Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?

[tabs]

Originally Posted by Tervuren

Sans smart phones we would probably find some other thing to complain about.

It really has more to do with the fact that we live very luxurious lives in this country where we don't have to be occupied to pay the bills/survive every waking hour.

Of course, those that spend their time in entertainment will be poorer than those that don't.

This combination of easy luxury and little need to work will amplify the wealth distribution gap as you have those that will never do more than enough to get by.

If you take away the smartphone, what fills that void? Netflix on a couch with a TV?

it is not enough to complain about an action/item, some other more productive thing must be thought of to fill that void.

We have a BINGO...that has been my message coupled with the fact that the money is running out and the associated stresses is what is causing social and political distress. The problem is that NO ONE wants to face the fact that the money is running out and the national credit card is getting maxed out.

Just listen to yourselves on this Board...the amount of denial is really amazing. It does not even equate with most of you folks..because the system can still keep the facade of prosperity up by borrowing heavily reality does not gob smack you on the face everyday, so you have plausible deniability.

[jcommin]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

I love music, I am somewhat disturbed by the number of (adult) people I see in a live concert holding up their phones to record or live broadcast the event. As if it is more important to be seen at the event than to experience it.

We have the state science fair here at my work and it is very encouraging to see hundreds of kids in business attire with science projects that will boggle your mind.

On the other hand IMHO social media is turning our (adult and child) brains to mush. Yes, electronic devices are useful, however much like a glass of wine with dinner is good for you... drinking wine all day long... not so much.

I was a Chicago Bear season ticket holder for over 20 years - I stopped gong to games in the early 90's. Since that time, the stadium in Chicago was renovated and the entire area has undergone a transformation.

Last October, my oldest game me 4 tickets to a Bear football game on a Monday night. It was a birthday gift. At first, I was reluctant to go but changed my mind. I took him and 2 friends to see the game. I was really in awe of the stadium, food and the price of a ticket. So much changed including those who attend. The people in front of me were constantly on their phones: texting, taking selfies and videos. I thought to myself, wtf - just enjoy the game! This isn't the football I use to know.

[ckelly78z]

Originally Posted by jcommin

The people in front of me were constantly on their phones: texting, taking selfies and videos. I thought to myself, wtf - just enjoy the game! This isn't the football I use to know.

I went to race at SVRA historics Mid Ohio and was amazed at how many people were attempting to capture the moment on their tiny phone screens while 700 HP vintage Cobras and Corvettes roared through the "S" turns about 50 feet away ?

[fintstone]

When I was a child and not in school, I was working. My parents kept us very busy working around the house and as a teen, for others/pay. If there was not some immediate task to do and I could sneak away...I was playing or practicing some sort of sport. I would have played ball...of some sort 24 hrs a day if allowed. When it rained, at night and on the school bus, I read books. I thought those who watched a lot of TV odd. Children/teens who live on facebook/smart phones, etc seem like they will grow up odd and poorly developed physically and mentally. The internet is for old people to waste their time... like here in OT. Young men should be out working...or playing ball and chasing women.

[Rick Lee]

Just 30 min. ago I was pulling into the aisle to park at the local Fry's and two women close to my mom's age pushed their cart right in front of me while staring at their phones. They were coming out of the store and staring at their phones like no cars existed. I don't want to be the one to do it, but I wish some inattentive motorist would give them a good scare they'd never forget.

[Rickysa]

I was walking around campus waiting to pick my boy up for the weekend killing some time and people watching...everyone had their nose in a phone.

I hate it.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by fintstone

Young men should be out working...or playing ball and chasing women.

and taking women to the range.

[JavaBrewer]

Not just smart phones but mobile technology in general. Back in the days before the first iPhone, remember Nokia , I was in Japan and noticed that >90% of the folks in the train were busy texting on their phones...the old school way with overloaded number keys. No books, no socializing (yeah I know JPN does not appreciate public displays), nothing but phones or sleep.

Ruined a generation, hell no. Any kid today not fully competent with technology will have bigger issues going forward. I agree with Vash, the older generation is at threat. Things like making a phone call, or turning on the TV and tuning a channel, are much harder for many of them.

Edit - my biggest peave are folks in restaurants on their phones ignoring the folks seated with them. Wife and I were out a few weeks ago and noticed this attractive couple in their mid 20's on an obvious date. The guy spent all his time on his phone texting. After ~ 30 minutes the girl got up and left with her food and drink still on the table.

[fintstone]

I differentiate between socializing on a phone and the ability to use technology. At least one generally leaves a computer behind when they eat, exercise, travel, etc. Kids cannot walk from one building to another without their phone/texting. You could train a monkey to use a cell phone.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

Just 30 min. ago I was pulling into the aisle to park at the local Fry's and two women close to my mom's age pushed their cart right in front of me while staring at their phones. They were coming out of the store and staring at their phones like no cars existed. I don't want to be the one to do it, but I wish some inattentive motorist would give them a good scare they'd never forget.

Exactly. The stupidity associated with cell phones isn't just kids, it applies to all ages.

[GH85Carrera]

My wife and I eat out someplace nice every Friday. A few weeks back I noticed a table of four, it looked like mom, dad, son and daughter. All four of them were busy poking on their phones. They were not looking at each other at all and I shook my head.

On the other hand my wife and I have been married over 26 years. She is retired, I work in my home office. We are together most of the time. We don't need to discuss how each of our day's went when we are in the same house. We have told all the stories and anecdotes to each other many times over the years.

