thread and I find the results interesting.
I noticed a family of three this weekend enter a restaurant, sit down, read the menu, order their food, and proceed to interact with their devices. This time they even accessed their devices while eating.
There was also an elderly couple in the restaurant. The man was constantly on his device while his wife sat there, obviously uncomfortable, wringing her hands and looking around the restaurant.
This weekend I also became aware of evolving texting/calling rules of etiquette. These rules, unwritten and different for each social circle, define when it is acceptable to call someone and when a text should be sent instead. However, the rules don't address when it is acceptable to use the devices - only how they should be used to avoid social embarrassment.
Last edited by Dirt Grinder; 01-26-2014 at 09:05 PM..
My elderly mother and I used to joke about her doctor was always playing Angry Birds when he was on his phone during an appointment. We thought it was funny, but didn't like that he had his face on the screen and not eye to eye with her while talking to her.
That is so wacked! I would fire the guy on the spot....eg. "Sorry dear doctor but you seem to be some sort of immature fool....I believe you could be a hazard to my health"
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