a "fanboy" of technical companies. They are all about making $$ like any other industry. When they smooth over their latest technical creations with how good it is for society, or how it doesn't cost jobs, they are full of crap. They could care less if their automation of grocery stores costs thousands of jobs (an example), or if people are flooding there apps for nefarious reasons (they love the traffic). Also these are blue collar, low skill jobs that won't come back. They can say that the jobs just shift to the software makers creating these programs, but then you'd have to be a high-tech person yourself. I don't believe cashout clerks can learn to code software. Its all about improving profits, making money, and increasing stock value. All these CEO's are full of it
it is not the job of tech companies to teach people how to disconnect from the online world (though if you Google how to disconnect from technology there are over 11 million hits, so it's not as if they are trying to cover up disconnection).
I try to turn my phone off at 930 every night and read a book (or I put my phone on airplane mode and with the nighttime lighting if I am reading an e-book). there
it also paints apple, amazon, facebook and google with the same brush - and each one of those entities has different products, benefits and social costs/risks.
i can see how technology can be addictive and potentially destructive for certain personality types - but really, you can make the same arguments for other consumer facing technology innovations over time - game boys, television, etc.
If you take this article and replace the word "tech" with "rock 'n roll" or "TV" it could have been written in the late '50's. Even though I'm 61, I realize that in every generation, old farts are uncomfortable with the cultural changes that have taking place and complain that it wasn't like this when they were kids.
As for the argument that tech is displacing low skilled workers, its the same argument that has been made since the 19th century. Before they invented indoor plumbing, they had to pay people to clean chamber pots. Somehow, the world survived the loss of those employment opportunities.
is destroying our children's lives. And there is nothing we can do to stop it
I'm sure some will laugh at this, but I think parents could at least slow it down. And the nasty comment would be that they're too busy staring at their iPhone.
If you take this article and replace the word "tech" with "rock 'n roll" or "TV" it could have been written in the late '50's. Even though I'm 61, I realize that in every generation, old farts are uncomfortable with the cultural changes that have taking place and complain that it wasn't like this when they were kids.
As for the argument that tech is displacing low skilled workers, its the same argument that has been made since the 19th century. Before they invented indoor plumbing, they had to pay people to clean chamber pots. Somehow, the world survived the loss of those employment opportunities.
Ron - IMHO what's different is that rock and roll and television were not as omnipresent. You didn't take a TV with you to school. And while you might have a transistor radio, it didn't let you communicate with distant acquaintances or strangers. You actually had to talk to people.
I could probably think of hundreds of ways that tech and the internet have improved our lives and the lives of our children, but here is one that comes to mind, that I even discussed with one of my nieces .
In the 1970's at 10 pm, Channel 5 right before the 10 o clock news would ask the question "Its 10 pm, do you know where your children are ?" It was a real concern.
In 2017, thanks to social media and the cultural changes that accompanied it, the answer to the question is "Yes, we do know where our children are !"
RE: Its 10 pm, do you know where your children are ?
I could probably think of hundreds of ways that tech and the internet have improved our lives and the lives of our children, but here is one that comes to mind, that I even discussed with one of my nieces .
In the 1970's at 10 pm, Channel 5 right before the 10 o clock news would ask the question "Its 10 pm, do you know where your children are ?" It was a real concern.
In 2017, thanks to social media and the cultural changes that accompanied it, the answer to the question is "Yes, we do know where our children are !"
Still, in many cases, our children can find as much or more trouble, or cause as much or more trouble, sitting in their bedrooms at 10 p.m. on their phones. It's a problem for many.
If you take this article and replace the word "tech" with "rock 'n roll" or "TV" it could have been written in the late '50's. Even though I'm 61, I realize that in every generation, old farts are uncomfortable with the cultural changes that have taking place and complain that it wasn't like this when they were kids.
As for the argument that tech is displacing low skilled workers, its the same argument that has been made since the 19th century. Before they invented indoor plumbing, they had to pay people to clean chamber pots. Somehow, the world survived the loss of those employment opportunities.
Ron - IMHO what's different is that rock and roll and television were not as omnipresent. You didn't take a TV with you to school. And while you might have a transistor radio, it didn't let you communicate with distant acquaintances or strangers. You actually had to talk to people.
I'm glad you mentioned transistor radios. I remember carrying one around everywhere I went listening to WABC with all its commercials until the POS 9 volt battery died. I envy the kids today with their iPhones/iPods.
