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This comes off as judgemental and condescending. I'm not much younger and came of age just before PDAs and smartphones changed the world. My life was and is ful

This comes off as judgemental and condescending. I'm not much younger and came of age just before PDAs and smartphones changed the world. My life was and is full of other activities, yet I now use the phone hours per day. And it is an enhancement in most every way: language translation (bilingual household), security (MFA and a deterant when out late alone), news, fact checking, broader social network (albeit some "only" virtual), communication with distant friends and family, learning home improvement, a safe escape when feeling overwhelmed by extroverts, etc. Past generations were probably pearl clutching over people with their faces in a book or newspaper "constantly". "Get back to working in the factory!" 12h per day until you die. "Look up at this beautiful scenery on our hike!" Same as the past 3 hours of scenery. Of course the solution is to stigmatize these worthless book worms! /s Cut the kids some slack, they are exploring both a physical and virtual world. The former of which they often have little control or freedom. (Depending on parents, peers, and local culture.) My hope is smart glasses or contacts will become more capable and accepted. Then we can enjoy the benefits and the "real" world together more seamlessly. Isn't that what all tools are for, to enhance our lives?

abhaynayar 4y ago
I didn't feel it was judgemental or condescending at all. Can you quote exactly what about it felt that way to you? As for the generational differences, I agree to some extent. But we can't stop thinking about it at that point... Just because older generations complain about newer generations, doesn't mean we stop thinking about non generational factors. These technologies have taken over the world in the last few decades. Our brains have been the same for at least 100,000 years. We need to be more vigilant about the negative effects of disruptive and exponentially growing technologies. It's good to wield the positive side of technology (translation, security, facts, communication). But that's not the problem. The problem is companies who are creating algorithms that can easily overpower our human brain. Their incentives are not aligned with the mental health and well-being of society.
skeeter2020 4y ago
Here's the difference though: you take exception and list a diverse set of uses where your phone helps. That doesn't reflect the relatity of how people use their phones though; it's a collection of apps around social media and an evolving selection of ad-supported, click-to-win games with short lifetimes. Your inclusion of "fact checking" is actually kind of funny, as the limited sources used by almost everyone could be termed more "opinion entrenching". >> Cut the kids some slack, they are exploring both a physical and virtual world If this was true I wouldn't have a lot of valid objections but coming out of 2 years of Covid distancing it's just not reality. >> Isn't that what all tools are for, to enhance our lives? That's what you want from them, but is that what social networks are delivering?

abhaynayar 4y ago

I didn't feel it was judgemental or condescending at all. Can you quote exactly what about it felt that way to you? As for the generational differences, I agree to some extent. But we can't stop thinking about it at that point... Just because older generations complain about newer generations, doesn't mean we stop thinking about non generational factors. These technologies have taken over the world in the last few decades. Our brains have been the same for at least 100,000 years. We need to be more vigilant about the negative effects of disruptive and exponentially growing technologies. It's good to wield the positive side of technology (translation, security, facts, communication). But that's not the problem. The problem is companies who are creating algorithms that can easily overpower our human brain. Their incentives are not aligned with the mental health and well-being of society.

skeeter2020 4y ago

Here's the difference though: you take exception and list a diverse set of uses where your phone helps. That doesn't reflect the relatity of how people use their phones though; it's a collection of apps around social media and an evolving selection of ad-supported, click-to-win games with short lifetimes. Your inclusion of "fact checking" is actually kind of funny, as the limited sources used by almost everyone could be termed more "opinion entrenching". >> Cut the kids some slack, they are exploring both a physical and virtual world If this was true I wouldn't have a lot of valid objections but coming out of 2 years of Covid distancing it's just not reality. >> Isn't that what all tools are for, to enhance our lives? That's what you want from them, but is that what social networks are delivering?