OT: Are we becoming too dependent on technology?

[Snuffy]

The other day I went to lunch and stopped at a local Chinese restaurant ... nothing spectacular about that, except for what was going on in the dining area.

There was a lovely "couple" at one table and they were trying to eat, and making a mess, while they were both on their cell phones texting away. Now I don't suppose you think that's too terribly wrong except for one thing ...

While sitting at the same table, this "couple" were so into the texting thing, that they were texting each other while they were eating lunch face to face. I'm as serious as a heart attack here.

One would be seen entering a slew of text and within seconds the other's phone would react and they would giggle away, and then the one who just received the message, sat there and painstakingly entered a reply and sent it to their partner across the table.

I'm not making this up, I was just completely dumbfounded that something like this could actually be taking place. These people were within arms reach of each other and rather than enjoying the physical contact and conversation of face to face, they would rather text each other.

It went on for a full hour while they were there. Only just before they got up to leave did they actually put their phones away and actually tried talking to each other.

 

[stuartcox]

You have hit a sore point their!
I have experienced it several times before, not sending texts to each other, but people answering to incoming messages whilst talking to me!
Can't the messaging wait? Or, if it's an emergency, at least apologize.
It's like reading the newspaper whilst having sex! (Not that I have ever experienced that).
It has all to do with manners, unfortunately something you don't find enough nowadays.

 

[Rami]

Reply...

I see my students losing their ability to have a face-to-face conversation with me and other teachers. Their English skills have also gotten extraordinarily bad, especially when it comes to vocabulary usage.

To them, asking them to write a two-page double-spaced synopsis on the comparisons between labor conditions in the late 1800s - early 1900s and similar labor conditions today is equivalent to throwing them in jail. It's pathetic.

When I worked as a video store manager while putting myself through college, I would not cash people out until they finished their conversation and hung up their phone. This infuriated people that I had the audacity to do such a thing.

 

[Roadburner440]

That is rediculous but to me it doesn't matter much what people do in their own time. I get mad when I am driving my car, or more importantly riding my bicycle and someone is to busy texting/yapping away while driving and nearly destroys my vehicle. Got to keep your head on a swivel nowadays. Not to mention these idiots don't have insurance, so I have to carry rediculous coverages, and pay attention like a nervous wreck. There are no personal communication, or more importantly personal responsibility skills among the upcoming generations... They are never wrong and it is always someone elses fault. So they will continue to be ignorant and yap away/text on their phones putting our lives in danger on the roads.

 

[Terry]

I agree with all the above posts, but on the positive side...

They know all about global warming, evil corporations, endangered species, unfair constitution, etc.

 

[stuartcox]

When I worked as a video store manager while putting myself through college, I would not cash people out until they finished their conversation and hung up their phone. This infuriated people that I had the audacity to do such a thing.

I agree to a quote by Donald Mills:
"It’s a terrible disgrace and the death of decent conversation. The young people should hang up their phones, button their mouths and just listen for a while. They may damned well learn something."

 

[Quixoticish]

I agree to a quote by Donald Mills:
"It’s a terrible disgrace and the death of decent conversation. The young people should hang up their phones, button their mouths and just listen for a while. They may damned well learn something."

I actually find that it's a growing trend amongst the middle aged as well now.

 

[Lewis-A2A]

No, I believe its a simple case of you lot growing old and complaining about the young. Just as your parents did and there parents before them.

Its quite simply is the way of things and unless the human condition changes to a point at which one can truly share the experiences of your life mind to mind then it will continue.

I know because even at my age I find myself complaining at how kids dont know things, how rock music is now so mainstream and the 'in' thing. Hell I work at a school and still cant believe it when the kids think 'The Goonies' and 'Short Circuit' are old crappy films! For me it was my childhood, my growing up.

I also find it funny the idea of english skills going downhill when most of those on these boards speak an English (US) that is not recongniseable to me. Its a language that evolved from english into what should really be known internationally as American English. Just as todays English has evolved so I no longer say things like 'yay' 'thou' 'shalt' etc

 

[Bjoern]

I agree to a quote by Donald Mills:
"It’s a terrible disgrace and the death of decent conversation. The young people should hang up their phones, button their mouths and just listen for a while. They may damned well learn something."

Words from someone too slow for the technology race.
If they had had the technology in their youth, about 34589 years ago, they wouldn't have done it any other way.




G2g smke. L8rz m8ts.

I also find it funny the idea of english skills going downhill when most of those on these boards speak an English (US) that is not recongniseable to me.

Post of the day!

 

[Lionheart]

I agree with Lewis,

Leave them alone, their having fun. If they arent hurting anyone, then hey, at least they are together and happy.

I wish I had something like this iPhone when I was a young kid. All I had was a 9 volt walkie talkie with a morse code transmitter button on the side. I was the only kid in Arizona that new Morse, so that was a total loss... now they have texting!!!


_... .. ._.. ._..

 

[MaddogK]

Dependent ? YES

Simply because technology can do for us what brains and brawn did for our ancestors.

 

[Snuffy]

Okay, for the record. In my first post I never indicated an age bracket for this couple.

But seeing as how there is some debate over age of use ... etc.

