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There's lots of evidence that people in their early 20s and under are psychologically different than older people (higher rates of anxiety/depression at the sam

There's lots of evidence that people in their early 20s and under are psychologically different than older people (higher rates of anxiety/depression at the same age, etc.). Anecdotally, I've noticed that people don't talk to strangers as much on planes anymore as when I was a child. I guess you could argue that technology isn't to blame, but technology changes people. And it's hard not to use technology when it's so pervasive. At work I have a hard time not eating donuts when someone brings them in. Technology is similar. If everyone around you is on their phone or facebook or whatever it takes a lot of willpower/willingness to be different to not do the same.

vorotato 9y ago
Or it could be the fact that they paid 11 times as much as their parents for college and then couldn't get a job. Technology is a common scapegoat, it's not that it has 0 effect on us. Obviously fear of missing out is a real thing. However its almost never the dominating problem in our lives.
floatboth 9y ago
Did people really talk to strangers on public transportation back in the old days? Or did they actually read books, magazines and newspapers?
- oh_sigh 9y ago
  Random NYC shot from the 50s: http://i.imgur.com/SoG7Yqh.jpg http://i.imgur.com/SoG7Yqh.jpg
eeZah7Ux 9y ago
You are confusing technology, defined as "the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes", with smartphone/OS design choices taken by companies that want to create addiction in users.
ahartman00 9y ago
Not sure if there is any research, but I have noticed that younger people seem to be more open to talking about mental illnesses like depression. I have even seen people on Twitch talking about their illness to the chat! That was unthinkable in my day, and I'm only in my low 30's. If there is less stigma in admitting it, people are going to come forward more. Thus more cases are recorded. Which is good, as then they can get help. I remember people saying you need to see a shrink as an insult. Imagine people making fun of you for seeing a doctor about your broken leg!

vorotato 9y ago

Or it could be the fact that they paid 11 times as much as their parents for college and then couldn't get a job. Technology is a common scapegoat, it's not that it has 0 effect on us. Obviously fear of missing out is a real thing. However its almost never the dominating problem in our lives.

floatboth 9y ago

Did people really talk to strangers on public transportation back in the old days? Or did they actually read books, magazines and newspapers?

oh_sigh 9y ago
Random NYC shot from the 50s: http://i.imgur.com/SoG7Yqh.jpg http://i.imgur.com/SoG7Yqh.jpg

eeZah7Ux 9y ago

You are confusing technology, defined as "the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes", with smartphone/OS design choices taken by companies that want to create addiction in users.

ahartman00 9y ago

Not sure if there is any research, but I have noticed that younger people seem to be more open to talking about mental illnesses like depression. I have even seen people on Twitch talking about their illness to the chat! That was unthinkable in my day, and I'm only in my low 30's. If there is less stigma in admitting it, people are going to come forward more. Thus more cases are recorded. Which is good, as then they can get help. I remember people saying you need to see a shrink as an insult. Imagine people making fun of you for seeing a doctor about your broken leg!