3 ms·

>> it's highly unlikely he's doing the same thing for those 12 hours This may seem like a safe assumption but if we abstract to the core of "continually monito

by skeeter2020 4y ago

>> it's highly unlikely he's doing the same thing for those 12 hours This may seem like a safe assumption but if we abstract to the core of "continually monitoring a loose network of 3+ degrees removed people for fear of missing out" I don't think they are doing anything diverse with their phones. Your own use of a computer is far different: kids and young adults are doing no coding; research (beyond asking Siri random, shallow questions); or monitoring, communicating, meeting, media consumption outside of these social networks. The homogeneous, consumption-focused all-consuming aspects are my real concerns. It's the Fentanyl of the 3-channel TV universe that I grew up with.

bonoboTP 4y ago
That nitpick is a bit like when people say BMI is invalid as an indicator for overweightness because bodybuilders are also categorized as obese by BMI. Except the confusion is impossible in case of a regular person. Similarly, there can be good reasons for being 12 hours on screens, but it will be obvious and exceptional. Yes an 18 year old may be a successful entrepreneur, video maker podcast host influencer who is reading ebooks for research or sending out emails or editing videos or programming a website in those hours but we are clearly not talking about that, but FOMO social media scrolling. There can be good reasons for hyperobsessing over a single issue in life, but you better have a damn good reason for it, like being a successful athlete or chess player or e-sport player or whatever. And it will still be a sacrifice that's only worth it if you are truly exceptional and there's a high chance you aren't. The question is, are those hours bringing an improvement to your life, are they bringing you closer to achieving meaningful life goals or are they a distraction from focus and life organization, and a suppression of quality of life and achievement.
- NoraCodes 4y ago
  > Yes an 18 year old may be a successful entrepreneur, video maker podcast host influencer who is reading ebooks for research or sending out emails or editing videos or programming a website in those hours but we are clearly not talking about that Aren't we? I heard the same comments from my parents when I was learning to program and even when I was going to school online. I think a lot of older folks genuinely don't understand how many different activities are mediated by computers.

bonoboTP 4y ago

That nitpick is a bit like when people say BMI is invalid as an indicator for overweightness because bodybuilders are also categorized as obese by BMI. Except the confusion is impossible in case of a regular person. Similarly, there can be good reasons for being 12 hours on screens, but it will be obvious and exceptional. Yes an 18 year old may be a successful entrepreneur, video maker podcast host influencer who is reading ebooks for research or sending out emails or editing videos or programming a website in those hours but we are clearly not talking about that, but FOMO social media scrolling. There can be good reasons for hyperobsessing over a single issue in life, but you better have a damn good reason for it, like being a successful athlete or chess player or e-sport player or whatever. And it will still be a sacrifice that's only worth it if you are truly exceptional and there's a high chance you aren't. The question is, are those hours bringing an improvement to your life, are they bringing you closer to achieving meaningful life goals or are they a distraction from focus and life organization, and a suppression of quality of life and achievement.

NoraCodes 4y ago
> Yes an 18 year old may be a successful entrepreneur, video maker podcast host influencer who is reading ebooks for research or sending out emails or editing videos or programming a website in those hours but we are clearly not talking about that Aren't we? I heard the same comments from my parents when I was learning to program and even when I was going to school online. I think a lot of older folks genuinely don't understand how many different activities are mediated by computers.