My business is run through my cell phone and if I get a text message or email that is important, I deal with it. So we sat there at the same restaurant both poking on our phones, but I was doing a short email and she had a text message from a friend. To any outsider we looked like two bored teenagers, only with a LOT of grey hair.

[oldE]

Aside from the concerns expressed, I would raise the question about the vulnerability the act of dumping large amounts of personal information on the Web.
I was listening to a podcast last week in which a private detective was challenged to come up with information on the interviewer. The detective said in minutes he had her SIN all of her addresses for the past five years, family connections and other information.
Someone will try to make money from mining this sort of information.
Someone probably already is.
Best
Les

[Baz]

A point worth making, IMHO, is the aspect of good manners as it relates to smart phone usage.

I have witnessed both ends of the spectrum.

People who carry their phones with them and leave their ringer on even while conversing with others or attending a social or business function. Phone rings and they pull it out - and either dismiss the call - or answer it.

No no no.......that's not how you do it. If you must have it with you - leave it on vibrate mode. I don't want to hear your ringtone, dummy.

And if you must keep checking to see who is calling - fine - but more times than not - that isn't necessary nor is answering the phone call necessary. You boob.

Hey - trust me - we ALL understand that we now have all this wonderful technology. But it doesn't mean you abandon what is considered to be proper social etiquette.

==========

That said - it reminds me of something I often find myself saying:

"I have to make allowances for people - you know - because of who they are."

[rcooled]

Originally Posted by Yorkie

You do realize that back in the 50s Old People complained about the damage rock n roll music was doing to kids and that Old People complained about kids watching TV and that Old People complained about video games...

Yes, all this is very true. One big difference is that those kids back then had to be in a specific place to listen to R&R music, or to watch TV, or to play video games. They were pretty much focused on only that one thing. Now, the smartphone is intruding into just about EVERYTHING people do. It seems that no one these days can do anything or go anywhere without having to continually stop to read a text, check a tweet watch a video, or in some way be distracted from what's happening around them. The mobile device is fast becoming the one most important thing in so many people's lives.

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

I was at a Rush concert once where the d'bag next to me was not only holding his phone up to film the whole thing, he was narrating it like some sports commentator.

Seems like a big reason many people go out and actually do something is only so that they can post up on social media about it.

Originally Posted by speeder

13 year old girls who don't GAF about the various types of airplanes flying overhead!

If that's the case, I wonder why they even bothered going to the event in the first place?

Originally Posted by speeder

What I see is young people managing technology a lot better than their parents.

'Managing' it? They're being consumed and manipulated by it and they don't even realize it. And it's not only young people either. While walking along the small craft harbor jetty the other day, I came up on a couple who were probably in their 80s. They were both so absorbed in their phones that they could hardly walk 10ft without having to stop and stare at the screen extra closely for a minute before continuing to walk. Even the beach and the Pacific Ocean couldn't compete with that little device


A father & son...oblivious to the setting Sun and the ocean right in front of them.

[scottmandue]

https://www.theonion.com/accidentally-closing-browser-window-with-23-tabs-open-p-1819579454?utm_content=Main&utm_campaign=SF&utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=SocialMarketing

[scottmandue]

Found it:



and more:

[onewhippedpuppy]

No cellphone service here!!!




Someone on this forum once made the comment that we are the strange ones, and that most of society has no real interests, hobbies, or passions. That the majority generally sits around each night watching reality tv with a dribble of drool in the corner of their mouth. It's a rather frightening thought but there's also probably some truth to it, as this thread doesn't describe my family, my friends, or my kids' friends. And so I wonder if the drug of choice is simply shifting from tv to smartphone. I still argue that this is overall much ado about nothing, and that in another generation there will be something else to complain about. By then I'll be old, so maybe I'll chime in too!

[ckelly78z]

We like to go camping during better weather. It's amazing how many phone lit faces are sitting around campfires on a cloudless, starry night, not appreciating the friends, and family sitting next to them, or the sheer beauty of a National Park at dusk.

I fear this will be the case on my family's trip (10 people) to a big luxury cabin in the Tennesee Smokey Mountains in June. I seem to be the only one that can sit in a chair, and just enjoy the sights and sounds of nature from the large wrap around deck, or while on a hike. Maybe I should make a no electronics rule. Even at advanced ages, my inlaws are guilty of this.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by ckelly78z

I fear this will be the case on my family's trip (10 people) to a big luxury cabin in the Tennesee Smokey Mountains in June. I seem to be the only one that can sit in a chair, and just enjoy the sights and sounds of nature from the large wrap around deck, or while on a hike. Maybe I should make a no electronics rule. Even at advanced ages, my inlaws are guilty of this.

Sounds like a nice peaceful night to me.

[Tervuren]

[QUOTE=ckelly78z;9971207]We like to go camping during better weather. It's amazing how many phone lit faces are sitting around campfires on a cloudless, starry night, not appreciating the friends, and family sitting next to them, or the sheer beauty of a National Park at dusk.
[quote]

Ehh, humans absorb the atmosphere of a nice place.

This is like saying I can't enjoy the beautiful Carolina's because I'm driving a sports car instead of sitting by the side of the road in a chair.

They probably are still enjoying being out.

I fear this will be the case on my family's trip (10 people) to a big luxury cabin in the Tennesee Smokey Mountains in June. I seem to be the only one that can sit in a chair, and just enjoy the sights and sounds of nature from the large wrap around deck, or while on a hike. Maybe I should make a no electronics rule. Even at advanced ages, my inlaws are guilty of this.

If you are in charge, by all means do so. It can take 2-3 days for people to come off the habit of checking their phones, if it is a week long trip do it, if it is 2 days it won't do much except make people antsy.