Yes, iPhones are more portable than the TV's and Record players of yesteryear, but what do kids do on those iPhones ? To a large extent they are texting or facebooking. In other words, they are interacting in a way the my generation couldn't, because the only electronic tool available was a telephone. Some how I think spending hours on facebook is actually healthier that watching hours of Gilligan's Island and Lucy reruns.
Every era's defining inventions are going to have their pros/cons
and society will go through growing pains that go along with how they are adopted into our lives. That said the rapid advancements in tech in terms of connectivity and the power of things being entered into a permanent record of sorts is not to be underestimated in terms of the challenge. "with great power comes great responsibility". Kids (and all humans) have more power at their finger tips than ever before, will society find ways to act more responsibly?
RE: Its 10 pm, do you know where your children are ?
I could probably think of hundreds of ways that tech and the internet have improved our lives and the lives of our children, but here is one that comes to mind, that I even discussed with one of my nieces .
In the 1970's at 10 pm, Channel 5 right before the 10 o clock news would ask the question "Its 10 pm, do you know where your children are ?" It was a real concern.
In 2017, thanks to social media and the cultural changes that accompanied it, the answer to the question is "Yes, we do know where our children are !"
At 10 o'clock my parents, and the parents of all my friends, knew where we were. What remains unchanged is the answer to the question "do you know what your kids are doing?"
And nobody here is asserting that nothing positive has come from tech and the internet.
is destroying our children's lives. And there is nothing we can do to stop it
I'm sure some will laugh at this, but I think parents could at least slow it down. And the nasty comment would be that they're too busy staring at their iPhone.
The people that laugh have already given up. You are right.
and this is the core of his article, with which I entirely agree
The big breakthrough will come when tech executives clearly acknowledge the central truth: Their technologies are extremely useful for the tasks and pleasures that require shallower forms of consciousness, but they often crowd out and destroy the deeper forms of consciousness people need to thrive.
Some how I think spending hours on facebook is actually healthier that watching hours of Gilligan's Island and Lucy reruns.
What we were usually doing is playing pick up basketball games, football games or 5 man baseball where hitting the ball to right field was considered a "do over". I'd suggest that was healthier than sitting in a bedroom staring at a screen.
Old people complaining about the current generation
My students are completely glued to their devices. Taking them from them provokes a reaction you would not believe. They will loose their minds like taking a needle away from a junkie.
My 6 year old reacts the same way, and I am uber protective and restrictive of his screen time, but even the littlest amounts cause a reaction like no other from him.
I hate to say it, but my wife is also addicted to her smartphone, and after reading about it, most women are and this is a new occurrence. She is not alone.
Most of the country is addicted to it, and like any drug, it's really hard to convince somebody they have a problem. They laugh it off. When you push it, they get hostile.
Technology is a drug.
Studies have shown it is much more prevalent in women and children.
controlling the phone and not letting it control you - and in the case of kids, it's up to parents to set boundaries on screen time, what sites they can visit, when they need to put the phone away (when spending quality time with grandparents for example) etc. the phones should not be allowed to be used in classrooms anymore than say walkmen or Gameboys were not allowed in classrooms.
I love my device and the apps available. I get my work emails, texts, books, news, advice, music, photos, videos, school and preschool updates, to do lists, calendar, budget tracking, fitness tracking, meditation, workout routines and shopping all in one compact phone. It saves me a lot of time and keeps me organized and on track for my goals. At the same time, when I'm catching up with friends over a drink, I put my phone away - I'm not taking selfies, texting other people, seeing what else I'm missing out on.
have no idea what is available to any kid with an Iphone. Take a deep dive into 4chan, Reddit and Tumblr. Search out the hidden links. You'll find sites that teach your kids how to self harm and suicide, anorexia/bulimia, graphic gore photos etc. And many others. And your kids are looking at them. If you think its just porn and snapchat, think again.
have no idea what is available to any kid with an Iphone. Take a deep dive into 4chan, Reddit and Tumblr. Search out the hidden links. You'll find sites that teach your kids how to self harm and suicide, anorexia/bulimia, graphic gore photos etc. And many others. And your kids are looking at them. If you think its just porn and snapchat, think again.
I can assure you that the girls of my generation were well versed in self mutilation , anorexia and bulimia all without the help of the internet. As for graphic gore we had Isla she wolf of the SS and other such movies. One nice thing about the internet is that you can turn that crap off when it disgusts you enough, like I wish I could have done 10 minutes into Pink Flamingos.
I try to turn my phone off at 930 every night and read a book (or I put my phone on airplane mode and with the nighttime lighting if I am reading an e-book). there
it also paints apple, amazon, facebook and google with the same brush - and each one of those entities has different products, benefits and social costs/risks.
i can see how technology can be addictive and potentially destructive for certain personality types - but really, you can make the same arguments for other consumer facing technology innovations over time - game boys, television, etc.
