Technological monsters are born.

Posted on: March 28, 2008 12:33 pm

Edited on: March 28, 2008 6:57 pm

So I am sitting here pondering just what would be a good first entry in this, my very first blog. What I should be doing is coming up with a hypothesis for the effect of a forest fire on snow pack, but this just seems so much more inviting, and less troublesome. Besides, blogging is probably one of the best examples of free-form, stream-of-conscious writing, and really doesn't take that much brain power, does it?

My conjecture is that as more and more of our lives are consumed and intertwined with technology, (i.e. cell phones, e-mail, text messages, chat, etc.), less time is left in our day to actually have face to face interactions, and to some degree, friendships. Walk around a college campus sometime, like for instance, the University of Arizona. You will be astounded to see that people just don't make eye contact, are oblivious to their surroundings because they are ALWAYS on their cell phones, and avoid any type of interaction with people, unless they already know them. I remember vividly seeing a cute girl on a bicycle, riding one handed while trying to text someone on her phone, and crashing into a group of students that were walking to class. I had to wonder what text was made that was so damn important, that she just could not wait until, a- she stopped her bicycle, or b- she reached her destination. That is just one example, but I literally have hundreds more. My point is that these students have their friends that they are comfortable with, and therefore they don't need to interact with the rest of the world, unless they want something; even then, the probability of them suspending their conversations long enough to appear polite is nearly non-existent. I'm sure most of you have different ideas on when we should or should not be on our cell phones, but I'm guessing that we would mostly agree that a meeting with the dean is more important than sorority gossip. This isn't always the case, and I have witnessed it first hand.

So how do you handle rude people that are on their cellphones all of the time? If I take time out of my day to go to lunch with someone, face to face, not these web lunches I hear about, unless it is an emergency, they better not waste a minute of my time texting someone else, or taking another conversation. It is like 'call waiting', but on a more personal level. That text message is nowhere near as important as face-to-face contact with another human being. How about when 'dad' takes his kid to lunch, and is on the phone for 20 minutes sorting out some work problem. What kind of message is he sending his son? That infuriates me more than these other idiots, combined.

Where and when does technology fit into a civil society?

