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The open question is what technology replaces? For example what does social media replace? Does it replace real in person interaction between friends? Does it

by acd 9y ago

The open question is what technology replaces? For example what does social media replace? Does it replace real in person interaction between friends? Does it replace calling someone with text? Does it replace opportunities to meet up and connect in person? What does Netflix and streaming video apps replace, did it replace going with your friends to the video store renting a movie together? What does online shopping replace? Does it replace real human interaction asking someone in a physical store for advice what to purchase? These questions are going to get more real as we get more robotics and automation around us. If you work remote most of the time, then all interactions will be through online chat rooms. Coworking is a solution to that.

eezurr 9y ago
Your thoughts reflect my own questions about technology. I feel every year, a tiny bit of my agency is chipped away through automation or simplification. I feel like every (in person) human interaction we have refreshes our ability to communicate and connect with people, and probably makes the brain happy on some primal/chemical level. Bit by bit, these brief interactions are being removed from our lives (self checkouts, online shopping, google maps/GPS, online dating etc). I thought having more time to focus on myself would be great--and it was, on the surface. But now I see great importance in smiling and saying hello to a cashier, or stopping a stranger to ask for directions. The eye contact.. the warmth of another human. It's really important.
proverbialbunny 9y ago
Sure, it replaces some things, but not what is imho important for shaving off depression and anxiety and probably a lot more than I know. When people physically hang out, be it at meetups, or something similar, there is a sort of physical activity and energy that reduces (or even removes) depression for days at a time in many people. (I think the trick is to socialize in a non-judgemental atmosphere.) I'm probably biased as I regularly went to meetups and traveled, but I've worked remote, and I did not have any problems with it on the loneliness front. If anything, it helped reduce my anxiety and depression because I was experiencing less shallow faceless conversations, and instead my social interactions were me being me talking about my day or geeking out about something. When you come to expect social to be that positive experience, instead of a chore, anxiety goes down, and from that depression can too.

by acd 9y ago

eezurr 9y ago

Your thoughts reflect my own questions about technology. I feel every year, a tiny bit of my agency is chipped away through automation or simplification. I feel like every (in person) human interaction we have refreshes our ability to communicate and connect with people, and probably makes the brain happy on some primal/chemical level. Bit by bit, these brief interactions are being removed from our lives (self checkouts, online shopping, google maps/GPS, online dating etc). I thought having more time to focus on myself would be great--and it was, on the surface. But now I see great importance in smiling and saying hello to a cashier, or stopping a stranger to ask for directions. The eye contact.. the warmth of another human. It's really important.

proverbialbunny 9y ago

Sure, it replaces some things, but not what is imho important for shaving off depression and anxiety and probably a lot more than I know. When people physically hang out, be it at meetups, or something similar, there is a sort of physical activity and energy that reduces (or even removes) depression for days at a time in many people. (I think the trick is to socialize in a non-judgemental atmosphere.) I'm probably biased as I regularly went to meetups and traveled, but I've worked remote, and I did not have any problems with it on the loneliness front. If anything, it helped reduce my anxiety and depression because I was experiencing less shallow faceless conversations, and instead my social interactions were me being me talking about my day or geeking out about something. When you come to expect social to be that positive experience, instead of a chore, anxiety goes down, and from that depression can too.