As for the argument that tech is displacing low skilled workers, its the same argument that has been made since the 19th century. Before they invented indoor plumbing, they had to pay people to clean chamber pots. Somehow, the world survived the loss of those employment opportunities.
I'm sure some will laugh at this, but I think parents could at least slow it down. And the nasty comment would be that they're too busy staring at their iPhone.
As for the argument that tech is displacing low skilled workers, its the same argument that has been made since the 19th century. Before they invented indoor plumbing, they had to pay people to clean chamber pots. Somehow, the world survived the loss of those employment opportunities.
Ron - IMHO what's different is that rock and roll and television were not as omnipresent. You didn't take a TV with you to school. And while you might have a transistor radio, it didn't let you communicate with distant acquaintances or strangers. You actually had to talk to people.
In the 1970's at 10 pm, Channel 5 right before the 10 o clock news would ask the question "Its 10 pm, do you know where your children are ?" It was a real concern.
In 2017, thanks to social media and the cultural changes that accompanied it, the answer to the question is "Yes, we do know where our children are !"
In the 1970's at 10 pm, Channel 5 right before the 10 o clock news would ask the question "Its 10 pm, do you know where your children are ?" It was a real concern.
In 2017, thanks to social media and the cultural changes that accompanied it, the answer to the question is "Yes, we do know where our children are !"
Still, in many cases, our children can find as much or more trouble, or cause as much or more trouble, sitting in their bedrooms at 10 p.m. on their phones. It's a problem for many.
Quote:
If you take this article and replace the word "tech" with "rock 'n roll" or "TV" it could have been written in the late '50's. Even though I'm 61, I realize that in every generation, old farts are uncomfortable with the cultural changes that have taking place and complain that it wasn't like this when they were kids.
As for the argument that tech is displacing low skilled workers, its the same argument that has been made since the 19th century. Before they invented indoor plumbing, they had to pay people to clean chamber pots. Somehow, the world survived the loss of those employment opportunities.
Ron - IMHO what's different is that rock and roll and television were not as omnipresent. You didn't take a TV with you to school. And while you might have a transistor radio, it didn't let you communicate with distant acquaintances or strangers. You actually had to talk to people.
Yes, iPhones are more portable than the TV's and Record players of yesteryear, but what do kids do on those iPhones ? To a large extent they are texting or facebooking. In other words, they are interacting in a way the my generation couldn't, because the only electronic tool available was a telephone. Some how I think spending hours on facebook is actually healthier that watching hours of Gilligan's Island and Lucy reruns.
In the 1970's at 10 pm, Channel 5 right before the 10 o clock news would ask the question "Its 10 pm, do you know where your children are ?" It was a real concern.
In 2017, thanks to social media and the cultural changes that accompanied it, the answer to the question is "Yes, we do know where our children are !"
At 10 o'clock my parents, and the parents of all my friends, knew where we were. What remains unchanged is the answer to the question "do you know what your kids are doing?"
And nobody here is asserting that nothing positive has come from tech and the internet.
Be a good parent, maybe? So many parents cede control to their children at a young age. They need the discipline to tolerate a child's outbursts.
Quote:
is destroying our children's lives. And there is nothing we can do to stop it
I'm sure some will laugh at this, but I think parents could at least slow it down. And the nasty comment would be that they're too busy staring at their iPhone.
The people that laugh have already given up. You are right.
What we were usually doing is playing pick up basketball games, football games or 5 man baseball where hitting the ball to right field was considered a "do over". I'd suggest that was healthier than sitting in a bedroom staring at a screen.
I pray my kids (in their 50's) are all safe at night. /end sarcasm/
Ad based internet is destroying society - ( New Window )
My 6 year old reacts the same way, and I am uber protective and restrictive of his screen time, but even the littlest amounts cause a reaction like no other from him.
I hate to say it, but my wife is also addicted to her smartphone, and after reading about it, most women are and this is a new occurrence. She is not alone.
They are destroying intimacy.
Technology is a drug.
I love my device and the apps available. I get my work emails, texts, books, news, advice, music, photos, videos, school and preschool updates, to do lists, calendar, budget tracking, fitness tracking, meditation, workout routines and shopping all in one compact phone. It saves me a lot of time and keeps me organized and on track for my goals. At the same time, when I'm catching up with friends over a drink, I put my phone away - I'm not taking selfies, texting other people, seeing what else I'm missing out on.