I would have put this couple at their late 30s early to mid 40s.

I guess part of my "shock" at this would be the fact that I've been a single guy for the better part of 15 years now, and that if I had an opportunity to have a "date" with a member of the opposite sex, there would be no way in hell I'd be texting her while we sat 30 inches apart from each other.

Hurting anyone or not, (and certainly they weren't, I was just astounded is all,) the point is that technology of this sort is making the human race an introverted collection of lost souls. And, YES, it is making the collective race dumber as more people want to do the short cut text language thing because all of a sudden, they don't remember how to write anything longhand. JMHO.

 

[Kiwikat]

The idea that technology is making us dumber is completely wrong. The amount of information available on the internet is inconceivable. Computers have allowed us to share such vast knowledge across all cultures. Nothing like this has been available throughout the history of humanity. Every book on Earth pales in comparison to the Internets.

Technology may be reducing our ability to use proper English, but it is being replaced by other skills and means of communication that we didn't have before. If they had cell phones and 3G coverage a thousand years ago, you bet they would have used them too! There's nothing wrong with becoming dependent on technology. It has ALWAYS been the future of mankind. From the wheel, to the light bulb, to the microprocessor. Stuff has just been progressing faster because our knowledge has increased.

I do agree though, cell phones are getting out of hand. I fear for my life every time I walk to my car and drive out of the college parking lot. People are glued to those thing constantly. I'm very proud to say I don't own one!

 

[Roadburner440]

I am not part of an older generation complaining about a new incoming one. Unless 26 is considered old these days. I will say I do have a cell phone but mainly because I am in the military and that puts me on call 24/7 so if I had a land line I'd be chained to the house. If anyone has seen the movie "Idiocracy" I just think that is where all this technology dependance is taking us. The dumbing down of society as it was basically put above.

 

[Naismith]

Rant mode on.

Used to have a cell, ditched it as it was too intrusive in my life and got tired of the bossman being able to reach me wherever I was. If people want to call me they can ring the house. If I am not there they can leave a message. Nothing is that important, I am not a brain surgeon nor an international entrepreneur that absolutley must be in contact with my office 24/7.
I despair if the simple minded dolts that you see in the supermarket who have to ring home to ascertain what brand of bread to buy or which ketchup is best. Use your imagination fools.
Apart from that we (society) have been suckered in to paying paying ridiculous fees to these telcom companies just for the pleasure of using their dreary little apps. And paying money to receive calls, what's that about? I will continue to resist.

Rant mode off.

 

[Dain Arns]

I am not part of an older generation complaining about a new incoming one. Unless 26 is considered old these days. I will say I do have a cell phone but mainly because I am in the military and that puts me on call 24/7 so if I had a land line I'd be chained to the house. If anyone has seen the movie "Idiocracy" I just think that is where all this technology dependance is taking us. The dumbing down of society as it was basically put above.

I immediately thought of the "Doctor Scene" from Idiocracy...

 

[Snuffy]

The idea that technology is making us dumber is completely wrong. The amount of information available on the internet is inconceivable. Computers have allowed us to share such vast knowledge across all cultures. Nothing like this has been available throughout the history of humanity. Every book on Earth pales in comparison to the Internets. ...

Please don't confuse the availability of information as actual smarts. Just because we have this plethora of facts/data/b.s./and what not available at the touch of a button doesn't mean that the information we scrounge up sticks to the grey matter.

I'll bet 5 to 1 if you were to grab the average kid off the street today and start asking questions he should know the answers to in his head, I'll be he fails worse than 50 percent.

Certain talk show hosts and other entertainers have proved this time and again ... all the technology that dispenses the information doesn't make a person capable of retaining information or being able to do math long hand in their head any more.

Again, availability of information does not make one smarter. If one doesn't exercise his mental faculties in remembering stuff he should know.

 

[Willy]

I see my students losing their ability to have a face-to-face conversation with me and other teachers. Their English skills have also gotten extraordinarily bad, especially when it comes to vocabulary usage.

To them, asking them to write a two-page double-spaced synopsis on the comparisons between labor conditions in the late 1800s - early 1900s and similar labor conditions today is equivalent to throwing them in jail. It's pathetic.

Drives my younger daughter nuts that I use regular written English in a text and refuse to recognize the butchered "language" that she sends. Makes me wonder how English teachers are making out with it.

 

[Navy Chief]

When, not if, the "grid" gets taken down in this country, and everyone loses cell phone/internet service......so many people will panic.

So much depends on internet traffic, i.e. purchasing of just about everything, banks, etc......

Chaos would ensue.

NC

 

[Rami]

Drives my younger daughter nuts that I use regular written English in a text and refuse to recognize the butchered "language" that she sends. Makes me wonder how English teachers are making out with it.

Willy,

Take it from someone who works side-by-side with them. They're not handling it well. Teachers are left with one of two choices...

1) Grade correctly and harshly, resulting in poor test grades which reflect badly on themselves and the school, which could place both themselves and the other teacher's jobs in jeopardy thanks to NCLB legislation....

-OR-

2) Let it slide until college professors have to deal with it, continuing the need for "100" level classes...and providing more ammo for the professors who love to complain about them.