6 ms·

Block social media, people would look up from their cell phones. Block map sites, people would ask others for directions. Block movie streaming sites and people

by acd 8y ago

Block social media, people would look up from their cell phones. Block map sites, people would ask others for directions. Block movie streaming sites and people would get to the cinema more often. The thought is that technology replaces human interactions and that is not always good because it might lead to less people to people communication. Religious services also made people come together in the community but nowadays people are less religious.

HumanDrivenDev 8y ago
Block social media, people would look up from their cell phones. People were walking around looking at their cellphones before smartphones or social media took off. They were sending SMS messages. Or playing snake in monochrome. Or would you ban SMS as well? What about phone calls? Block map sites, people would ask others for directions. Chronically lonely people aren't going to get any meaningful fix asking strangers for directions. Block movie streaming sites and people would get to the cinema more often. Again, if you are lonely and have no friends, going to the cinema is just being in a room full of strangers. People go with their own groups. It's probably more alienating than just chilling out at home because it emphasizes your loneliness.
- egypturnash 8y ago
  [insert vintage photograph of people riding the train, all with their nose buried in the daily paper or in a book]
kanox 8y ago
I'm not sure if you're serious but such measures sound more like what you would encounter in a cult than modern society.
CM30 8y ago
https://imgur.com/gallery/WkHHpZ1 https://imgur.com/gallery/WkHHpZ1 But seriously, even if you consider phones as more distracting than papers, well keep in mind that many people in cities just don't want to be talked to, especially not on their daily commute or what not. I mean, try striking up a conversation with someone on the Tube when in London. They'll probably look at you as if you're mad, and that's been the case for decades. Hell, they even tried that recently, and people weren't having any of it: https://www.citylab.com/life/2016/09/tube-chat-no-thanks-says-london/502247/ https://www.citylab.com/life/2016/09/tube-chat-no-thanks-say... Makes me wonder if large cities/groups in general kill conversations and people's interest in being social more than anything else.
- liveoneggs 8y ago
  this is funny because chit chat is generally very welcomed on the nyc subway (and practically everywhere else), especially on the weekends when you can talk to tourists and give directions and have nice exchanges. Obviously rush hour isn't a great time to chat but otherwise tons of people just love to talk about anything, anytime. It's highly contrasted to how very very reserved everyone is in Atlanta (my current home) and almost every other US city outside of new york.
  - istorical 8y ago
    I have lived in NYC for more than three years and feel like I've probably only seen a conversation between strangers maybe 5-15 times ever? I take the L and NQRW the most, perhaps this is a hyper-local phenomenon with your line? I do see the 'tourist asks if they can get to ___ on this train' conversation but don't really consider that in the context of the OP.
    - liveoneggs 8y ago
      It's up to you to make a pithy observation + smile or comment on the weather or give up your seat + say hello. Make the subway you want! I rode the A/C & 1/2/3 mostly, fwiw. West side manhattan is just friendlier I guess ;)
- kanox 8y ago
  Cities should also ban papers and force everybody to get news from the town crier or conversations with their neighbors.
- prawn 8y ago
  Doesn't surprise me and it's because the risk outweighs the reward. The people who usually strike up a conversation are scammers or a little crazy. And the chances of converting a conversation from reasonable person into something of value (friendship, a meaningful encounter) is low.
  - 8y ago
1337biz 8y ago
A bit harsh, but some truth in it. I think getting people to speak more with each other in public would lead to a lot more social connections being made. Even simple stuff like installing 2-player games on bus stops/subway stations could boost interaction.

by acd 8y ago

HumanDrivenDev 8y ago

Block social media, people would look up from their cell phones. People were walking around looking at their cellphones before smartphones or social media took off. They were sending SMS messages. Or playing snake in monochrome. Or would you ban SMS as well? What about phone calls? Block map sites, people would ask others for directions. Chronically lonely people aren't going to get any meaningful fix asking strangers for directions. Block movie streaming sites and people would get to the cinema more often. Again, if you are lonely and have no friends, going to the cinema is just being in a room full of strangers. People go with their own groups. It's probably more alienating than just chilling out at home because it emphasizes your loneliness.

egypturnash 8y ago
[insert vintage photograph of people riding the train, all with their nose buried in the daily paper or in a book]

kanox 8y ago

I'm not sure if you're serious but such measures sound more like what you would encounter in a cult than modern society.

CM30 8y ago

https://imgur.com/gallery/WkHHpZ1 https://imgur.com/gallery/WkHHpZ1 But seriously, even if you consider phones as more distracting than papers, well keep in mind that many people in cities just don't want to be talked to, especially not on their daily commute or what not. I mean, try striking up a conversation with someone on the Tube when in London. They'll probably look at you as if you're mad, and that's been the case for decades. Hell, they even tried that recently, and people weren't having any of it: https://www.citylab.com/life/2016/09/tube-chat-no-thanks-says-london/502247/ https://www.citylab.com/life/2016/09/tube-chat-no-thanks-say... Makes me wonder if large cities/groups in general kill conversations and people's interest in being social more than anything else.

liveoneggs 8y ago
this is funny because chit chat is generally very welcomed on the nyc subway (and practically everywhere else), especially on the weekends when you can talk to tourists and give directions and have nice exchanges. Obviously rush hour isn't a great time to chat but otherwise tons of people just love to talk about anything, anytime. It's highly contrasted to how very very reserved everyone is in Atlanta (my current home) and almost every other US city outside of new york.
- istorical 8y ago
  I have lived in NYC for more than three years and feel like I've probably only seen a conversation between strangers maybe 5-15 times ever? I take the L and NQRW the most, perhaps this is a hyper-local phenomenon with your line? I do see the 'tourist asks if they can get to ___ on this train' conversation but don't really consider that in the context of the OP.
  - liveoneggs 8y ago
    It's up to you to make a pithy observation + smile or comment on the weather or give up your seat + say hello. Make the subway you want! I rode the A/C & 1/2/3 mostly, fwiw. West side manhattan is just friendlier I guess ;)
kanox 8y ago
Cities should also ban papers and force everybody to get news from the town crier or conversations with their neighbors.
prawn 8y ago
Doesn't surprise me and it's because the risk outweighs the reward. The people who usually strike up a conversation are scammers or a little crazy. And the chances of converting a conversation from reasonable person into something of value (friendship, a meaningful encounter) is low.
- 8y ago

1337biz 8y ago

A bit harsh, but some truth in it. I think getting people to speak more with each other in public would lead to a lot more social connections being made. Even simple stuff like installing 2-player games on bus stops/subway stations could boost interaction.