Category: General

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msb091 Reputation: 0 Level: Amateur Since: Sep 5, 2006	Posted on: March 28, 2008 3:48 pm Score: 0 This comment has been removed. Technological monsters are born.
Rsoxrule Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Nov 12, 2006	Posted on: March 28, 2008 4:22 pm Score: 93 Technological monsters are born. Funny ..but I am probably one of the few who dont really have a cell phone.. I have a preload..that is just for emergencies for me( stranded or for the likes of that) ..only a few even have that number.. Its bad enough that my home phone rings constantly..My phone at work rings just as much... The phone company always bothers me wanting me to sign up and get one..and I will tell you what I tell them.. the most peace and quiet I get is in my car..Now why would I want to lose that ... If you really need to get a hold of me....to do it the old fashion way...come over..the door is always open.. (well not literally lol ) But... I really do like this ipod my brother finally gave in and gave me... [ Reply to Comment ]
vwcats Reputation: 96 Level: Superstar Since: Jul 31, 2007	Posted on: March 28, 2008 6:18 pm Score: 91 Technological monsters are born. Way to go with 1st blog. Very insightful and rings true (or was that my cell phone ringing?) Unfortunately technology keeps moving even if we do not want it to, and will get left behind. Recall your parents and the blinkin 12:00 because they could not figure out how to set the clock. That's why you need to have kids, so they can figure all of these new fangled things out. You are correct that "common courtesy" with cell phones, texting, etc no longer seems to apply, but IMO this may not bother the ones who continually text and phone while they are with other people. It may be a generational thing. Just some thoughts and keeps up the insightful blogging. [ Reply to Comment ]
dirtysheets Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Jul 11, 2007	Posted on: March 28, 2008 9:03 pm Score: 90 Technological monsters are born. I completely agree that it is getting out of hand. I just graduated from a big school (WVU 30,000 enrolled) and I found it astonishing that over half the students were on their phone walking to class, as soon as class was over, and even texting during class. Maybe it's fashionable but it's not "cool" to me. It is crazy that people will be short or ignorant towards you because they have to tell their friend about what they did last night. Sure I text and use my cell phone, but it doesn't mean I lose awareness of what is real in front of me. The whole face-to-face interaction and meaningful conversation is losing the battle to a technological deviant when it comes to social society, especially among our youth. I think this is a good topic and blog Lute. There is a line where technology interferes. [ Reply to Comment ]
AZCATSFAN Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: Aug 16, 2006	Posted on: March 29, 2008 4:29 am Score: 94 Technological monsters are born. I got out of class about three weeks ago around noon and was walking through a busy crowd by Old Main when I glanced over and saw some girl on a bicycle run head-on into a guy on another bike. He flew right off and just sat there for a moment. I felt terrible for both of them. Hundreds of people were walking by. Some laughing, some trying not to make a fuss about it, and, I'm sure, a few pulling out their cell phones to snap a picture. Cell phones are annoying, but it's too late now. There's no turning back the clock now, Snake. How about a dad during a lunch meeting with a client taking his kid's call? [ Reply to Comment ]
diggoryhuffle Reputation: 93 Level: All-Star Since: Dec 1, 2006	Posted on: March 29, 2008 12:09 pm Score: 90 Technological monsters are born. Lute, I unfortunately contribute to the cell phone world. But I have to say, I have manners. Some of the extremes I see are when people actually talk on their cell phone while at a movie at the movie theatre. It's bad enough when you leave the theatre to take the call (that you shouldn't have known you got because the phone should be off...but we won't go there) but to take the call IN the theatre? That's lame. I also see people texting people while in class. That's also lame. Granted, there are some classes that are boring BEYOND boring, but you paid for the class, you may as well get your money's worth right? Think about it, if someone asks for your address what do you give them: your street address or your email address? Technology has made our lives easier and people are easier to contact faster, but I agree that there is a point where it becomes too much. There's no way to change this, we just have to deal with this as it comes. In theory it could be that there are a few people ruining the image of society for everyone, but the people that are doing what is right are being overshadowed by the people that are rude. It's hard to get noticed for doing the right thing....... [ Reply to Comment ]
Badger_colorado Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 24, 2007	Posted on: March 29, 2008 6:48 pm Score: 92 Technological monsters are born. Is it rude if it's accepted as common practice? The world is becoming a more rude place based on how I was raised, but since the next generation sees texting and taking phone calls as normal every day life, my upbringing will eventually disappear like the Dodo. If I'm involved in a group conversation and somebody takes a text and sends another, I don't take it as being rude. However, if I'm with another person, in the middle of a conversation, and their face goes slack as they pull out their phone, check the message and proceed to ignore me, I consider that to be extremely rude. In fact, all they have to do is say "do you mind if I check my message" and I'm good to go. I don't need to hear myself talk that badly. Unfortunately, too many people just take it for granted that you'll shut up while they take care of their text. Or worse yet, they just don't give a crap what you're saying. Talking in a movie theater? That's justifiable assault and battery material in my mind. Where it becomes a serious issue is in situations like TWO of you have already described, where the practice endangers other people. Riding a bicycle while texting and plowing into someone. Texting while in the car and drifting over into the other lane. Texting while you cross the street. It's gotten to the point where, if I see a car acting erratically, I can guarantee that they are on their phone. Those are atrocious examples of not giving a crap about the safety of other people. But, for the most part, I think that technology has the capacity to bring people together, too. I receive texts from friends in other states during football games. I email people I'd never call. I'm in day to day contact with people who I might talk to once a month (I HATE talking on the phone). I can meet people out easier because I don't have to set a specific time and place to meet them, but rather I can just shoot 'em a text or a phone call. So, to me, the benefits outweigh the negatives. People just have to learn that it's o.k. to ignore a message. It'll be there in an hour when you're done with lunch. The world will not end if you wait until class is over to text your friends (although texting is probably just a way to kill time in class...back in my day we just skipped, which makes me wonder about the intelligence of some kids since I'd much rather be on my couch than sitting in a lecture hall not paying attention). Mostly, though, we all have to adapt to the new way of life, I guess. [ Reply to Comment ]
msb091 Reputation: 0 Level: Amateur Since: Sep 5, 2006	Posted on: March 29, 2008 8:50 pm Score: 95 This comment has been removed. Technological monsters are born.
nebline Reputation: 96 Level: Superstar Since: Aug 12, 2006	Posted on: March 29, 2008 9:19 pm Score: 87 Technological monsters are born. Where and when does technology fit into a civil society? Civil society>? Whenever & Wherever it wants too! [ Reply to Comment ]
lute_rulez Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: Nov 4, 2006	Posted on: March 30, 2008 12:01 pm Score: 91 Technological monsters are born. Rule, I was ready to give up my cell phone all together,and just get a prepaid phone for emergency purposes. I hate being on a leash. You women keep it really short. But then, to my chagrin and joy, the iPhone came out. Now it as essential to me as underwear. [ Reply to Comment ]