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I think this is an fascinating phase in our adjustment to truly ubiquitous mobile computing. A big part of the problem, in my opinion is how "social networking"

I think this is an fascinating phase in our adjustment to truly ubiquitous mobile computing. A big part of the problem, in my opinion is how "social networking" (which happens to be massive part of being "connected") is heavily based on reputation, at least for we the users. We want to get validation from others in form of likes, upvotes, positive comments, and shares, specifically because Social networks encourage this. They have designed their interaction models around this system, because its like crack ... literally, the dopamine shots you get from these activities keep you coming back for more. We're so focused on chasing the next social network "high" that we forget to actually pause and just "be". I'm not sure how it will pan out, I imagine that eventually just like with everything else, there will be a backlash against this kind of behavior so that social networking in the future might actually focus on fostering deeper interactions with others instead of trying to double "page views" and "engagement" I for one do not do much social networking, texting or whatever when I'm interacting with an experience or a person, thats just how I am. I do however try to get some memories of those experiences down because human memory is so terrible. This is why I'm not sure how I feel about recording concerts. On one hand those are once-in-a-lifetime experiences that I've found I can't relive without getting them down in video or photo (I rewatch my favorite concerts all the time and am immensely thankful I took the time to record them). On the other hand, I realize that people who want to get their social network high, will abuse the privilege to get a few more likes on instagram or facebook. Its a toughie, and I realize I'm an outlier because I have begun to see the zombie-like behavior in younger people (I'm on the high end of the Millenial generation) ... I dated a girl who was constantly on her phone, and it was really really weird because that had never happened to me before. I also see young kids these days standing around at a starbucks huddled around their iphone screens, giggling over snapchat and instagram. Again, that was very wierd to see. So I'm not sure what the resolution is, but I do realize that it really is a developing problem, where I might have completely dismissed it as hogwash just a year or two ago. Sorry for the meandering comment :\

lukifer 13y ago
In essence, wearable computing (remember when that was a fantasy?) has been displacing television as the societal drug of choice. In both cases, the technology's effect on brain chemistry is literally overwhelming for many (or most). Obviously the genie's not going back in the bottle; we'll have to learn to live with the costs of our marvellous creations, and create personal and social habits to mititage their side effects. So it goes.
- ef4 13y ago
  Your contrast with television is astute. People who complain that digital technology leaves us isolated have it completely backward. Digital technology is slowly giving us back some of the interconnectedness that we lost to television, cars, and suburbs.
  - bostik 13y ago
    > People who complain that digital technology leaves us isolated have it completely backward. Digital technology is slowly giving us back some of the interconnectedness that we lost I am not entirely certain whether the two are mutually exclusive. Sure, we're regaining the ability to interact with other people on a nearly universal (or maybe just "global") scale. But at the same time we're not really giving them the attention they might deserve. Or need. The same advances that allow us to constantly communicate with one another? They have also made it easier to ignore people without suffering from social discomfort. It's easier to just get distracted by yet-another-shiny-thing if we lose our interest, even momentarily, for any reason at all.
marincounty 13y ago
It wasen't meandering. I think I'd rather be alone than with someone who's always on the phone, or screen.

lukifer 13y ago

In essence, wearable computing (remember when that was a fantasy?) has been displacing television as the societal drug of choice. In both cases, the technology's effect on brain chemistry is literally overwhelming for many (or most). Obviously the genie's not going back in the bottle; we'll have to learn to live with the costs of our marvellous creations, and create personal and social habits to mititage their side effects. So it goes.

ef4 13y ago
Your contrast with television is astute. People who complain that digital technology leaves us isolated have it completely backward. Digital technology is slowly giving us back some of the interconnectedness that we lost to television, cars, and suburbs.
- bostik 13y ago
  > People who complain that digital technology leaves us isolated have it completely backward. Digital technology is slowly giving us back some of the interconnectedness that we lost I am not entirely certain whether the two are mutually exclusive. Sure, we're regaining the ability to interact with other people on a nearly universal (or maybe just "global") scale. But at the same time we're not really giving them the attention they might deserve. Or need. The same advances that allow us to constantly communicate with one another? They have also made it easier to ignore people without suffering from social discomfort. It's easier to just get distracted by yet-another-shiny-thing if we lose our interest, even momentarily, for any reason at all.

marincounty 13y ago

It wasen't meandering. I think I'd rather be alone than with someone who's always on the phone, or screen.